Honey Don't
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"Honey Don't" is a song written by Carl Perkins, originally released on January 1, 1956 as the B-side of the " Blue Suede Shoes" single, Sun 234. Both songs became
rockabilly Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the Southern United States, South. As a genre, it blends the sound of Western music (North America), Western musi ...
classics. Bill Dahl of
Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
praised the song saying, Honey Don't' actually outclasses its more celebrated platter-mate in some ways." It has been covered by more than 20 other artists, including
the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...
, Ronnie Hawkins and Johnny Rivers. The song has appeared in films such as '' The Prince of Tides'', ''
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'', and '' Perfect Sisters''.


Background

According to David McGee, author of ''Go, Cat, Go! The Life and Times of Carl Perkins, the King of Rockabilly'', Carl Perkins first brought the song to a rehearsal with his band which at the time comprised the Perkins brothers and W. S. Holland: *Carl Perkins – lead guitar and vocals *Jay Perkins – acoustic guitar and backing vocals *Clayton Perkins –
double bass The double bass (), also known as the upright bass, the acoustic bass, the bull fiddle, or simply the bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument, chordophone in the modern orchestra, symphony orchestra (excluding rare additions ...
* W. S. Holland – drums When Carl first played the song to Jay Perkins, Jay protested what sounded to him like an odd chord choice, going to a C7 chord after the E instead of the natural blues progression choice of A. At first, Jay refused to go along, but Carl convinced him it was something different, and today the chord choice is one of the most interesting aspects of the song. Perkins and his band performed the song, along with "Blue Suede Shoes", during their television debut on ABC-TV's '' Ozark Jubilee'' on March 17, 1956.


The Beatles version

The Beatles recorded their version on 26 October 1964 one of the last songs recorded for '' Beatles for Sale'', which was released in the United Kingdom on 4 December 1964. The North American release was on 15 December on '' Beatles '65''. Although
John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and activist. He gained global fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. Lennon's ...
had previously sung the song live, Ringo Starr performed it for the album, his usual one lead vocal per album. During the song, he makes self-referential remarks leading into George Harrison's guitar riffs, saying, "Rock on George, one time for me!" and then "Rock on, George, for Ringo one time!" The Monkees referenced the latter remark leading into the instrumental break of their song "No Time" from their 1967 album ''
Headquarters Headquarters (often referred to as HQ) notes the location where most or all of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. The term is used in a wide variety of situations, including private sector corporations, non-profits, mil ...
''. The Beatles performed the song twice for the BBC for the ''From Us To You'' and ''Top Gear'' programs. A version sung by Lennon is available on '' Live at the BBC''. and a version sung by Starr was released on '' On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2''. As part of the 1985 televised concert '' Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session'', Ringo Starr joined Carl Perkins to perform vocals and play drums for the song. Starr performed a live version of the song, as a tribute to Harrison for their fondness of Perkins, at the Concert for George at London's
Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London, England. It has a seating capacity of 5,272. Since the hall's opening by Queen Victoria in 1871, the world's leading artists from many performance genres ...
in 2002. Along with " Matchbox", "Honey Don't" is one of the rare songs that all four Beatles have separately recorded or performed on stage (see section below).


Personnel

* Ringo Starr – lead vocal, drums, percussion *
John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and activist. He gained global fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. Lennon's ...
– acoustic rhythm guitar *
Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained global fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and the piano, and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John ...
– bass guitar * George Harrison – lead guitar :Personnel per Ian MacDonald


Other covers

* Johnzo West recorded the song for the 2014 '' Perfect Sisters'' movie soundtrack. * Ronnie Hawkins on ''Mr. Dynamo'' album, 1960. * Billy "Crash" Craddock covered the song on his 1986 album '' Crash Craddock''. *
Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band is a live rock music, rock Supergroup (music), supergroup founded in 1989 with shifting personnel, led by former The Beatles, Beatles drummer and vocalist Ringo Starr. History and description Since 1989, Starr ...
, 1989, '' Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band'' 1990 live album, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2010-2011 tours, '' Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session'', 1985, and '' The Concert For George'', 2003. * Johnny Rivers covered the song on his album ''Memphis Sun Recordings'', released in 1991. * Gene Summers performed "Honey Don't", during a live concert, that was filmed and broadcast by Warner Amex Television in 1983. * Ben Folds Five on the collection ''Vault Volume II (1998-2003)''. * Raul Seixas covered the song on his 1975 album '' Novo Aeon''. * T. Rex featuring Marc Bolan recorded the song in 1971; ''Electric Warrior Sessions'' album, 1997. * Wanda Jackson covered the song on her 1964 album ''Two Sides of Wanda Jackson''. *
John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and activist. He gained global fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. Lennon's ...
recorded the song in the 1970s, released on the 2010 remasters collection, '' John Lennon Signature Box''. * Lee Rocker on the 2012 album ''Night Train to Memphis''. * Shakin' Stevens and The Sunsets, CBS single, ''I'm No J.D.'' album, 1971 * Glen Glenn and The Maddox Brothers live on the Squeakin' Deacon Show in 1957. * Vince Taylor recorded the song in 1965. * George Harrison performed the song live on stage in 1987 with the Silver Wilburys at the Palomino Club in Hollywood and with Carl Perkins in 1988. *
Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained global fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and the piano, and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John ...
has performed the song in soundchecks during the On the Run Tour in 2011 and the One on One Tour in 2016. * Eugene Chadbourne, ''There'll Be No Tears Tonight'' album, 1980. * Skitzo, ''Terminal Damage'', 1988 * Johnny Devlin on the Prestige album ''How Would Ya Be''. * Mac Curtis in 1970 as a 45 single on Epic Records, 5-10574. *
Elvis Costello Declan Patrick MacManus (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, author and television host. According to ''Rolling Stone'', Costello "reinvigorated the literate, lyrical ...
performed it with Ricky Skaggs, Brian Setzer, and
Marty Stuart John Marty Stuart (born September 30, 1958) is an American country music, country and bluegrass music singer, songwriter, and musician. Active since 1968, Stuart initially toured with Lester Flatt, and then in Johnny Cash's road band before be ...
at a 1997-02-05 taping for Ricky Skaggs' TV show on TNN. * Joe Walsh with Steve Earle for the motion picture '' The Beverly Hillbillies'', 1993 * A version appears on the 2021 50th anniversary box set '' John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band''.


References

{{authority control 1956 songs Rockabilly songs The Beatles songs Carl Perkins songs Music published by MPL Music Publishing Song recordings produced by George Martin Billy "Crash" Craddock songs Gene Summers songs Songs written by Carl Perkins Song recordings produced by Sam Phillips