“Honey,” a poignant ballad by Bobby Goldsboro, released in 1968, remains one of the most instantly recognizable and debated songs of the era. Goldsboro, an American pop and country singer-songwriter, was already a familiar face on the music scene, having previously worked as a guitarist in Roy Orbison’s band. While he had other charting hits like “See the Funny Little Clown” and “Little Things,” it was “Honey” that solidified his legacy and cemented his place in pop culture history.
The song tells a sentimental story of a man reflecting on the life and death of his beloved wife, Honey. It’s a vivid, if perhaps idealized, portrait of a woman whose playful spirit and gentle nature brought joy to his life. The lyrics paint a picture of shared memories, from Honey’s mischievous habit of bringing stray animals home to her endearing clumsiness and ultimately, her tragic demise.
“Honey” soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, holding the number one spot for five weeks, and also enjoyed significant success internationally. While the song’s commercial success was undeniable, it also drew strong reactions from listeners, both positive and negative. Some found the song deeply moving, a testament to enduring love and the pain of loss. They connected with the narrator’s heartfelt grief and appreciated the simplicity of the melody. Others, however, found the sentimentality overly saccharine and even manipulative, criticizing the seemingly idealized depiction of Honey and the somewhat maudlin presentation of her death. Regardless of individual opinions, “Honey” remains a powerful example of the era’s penchant for emotionally charged storytelling in popular music.