Honeysuckle Rose
Ella & Basie Lyrics
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When they see you out with me
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
When you're passin' by, flowers droop and sigh
And I know the reason why
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Don't buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
You're my sugar
It's sweeter when you stir it up
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Seems the honey fairly drips
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Don't buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
You're my sugar
It's sweeter when you stir it up
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Seems the honey fairly drips
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
The lyrics of "Honeysuckle Rose" by Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie are a straightforward declaration of admiration and devotion to a loved one. The song is full of sweet and romantic metaphors, comparing the singer's partner to the sweet and fragrant honeysuckle flower. The lyrics communicate the feeling of envy generated by the beauty of the singer's loved one, making every honey bee feel jealous when seeing them together. The singer stays in awe of their partner's influence, acknowledging that even flowers droop and sigh when they pass by. The sweetness of the singer's partner is likened to sugar in a cup, which only needs their touch to create a perfectly sweetened atmosphere for the singer. The singer drinks from their partner's lips as if they were sipping honey, making them their honeysuckle rose.
Line by Line Meaning
Every honey bee fills with jealousy
When other people see you with me, they become envious, just like how bees get jealous when they see others near their honey.
When they see you out with me
The previous line refers to people seeing the singer with their loved one, which makes them envious.
Goodness knows
The singer is expressing their surprise or disbelief at how good their love is.
You're my honeysuckle rose
The singer is addressing their significant other as their honeysuckle rose, which is a metaphor for how sweet and alluring they are.
When you're passin' by, flowers droop and sigh
When the significant other is near, all other things seem to lose their charm and fade away. Even flowers seem to wilt in comparison to their beauty.
And I know the reason why
The singer understands that the reason for this effect is how wonderful their significant other is.
Don't buy sugar
The singer is telling their significant other that they do not need any added sweetness because their presence is already enough.
You just have to touch my cup
Just being present and interacting with the singer brings them joy and happiness.
You're my sugar
The singer continues the metaphor from earlier, calling their significant other their sugar because they add a sweetness to their life.
It's sweeter when you stir it up
Their love becomes even sweeter and more exciting when stirred up by their significant other's presence.
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
The singer is metaphorically drinking in the affection and love from their significant other's lips.
Seems the honey fairly drips
Their love overflows like honey, it is so sweet and irresistible.
Goodness knows
The singer is again expressing surprise and happiness about how amazing their love is.
You're my honeysuckle rose
The singer repeats their affectionate nickname for their significant other, emphasizing how dear they are to them.
Goodness knows
The singer again expresses happiness and surprise.
You're my honeysuckle rose
The song ends with the singer repeating their affectionate nickname for their significant other, ending on a joyful note.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Razaf, Thomas Waller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind