“Honey,” released in 1968, remains one of Bobby Goldsboro’s most enduring and controversial hits. Goldsboro, a country-pop singer and songwriter, was already a familiar face on the music scene before “Honey” propelled him to international stardom. Originally a guitarist in Roy Orbison’s band, Goldsboro launched his solo career in the mid-1960s, scoring hits like “See the Funny Little Clown” and “Little Things.” However, “Honey” dwarfed his previous successes, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks and earning him a gold record. While it didn’t win any major awards specifically, its chart success was award enough, solidifying Goldsboro’s place in the pop culture landscape of the late 60s.
The song itself tells a poignant, if melodramatic, story of a man mourning the sudden and tragic loss of his young wife, nicknamed “Honey.” The lyrics paint a picture of their everyday life, focusing on her playful personality and endearing quirks, such as her inability to properly hang a picture or her love for stray animals. The heartbreaking climax reveals her accidental death while climbing a tree, leaving the narrator grief-stricken and reflecting on their cherished memories.
“Honey” was a massive commercial success, but its sentimental nature polarized audiences. While many listeners found the song deeply moving and relatable, praising its raw emotion and Goldsboro’s heartfelt delivery, others criticized it for being overly saccharine and manipulative. Some even found the depiction of Honey’s death to be unrealistic and unnecessarily tragic. Despite the mixed reactions, “Honey” continues to be a significant cultural artifact, sparking discussions about grief, memory, and the power of music to evoke strong emotional responses. Its enduring popularity, whether embraced or criticized, speaks to its undeniable impact on the popular music of the era.