<… Read Full Bio ↴The definitive Afroamerican gospel group in the jubilee quartet style.
Founded as the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet in Norfolk, Virginia in 1934 by A. C. “Eddie” Griffin, Robert “Peg” Ford, Henry Owens, and Bill Johnson, they began as a traditional jubilee quartet, combining the clever arrangements associated with barbershop quartets with rhythms borrowed from the blues and jazz.
The makeup of the group changed over the years, as some members were drafted during the war and new members were brought in to replace those who had retired or left to join other groups. William Langford joined the group when Griffin left in 1935 and Orlandus Wilson replaced Ford the same year. Clyde Riddick replaced Langford in 1938, Johnson left in 1948 to join “The Jubalaires” and Owens left the group later to become a preacher and solo artist. Riddick remained with the group until his retirement in 1995 and Wilson until his death in 1998.
The Gates had a broad repertoire of styles—from Owens’ mournful, understated approach in songs such as Anyhow or Hush, Somebody’s Calling My Name, to the group’s highly syncopated arrangements in Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. Like The Mills Brothers of popular music, they would often include vocal special effects in their songs, imitating train sounds in songs such as Golden Gate Gospel Train. Langford often sang lead, using his ability to range from baritone to falsetto, while Johnson narrated in a hip syncopated style that became the hallmark for the group.
Honey Pie
The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
North of England way
Now she's hit the big time
In the U.S.A.
And if she could only hear me
This is what I'd say.
Honey pie, you are making me crazy
So won't you please come home.
Oh honey pie, my position is tragic
Come and show me the magic
Of your Hollywood song.
You became a legend of the silver screen
And now the thought of meeting you
Makes me weak in the knee.
Oh honey pie, you are driving me frantic
Sail across the Atlantic
To be where you belong.
Will the wind that blew her boat
Across the sea
Kindly send her sailing back to me.
Honey pie, you are making me crazy
I'm in love but I'm lazy
So won't you please come home.
The Golden Gate Quartet's "Honey Pie" is a love song that tells the story of a man who fell in love with a working girl from the North of England who has now made it big in the USA. As he longs for her, he tells her that he is crazy about her and in love with her, but is too lazy to pursue her. He wants her to come home and be with him, and expresses his desire to be a part of her Hollywood magic. The song is filled with charm and wit, and the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man pining for his lover who is far away.
The song's upbeat tone and playful lyrics are contrasted with the longing and heartfelt desire expressed by the singer. The lyrics capture the essence of what it feels like to be in love and how distance can intensify one's feelings for another person. The use of the phrase "honey pie" is a term of endearment that denotes affection and reinforces the singer's love for his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
She was a working girl
She used to work as an ordinary employee.
North of England way
She worked in the northern part of England.
Now she's hit the big time
Now she has achieved tremendous success.
In the U.S.A.
She has become famous in the United States.
And if she could only hear me
If only she could listen to me.
This is what I'd say.
Here's what I would tell her.
Honey pie, you are making me crazy
My dear, you are driving me insane with love!
I'm in love but I'm lazy
I love you, but I lack the motivation to do anything about it.
So won't you please come home.
Please come back to me.
Oh honey pie, my position is tragic
My dear, I am in a sad and desperate state.
Come and show me the magic
Please come and amaze me with your incredible talent.
Of your Hollywood song.
Show me the beauty of your Hollywood lifestyle.
You became a legend of the silver screen
You have become a legendary figure in the film industry.
And now the thought of meeting you
Just the idea of seeing you in person.
Makes me weak in the knee.
Causes me to feel physically and emotionally overwhelmed.
Oh honey pie, you are driving me frantic
My dear, you are making me go crazy with love!
Sail across the Atlantic
Travel across the ocean to be with me.
To be where you belong.
Come be with me where you are meant to be.
Will the wind that blew her boat
Maybe the same wind that carried her here.
Across the sea
Across the vast expanse of water.
Kindly send her sailing back to me.
Please help bring her back to me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
trfesok
Of course, McCartney wrote the song in this style, so a really authentic cover was bound to come along. I put this in my "Beatles covers.." playlist. Thanks for uploading!
yugojazz
Better than the original, Beatles' version.