“Honey,” released in 1968, remains one of Bobby Goldsboro’s most iconic and controversial songs, etching itself into the annals of popular music. Goldsboro, an American pop and country singer-songwriter, achieved mainstream success in the 1960s and 70s, known for his soft, sentimental ballads. Before his solo career, he was briefly a guitarist in Roy Orbison’s band. “Honey” became his signature song, propelling him to international fame and solidifying his place in the music industry.
The song was a massive commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks and reaching number one in several other countries. It earned Goldsboro a Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year and remains a staple on oldies radio stations.
“Honey” tells the poignant story of a man reminiscing about his deceased wife. Through vivid and heartwarming anecdotes, he recalls her quirky personality, playful nature, and their loving relationship. The song chronicles moments from their life together, from her rescuing a stray dog with “raggedy fur” to building a treehouse that ultimately collapsed. The final verse reveals the tragic loss of Honey, leaving the listener with a profound sense of grief and nostalgia.
While commercially successful, “Honey” has always divided audiences. Many find it incredibly moving and touching, appreciating its simple melody and heartfelt lyrics that evoke strong emotions. They connect with the universal theme of love and loss. However, others criticize the song for being overly sentimental, melodramatic, and even saccharine. Some find the overly simplistic portrayal of grief and the cloying sweetness of the lyrics to be manipulative and emotionally inauthentic. Despite the criticisms, “Honey” continues to resonate with a large audience, proving its enduring power as a classic, albeit polarizing, ballad.