"Honey Pie"

"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."

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.

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 tap dancing on a piano).

Credits

* 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

Album: The Beatles
Released: 22 November 1968
Recorded: 1 October 1968
Genre: Jazz, music hall, pop
Length: 2:41
Label: Apple Records
Writer: Lennon/McCartney
Producer: George Martin

Wikipedia