| "Honey Pie" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Song by The Beatles
from the album The Beatles |
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| Released | 22 November 1968 | |
| Recorded | 1 October 1968 | |
| Genre | Music Hall, Foxtrot, Jazz | |
| Length | 2:41 | |
| Label | Apple Records | |
| Writer | Lennon/McCartney | |
| Producer | George Martin | |
| The Beatles track listing | ||
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"Honey Pie" is a song by the Beatles, from their 1968 album The Beatles (the "White Album"). Although credited to Lennon/McCartney, it was composed entirely by Paul McCartney. Despite the similarity of title, the song is unrelated to "Wild Honey Pie".
Contents |
Interpretation
The song is a direct homage to the British music-hall style. It concerns a famed actress, known through the hypocorism "Honey Pie", who becomes famous in the United States, 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, 'scratches' were added to the third line, "Now she's hit the big time!" from a 78 RPM record.
Recording
The Beatles began recording "Honey Pie" on 1 October 1968, at Trident Studios in London's Wardour Street.
Just 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.[1]
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. Perhaps the strangest version was performed by Dom DeLuise in the 1978 film Sextette (which included the comic tapdancing on a piano).
Personnel
- Paul McCartney – Piano, vocals
- John Lennon – Lead guitar, rhythm guitar
- George Harrison – 6-stringed bass
- Ringo Starr – Drums
- George Martin – Clarinet arrangement
- Harry Klein – Clarinet
Notes
External links
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