Jordan was one of the first black recording artists whose popularity crossed over into the mainstream white audience and who scored hits on both the "race" charts and the mainstream white pop charts. He is now acknowledged as one of the most successful African-American musicians of the 20th century, ranking fifth in the list of the all-time most successful black recording artists.
Jordan scored at least four million-selling hits during his career, regularly topping the "race" charts, as well as scoring simultaneous Top Ten hits on the white pop charts on several occasions. Many of the songs he wrote or co-wrote have become 20th century popular music classics.
With his dynamic Tympany Five bands (which also pioneered the use of electric guitar and electric organ) Jordan largely mapped out the main parameters of the classic R&B, urban blues and early rock'n'roll genres with a series of hugely influential 78 rpm discs for the Decca label that presaged virtually all of the dominant black music styles of the 1950s and 1960s and which exerted a huge influence on many leading performers in these genres.
Honeysuckle Rose
Louis Jordan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
Louis Jordan's song Honeysuckle Rose contains lyrics that speak about the admiration and love for a significant other. The first line of the song, "Every honey bee fills with jealousy when they see you out with me," shows the extent of the admiration that the singer holds for their partner. They are comparing their partner's beauty and charm to a flower that is so sweet and irresistible that even the bees are envious.
Furthermore, the second stanza has the lines, "When you're passing by flowers droop and sigh, and I know the reason why, goodness knows, you're my honeysuckle rose." This stanza depicts the singer's belief that their partner is so dazzling that even the flowers in their presence start to wilt and sigh. These lyrics portray the singer's devotion to their partner, who they view to be the most captivating and alluring person in their life.
The chorus of the song reinforces the sentiment that the partner is the paramount person in the singer's life, as the phrase "goodness knows, you're my honeysuckle rose" is repeated multiple times. The singer has such affection and admiration for their partner that they liken her sweetness to sugar - "Don't buy sugar, you just have to touch my cup, you're my sugar, it's sweeter when you stir it up." The song highlights the intensity of love that the singer has for their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Every honey bee fills with jealousy
When people see us together, they get jealous because they know we are so sweet and perfect for each other, just like honey.
When they see you out with me
When they see you with me, they also notice how special and unique you are and how we complement each other so well.
Goodness knows
It's no secret, everyone knows that we are meant to be together and that our love is special and pure.
You're my honeysuckle rose
You are the most beautiful, fragrant, and spectacular flower in my life, and you make everything better and more enjoyable.
When you're passin' by flowers droop and sigh
You are so captivating and charming that everything else around you pales in comparison, and the flowers themselves feel inadequate in your presence.
And I know the reason why
The reason they droop and sigh is that they know that I am lucky enough to have you in my life, and they are envious of me.
Don't buy sugar
I don't need any additional sweetness or joy in my life, because you are all the sweetness and joy I will ever need or desire.
You just have to touch my cup
Your presence and your love are so powerful and so nourishing that just being near you or having you touch me makes me feel complete and content.
You're my sugar
You give my life meaning and purpose, and you make everything sweeter and brighter, like sugar in my coffee.
It's sweeter when you stir it up
Everything in my life is better and more exciting when you are a part of it, and you add a special, unique flavor to everything you touch and everything you do.
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
When I'm kissing you and tasting your lips, it's a magical, transformative experience that fills me with joy and pleasure.
Seems the honey fairly drips
Your love and your essence are so sweet and nourishing that they seem to pour out of you and fill my life with everything that is good and pure.
Goodness knows
It's no secret, everyone knows that we are meant to be together and that our love is special and pure.
You're my honeysuckle rose
You are the most beautiful, fragrant, and spectacular flower in my life, and you make everything better and more enjoyable.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Andy Razaf, Thomas Waller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 75yo Aussie fan.
God--Most white singers must be very envious of this amazing voice & swing.
From a mad keen 75yo Aussie fan.
Gulf Breeze
Luv ya Jordan