The PRO was formed in November 1969 by John Arthy, a baker who moonlighted as a BBC session bass player. Arthy discovered a cache of original musical arrangements dating from the 1920s in an attic and on the strength of this find decided to form his own band. The name of the band was inspired by Harry Warren's (Home in) Pasadena. There was a strong revival movement for music of the 1920s at the time (other rival bands included The Temperance Seven); however, Arthy moved this new band in a different direction to most of the revivalists: away from humour and towards more serious, dedicated renditions of the music.
The orchestra’s first vocalist was John "Pazz" Parry, an old friend of Arthy's (the two had both been members of The Water Rats Jazz Band). With Arthy as Bandleader and also performing on the double bass and sousaphone, the PRO soon grew in popularity.
The orchestra became professional in 1975. Their first LP was released in the spring and was premiered at the Midem music fair in Cannes. The orchestra followed this by touring West Germany (where the revival movement was incredibly popular) in the autumn of that year.
The orchestra toured the US in 1993 and 2002.
After John Arthy retired in 1997, it continues to tour and record with Bandleader and singer Duncan Galloway. In 2007 the Orchestra is touring europe: Brussels, Munich, Berlin and scandinavia.
Honey Pie
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra Lyrics
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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 Pasadena Roof Orchestra's song Honey Pie tells the story of a working girl from the North of England who has made it big in Hollywood. The singer is hopelessly in love with her and longs for her to come back to him. He describes his feelings as being driven to the point of craziness by the thought of her. His love for her is strong, but he's too lazy to do anything about it. He begs her to come back to him and show him the "magic" of her Hollywood songs.
The singer's admiration for the woman he loves is obvious in his words. She's not just any Hollywood star to him; she's a legend of the silver screen. The fact that she's achieved such fame and success is enough to make the singer weak in the knees. He is reminiscent of their past and hopes that the wind will kindly bring her back to him. The whole song is a plea to bring her home.
Overall, Honey Pie is a beautiful yet simplistic love song that depicts a love that's so strong it drives the singer to bonkers. The singer's deep love for the woman he's describing is the focus of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
She was a working girl
She was a girl who had a job
North of England way
She is from the northern part of England
Now she's hit the big time
She is now famous and successful
In the U.S.A.
She went to America
And if she could only hear me
If only she could listen to me
This is what I'd say.
I would say the following words to her
Honey pie, you are making me crazy
My love for you is making me feel insane
I'm in love but I'm lazy
I am in love with you but I am not doing much about it
So won't you please come home.
Please come back home to me
Oh honey pie, my position is tragic
My situation is very sad, my dear
Come and show me the magic
Please come and show me the wonders of your world
Of your Hollywood song.
Of your glamorous lifestyle in Hollywood
You became a legend of the silver screen
You have become a famous movie star
And now the thought of meeting you
Just the thought of seeing you in person
Makes me weak in the knee.
Makes me feel overwhelmed with excitement
Oh honey pie, you are driving me frantic
You are driving me crazy, my dear
Sail across the Atlantic
Travel across the ocean to me
To be where you belong.
Come back to where you are meant to be
Will the wind that blew her boat
Will the same wind that took her away
Across the sea
Across the ocean
Kindly send her sailing back to me.
Please 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