Honey | 5ive Songs

On the 33^rd edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with HONEY in some form or fashion.

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elcome to 5ive Songs, where we keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff! There’s a theme/topic, five songs, and a short blurb.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On the 33^rd edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with HONEY in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

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1. John Legend, “Honey” (Ft. Muni Long)

“Honey” • John Legend Music, Inc. / Republic • 2022

Academy/Grammy Award-winning musician John Legend returned in 2022 with sweet, sweet “Honey”. He collaborates with Muni Long, renowned for her hit single, “Hrs & Hrs”. The results are positive, despite the fact that “Honey” is brief, clocking in at under two and a half minutes in duration.

“Honey” commences with a soulful instrumental intro that sets the tone.  The fabulous production and sound of this record are attributed to the skills of Mr. Franks, Ryan Tedder, Lindgren, and TBHits.  This backdrop is the perfect fuel for John Legend’s fire. As always, his vocals are expressive, commanding, soulful, and sexy (him too, of course, ). Following the relatively simple first verse and pre-chorus, he drops the simple but chill, memorable chorus:

“You’re sweeter than honey

You’re sweeter than honey

(Want all the) Money

(Give me that) Sunday, Sunday, Sunday.”

Muni Long first appears in the second verse; I love her tone, providing a nice contrast to Legend. The join forces for the second pre-chorus and chorus, at least at select moments, before Legend closes things out. “Honey” isn’t game-changing, but I enjoy this collaboration.  It is a nice addition to the R&B catalog all told.

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2. Halsey, “Honey”

If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power • Capitol • 2021

“She’s on the tip of my tongue, she’s on the top of my thighs / And if I searched a thousand miles, I’d be dyin’ to find.” Eight words: If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power.  Those lyrics grace the song “honey” from the 2021, Grammy-nominated album by Halsey. Listening to “honey,” well, it’s sweet indeed – one of the gems from If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, all told.

Never afraid to reference her sexuality, “honey” finds Halsey singing about an experience with a ‘wild girl.’ Of course, despite digging what this girl served up, they’re no longer an item. “She was sweet like honey,” Halsey sings, continuing, poetically, “But all I can taste is the blood in my mouth / And the bitterness in goodbye.” Ooh, wee, wild girl!

 

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3. Bring Me The Horizon, “sugar honey ice & tea”

Amo • Sony • 2019

“You could tell the Messiah / His pants are on fire / I politely decline…” Damn! Despite continual references to atheism, give Bring Me the Horizon credit for making the ‘shit’ taste delicious.  How does the UK rock band do so? Well, with “Sugar honey ice & tea” from their superb 2019 album, amo.

According to Oli Sykes, “Everybody’s full of / Sugar, honey, ice, and tea.” Perhaps that’s the case (it probably is), but man, oh man, does the production bang hard! The synths and programming are lit, while the souped-up, dirty, and distorted guitars are equally compelling.  As the saying goes, ‘That shit’s awesome’ – NO CAP!

Appears in :

• 15 Sugar Songs That Are Indeed Sugary Sweet

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4. Andy Grammer, “Honey, I’m Good.”

Magazines Or Novels • S-Curve • 2014

“So nah, nah, honey, I’m good / I could have another, but I probably should not / I got somebody at home and if I stay I might not leave alone.” Woo! One of my personal favorite songs from 2015 (which arrived in 2014) hailed from pop musician Andy Grammer:   “Honey, I’m Good.” “Honey, I’m Good.” appears on Grammer’s 2014 album, Magazines Or Novels. The record is a monogamous pop joint – you don’t see those burning up the airwaves so much (“Now better men than me have failed /Drinking from that unholy grail”)!

No worries, though! Even if monogamy is the end game for Andy, he managed to sneak some fun lines in.  Exhibit A: “And these long, long legs / are damn near everywhere.” My, my, my! How about the crème de la crème,  Exhibit B:  “And you got that ass.”  Booty!!! “Honey, I’m Good.” elevated Grammer’s profile period. It’s a fun-loving anthem that tastes sweet like honey!

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5. Erykah Badu, “Honey”

New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War • UMG Recordings, Inc. • 2007

“Honey, you so sweet (honey) / Sugar got a long way to catch you / You so sweet (honey).” 2007’s New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War, might be the most ambitious Erykah Badu album to date.  That said, the sugary sweet “Honey” is arguably the most accessible, mainstream neo-soul joint on the LP.  Where the Grammy winner experiments more through most of the effort, “Honey,” the lead single that ends up being a bonus track (!) is pretty straightforward.

Vocally, Erykah Badu is vintage, sounding as distinct and soulful as ever.  The production ( 9^th Wonder) is magnificent, characterized by its soul aesthetic as well as brilliant samples.  As far as the songwriting, there isn’t a bad section or line to be found (“Ooh boy can you tell me please? / Wanna know if you feelin’ me / Ooh Slim, boy you killin’ me / But you so sweet to me, oww”).  There are three verses, all of which are worthwhile. The chorus, excerpted above, takes the cake, however.  The chorus continues as follows:

“All I gotta do  is add a little lemon

You my favorite drink

Hey, you make me think

Oww

Honey, yeah boy

You so sweet.”

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Honey : 5ive Songs No. 33 (2022) [: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Capitol, Clovis Cheminot, John Legend Music, Inc., The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, Republic, S-Curve, Sony, UMG Recordings, Inc.]

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