Honey (also known as Honey (I Miss You)) is a 1968 country song written by Bobby Russell and performed by Bobby Goldsboro.
Background[]
The song's lyrics depict a man reflecting back on the past and the memories he made with his deceased wife, starting with the small twig that she planted. Other past memories are mentioned as he notes how much her plant has grown, before stating how he would love to be with her once again.
The song gained popularity on both pop music and country music charts upon its release. Though despite its popularity, remaining #1 on the charts for 5 weeks, it also has the distinction of being considered one of the worst written songs by several publications (as well as Al Bundy). The hatred for the song comes from people who said that the lyrics are sappy and overly emotional, while other people have defended the song, saying that the lyrics reflect the feelings of someone who lost the love of their lives.
Appearance on Married... with Children[]
It is sung by Peggy Bundy in the season 1 episode "Thinnergy", as a way to torture Al Bundy as she knows how much he hates the song. She sings the first verse and then cuts to the chorus as Al decides to cut his toenails into her shoes.
In the season 5 episode, "Oldies But Young 'Uns", the song is mentioned by Al as he desperately tried to find the name of his favorite song. Instead of the song's name, the DJ talks about a massive pile up on the road that left 12 dead and then "...kicks off about 500 in-a-row, with Bobby Goldsboro's musical sphincter lock known as 'Honey'! ".
Lyrics[]
See the tree, how big it's grown
But friend, it hasn't been too long it wasn't big
I laughed at her and she got mad
The first day that she planted it, was just a twig
Then the first snow came and she ran out
To brush the snow away so it wouldn't die
Came runnin' in all excited slipped and almost hurt herself
And I laughed till I cried
She was always young at heart
Kinda dumb and kinda smart and I loved her so
And I surprised her with a puppy
Kept me up all Christmas Eve two years ago
And it would sure embarrass her
When I came in from workin' late 'cause I would know
That she'd been sittin there an' cryin'
Over some sad and silly late, late show
And Honey, I miss you
And I'm bein' good
And I'd love to be with you
If only I could
She wrecked the car and she was sad
And so afraid that I'd be mad, but what the heck
Though I pretended hard to be
Guess you could say she saw through me and hugged my neck
I came home unexpectedly
And caught her cryin' needlessly in the middle of the day
And it was in the early spring
When flowers bloom and robins sing, she went away
And Honey, I miss you
And I'm bein' good
And I'd love to be with you
If only I could
One day while I was not at home
While she was there and all alone the angels came
Now all I have is memories of Honey
And I wake up nights and call her name
Now my life's an empty stage
Where Honey lived, and Honey played and love grew up
And a small cloud passes over head
And cries down on the flower bed that Honey loved
And see the tree, how big it's grown
But friend, it hasn't been too long, it wasn't big
And I laughed at her, she got mad
The first day that she planted it, was just a twig