“A Taste of Honey”: Lyrics
A taste of honey.
Tasting much sweeter than wine.
I dream of your first kiss and then,
I feel upon my lips again,
A taste of honey.
Tasting much sweeter than wine.
I will return,
Yes I will return,
I’ll come back
For the honey,
And you.
Yours was the kiss that awoke my heart,
There lingers still, ‘though we’re far apart,
That taste of honey… tasting much sweeter than wine.
I will return, yes I will return,
I’ll come back
For the honey,
And you.
Song History and Facts:
Written by: Bobby Scott and Ric Marlow
Recorded: February 11, 1963 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: February 25, 1963
Length: 2:02
Takes: 7
Musicians: John Lennon: backing vocal, rhythm guitar (1958 Rickenbacker 325), harmonica (Hohner)
Paul McCartney: lead vocal, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: lead guitar (1957 Gretsch Duo Jet G6128T)
Ringo Starr: drums (1960 Premier kit)
Available on: (CDs in bold)
Recorded: February 11, 1963 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: February 25, 1963
Length: 2:02
Takes: 7
Musicians: John Lennon: backing vocal, rhythm guitar (1958 Rickenbacker 325), harmonica (Hohner)
Paul McCartney: lead vocal, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: lead guitar (1957 Gretsch Duo Jet G6128T)
Ringo Starr: drums (1960 Premier kit)
Available on: (CDs in bold)
- Please Please Me, (UK: Parlophone PMC 1202, PCS 3042, Parlophone CDP7 46435-2p, US: Capitol CLJ 46435)
- Introducing The Beatles, (US: VeeJay VJLP 1062)
- The Early Beatles, (US: Capitol (S)T 2309), Capitol CDP 0946 3 57498 2 3}
- Twist And Shout (EP), (UK: Parlophone GEP 8882}
History:
- Recorded in its first vocal version by Lenny Welch in 1961, this ballad was written in 1960 as an instrumental, which may explain why Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass’ 1965 version (albeit scored in a very different arrangement) was the biggest hit version. A selection of Paul’s, this ballad was mainly included due to its popularity in England at the time; John for his part was not particularly taken with the song, referring to it in the studio, half-jokingly, as “A Waste Of Money.”
- This was cut as the first song of the afternoon session, just before work began on “Do You Want To Know A Secret.” Paul sings both lead and joins John on harmony, a trick he supposedly picked up from Buddy Holly.
BBC radio versions: 7 (for the BBC radio programs Side By Side, Easy Beat, Here We Go, Beat Show, and Pop Goes The Beatles))
Trivia:
- Unlike its original version, this version of “A Taste Of Honey” ends on a major key even though the body of the song is in a relative minor; it’s a trick Paul would later use to end “And I Love Her.” about.com