Honey Pie

"Honey Pie" is a song by the Beatles, from their 1968 eponymous album The Beatles, also known as The White Album. Although credited to Lennon–McCartney, it was composed solely by Paul McCartney.

Interpretation

The song is a direct homage to the British music hall style. It concerns a famed actress, called only by the term of endearment "Honey Pie", who becomes famous in the United States (referred to as 'the U.S.A.' in the song), and her old lover, who wishes for her to rejoin him in England. The premise—a humble admirer yearning for the return of his lover—is not unlike a typical music hall plot. In order to establish an appropriate, old-timey sound, 'crackles' were added to the third line, "Now she's hit the big time!" from a 78 rpm record.^[1]

Recording

Recording began for "Honey Pie" on 1 October 1968, with the Beatles at Trident Studios in London's Wardour Street. Only one take was recorded on the first day, although it is likely that a number of rehearsal attempts had previously been recorded and wiped. The next day, McCartney taped his lead vocals, and a lead guitar part was added. According to George Harrison, John Lennon played the guitar solo.^[2]

Cover versions

The song has been covered by Alan Klein (1969), Barbra Streisand, the King's Singers, the Golden Gate Quartet, Tuck & Patti, and John Pizzarelli, among others. In the 1978 film Sextette, Dom DeLuise performed the song.

Personnel

• Paul McCartney – vocal, piano
• John Lennon – lead guitar, rhythm guitar
• George Harrison – six-stringed bass
• Ringo Starr – drums
• George Martin – clarinet arrangement

Additional

• Harry Klein – saxophone
• Dennis Walton – saxophone
• Ronald Chamberlain – saxophone
• Jim Chester – saxophone
• Rex Morris – saxophone
• Raymond Newman – clarinet
• David Smith – clarinet

Notes

External links

• Alan W. Pollack's Notes on "Honey Pie"