Bobby Goldsboro, born in 1941 in Marianna, Florida, is an American pop and country singer-songwriter, renowned for his smooth vocals and sentimental ballads. He achieved significant success in the late 1960s and early 1970s, charting hits like “See the Funny Little Clown,” “Little Things,” and “Watching Scotty Grow.” However, it is “Honey,” released in 1968, that remains his most enduring and controversial legacy.
“Honey” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and also reached number one on the Billboard Easy Listening chart. Its widespread popularity solidified Goldsboro’s place in pop culture and garnered him considerable recognition. While the song wasn’t explicitly nominated for major awards like a Grammy, its commercial success and cultural impact cemented its status as a significant song of the era.
The song tells a heart-wrenching story of a man reminiscing about his deceased wife, Honey, and the memories associated with her playful, albeit sometimes destructive, nature. From the “silly things” she did, like bringing home stray animals, to the “funny way she talked,” the song paints a portrait of a quirky and beloved woman. The climax revolves around the poignant image of Honey falling from a tree and succumbing to her injuries, leaving the narrator shattered.
“Honey” is notorious for its divisive reception. While commercially successful, it was criticized for its saccharine sentimentality and perceived manipulative storytelling. Some found the depiction of grief and loss to be overly simplistic and emotionally manipulative. Conversely, others were deeply moved by the song’s raw emotion and its ability to capture the pain of bereavement. This polarizing effect has ensured “Honey” remains a topic of discussion and debate decades after its release, making it a fascinating example of how art can provoke vastly different responses from its audience.