After working with his early bands The Sundowners, The Epics, and Mudcrutch (which also included future Heartbreakers members Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench) he began his recording career with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers when the band broke onto the national music scene with their 1976 self-titled debut album. Still, it took America a full year to catch up to the album. "Breakdown" was re-released to radio and became a Top 40 hit in 1977 after word filtered back the band was creating a firestorm in England.
He was also a member of The Traveling Wilburys, along with George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison. Petty and the Heartbreakers also toured as a backing band for Bob Dylan.
Petty is a vocal critic of the modern recording industry, including the disintegration of independent radio stations.
Petty has been supported by his band, The Heartbreakers, for the majority of his career. He has occasionally released solo work, as is the case with his 2006 effort, Highway Companion, on which he performed most of the backing instrumentation himself. Examples of other solo albums include Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers
Petty died on 2 October 2017 following a cardiac episode earlier that day at his home in Malibu, California. Although some media outlets incorrectly reported his death following an erroneous police report, his death was confirmed later that day by his publicist and manager.
Honey Bee
Tom Petty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a little number called give me some sugar
Little honey natural bee"
Hey
Come on now, give me some sugar
Give me some sugar, little honey bee
I wouldn't hurt my little honey bee
"That's right"
Don't say a word, 'bout what we're doin'
Don't say nothin' little honey bee
Don't tell your momma, don't tell your sister
Don't tell your boyfriend, little honey bee
She like to call me king bee
She like to buzz 'round my tree
I call her honey bee
I'm a man in a trance
I'm a boy in short pants
When I see my honey bee
Well I've got something to say
"Oh
Buzz awhile
Yeah
Twenty dollar
Thirty dollars
One hundred and fifty dollars"
Look here now, peace in the valley
Peace in the valley with my honey bee
Don't say a word, 'bout what we're doin'
Don't say nothin ' little honey bee
She give me her monkey hand
And a Rambler sedan
I'm the king of Milwaukee
Her juju beads are so nice
She kissed my third cousin twice
I'm the king of Pomona
Well I've got something to say, yeah
The lyrics to Tom Petty's song Honey Bee are all about desire and seduction. It’s a song about a man who is captivated by a woman, referring to her as his little honey bee, and he wants her to reciprocate the love. It has a bluesy rock feel to it and the lyrics are very suggestive, with lines like "give me some sugar" and "she likes to call me king bee". The use of the bee metaphor implies that he wants this woman to be attracted to him the way a bee is attracted to honey. He wants her sweetness and her affection, and he wants her to be his.
Throughout the song, the man urges the woman not to tell anyone about their secret relationship, implying that it’s not a socially acceptable one. He also suggests that there are material benefits to their relationship, with lines like "she give me her monkey hand and a Rambler sedan" and "twenty dollar, thirty dollars, one hundred and fifty dollars". These lines could be interpreted as the man taking advantage of the woman or using his power and influence to win her over. However, the overall tone of the song is playful and flirtatious, so it can also be seen as a consensual relationship between two people who just want to have fun.
Overall, Tom Petty's "Honey Bee" is a fun, upbeat song about desire and seduction. It is a classic example of how rock and blues music can express complex emotions with simple and playful lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright here we go
Let's get started.
It's a little number called give me some sugar
This song is called Give Me Some Sugar.
Little honey natural bee
You are my sweet and natural lover.
Hey
Hello.
Come on now, give me some sugar
Let's get intimate.
Give me some sugar, little honey bee
Give me a kiss, my sweet lover.
Don't be afraid, not gonna hurt you
Don't worry, I won't harm you.
I wouldn't hurt my little honey bee
I think of you fondly and I care for you.
That's right
Agreeing with what was just said.
Don't say a word, 'bout what we're doin'
Keep our intimacy a secret.
Don't say nothin' little honey bee
Keep your mouth shut, my sweet lover.
Don't tell your momma, don't tell your sister
Don't tell your family about us.
Don't tell your boyfriend, little honey bee
Keep me a secret from your partner.
She like to call me king bee
She enjoys referring to me as the leader of our relationship.
She like to buzz 'round my tree
She enjoys being intimate with me.
I call her honey bee
I call her my sweet lover.
I'm a man in a trance
I am captivated by her love.
I'm a boy in short pants
I feel giddy and youthful around her.
When I see my honey bee
When I am with my lover.
Well I've got something to say
I have something important to say.
Buzz awhile
Let us enjoy this moment of intimacy.
Yeah
Affirming something that was just said.
Twenty dollar
Using money to indicate value or worth.
Thirty dollars
Suggesting a monetary exchange for something.
One hundred and fifty dollars
Jokingly suggesting a high amount of money.
Look here now, peace in the valley
Let's find peace together.
Peace in the valley with my honey bee
I am at peace when I am with you.
She give me her monkey hand
She offers her hand, probably playfully or affectionately.
And a Rambler sedan
She offers me something practical, like a car.
I'm the king of Milwaukee
I am jokingly saying I am the ruler or leader of the city.
Her juju beads are so nice
Her accessories are pleasing to me.
She kissed my third cousin twice
An exaggerated joke about something unexpected happening.
I'm the king of Pomona
Another joke about being the leader or ruler of another city.
Well I've got something to say, yeah
I have something important to say.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Tom Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ElvisPPham
LYRICS
"Alright here we go"
It's a little number called give me some sugar
Little honey natural bee"
Hey
Come on now, give me some sugar
Give me some sugar, little honey bee
Don't be afraid, not gonna hurt you
I wouldn't hurt my little honey bee
"That's right"
Don't say a word, 'bout what we're doin'
Don't say nothin' little honey bee
Don't tell your momma, don't tell your sister
Don't tell your boyfriend, little honey bee
She like to call me king bee
She like to buzz 'round my tree
I call her honey bee
I'm a man in a trance
I'm a boy in short pants
When I see my honey bee
Well I've got something to say
"Oh
Buzz awhile
Yeah
Twenty dollar
Thirty dollars
One hundred and fifty dollars"
Look here now, peace in the valley
Peace in the valley with my honey bee
Don't say a word, 'bout what we're doin'
Don't say nothin ' little honey bee
She gave me her monkey hand
And a Rambler sedan
I'm the king of Milwaukee
Her juju beads are so nice
She kissed my third cousin twice
I'm the king of Pomona
Well I've got something to say, yeah
@zedgrinderzed1083
Florida's finest. One of the best artists of my 63 years.
@jaybrenner9447
❤
@musicmovesme7nightgirl340
When I went to see a Tom concert there was magic in the air all day long, months before the concert I was living for that night, I know I will never feel that same way again, but Im glad I did
@hhhghhhhhhhhh
لا إلاه إلا الله No God except Allah
@DismantleHAARP
@@hhhghhhhhhhhhJesus wins 🙏
@hhhghhhhhhhhh
@@DismantleHAARP There is no doubt that Prophet Jesus will win paradise
@hhhghhhhhhhhh
Jesus the Prophet of God and His Messenger
@brandybaker9282
Same it was a great experience 🤩
@evamanus7934
My husband that just passed march 22nd 2021 loved tom petty ❤miss you my love. I told you those drugs were gonna kill you one day but you wouldn't listen 😭
@joelhammer3538
Peace and dont worry. We'll all meet for that great TP gig up in the sky one day...