Honey Chile
Martha and The Vandellas Lyrics

You're shiftless and you're lazy
You lack motivation and do not contribute to society.

Just like the hound dog Daisy
You have no ambition and are as unproductive as a dog with no purpose.

I had when Grandma raised me, honey chile
I grew up with a dog just like you during the time my grandmother raised me.

When Granny got to old to scorn me
When my grandmother became too old to guide me in life.

Dear old Auntie warned me
My aunt warned me about you.

You sure was no good for me, honey chile
You are of no good for me.

But your kiss is sweeter than the cake
Although you have no value to me, your kiss is desirable.

That Grandma used to make
As desirable as the cake my grandma used to make.

All the sweet li'l things about you
All the desirable and charming aspects of your character.

Sure enough taste like cake
Are as satisfying to me as a piece of cake.

You ain't gonna amount to nothin'
You do not have the drive or ambition to succeed.

But you ain't gonna work for nothin'
You may not have ambition but you expect rewards without effort.

Without you I'm good for nothin', honey chile
Without you I feel worthless and aimless.

Honey chile, sure about to drive you wild
My words are likely to excite or entice you.

I love you so, keep me goin' now, honey chile
I depend on your love to remain energized.

Sugar chile, I won't need a country mile
I will not have to go far to be with you or make efforts for our relationship.

Just to be with you, exactly true now, honey chile
I seek genuine, truthful love from you.

I try to act like a lady
I try to behave with grace and poise.

But you've been goin' with Sade
But I know you have been seeing someone else named Sade.

Your reputation's gained me
Your poor reputation has affected me too and given me a bad name.

Hey, you even took out Sally
You have even gone out with my neighbor, Sally.

Who lives across the alley
Who resides in the area across the street.

Oh I've been keepin' a tally, honey chile
I have been keeping a record of your behavior and all the girls you have been seeing.

You're like the grapes upon the vine
You are like the grapes on the vine, like a fruit hanging in front of me and to be picked.

The grapes in Granny's wine
Like the grapes in the wine my grandmother used to make.

A vine that always was so sweet
A fruit that is always appealing and tantalizing.

But you're not happy not outside now
But you are not content or happy being loyal and faithful to me.

You ain't nothin' but a playboy
You are nothing but a player and a flirt who deceives innocent women.

Usin' me for a play toy
Leading me on, making me believe you love me to satisfy your desires.

You're ruinin' my pride and joy now, honey chile
You are now destroying my happiness and dignity by not being honest about our relationship.

Listen here now
Listen to me now.

One day I'm gonna get stronger
I will overcome your charms and manipulations.

And I won't need you no longer
And I will eventually not need you anymore.

This feelin' will be gone now, honey chile
These strong feelings I have for you will be gone soon.

Hey, now I can't take disgracin'
I cannot tolerate being ashamed and ridiculed by your actions.

That ain't the way Granny raised me
Grandma taught me to have dignity and self-respect.

You're gonna have the gravy, honey chile
You will get what you want, but it will not be at the cost of my happiness.