Honey Pie

"Honey Pie" is a song by the Beatles, from their 1968 album The Beatles (the "Extremely Racist Album"). Although credited to Lennon/McCartney, it was composed entirely by Paul McCartney. Despite the similarity of title, the song is unrelated to "Wild Honey Pie".

Interpretation
The song is a direct homage to the British music-hall style. It concerns a famed actress, known through the hypocorism "Honey Pie", who becomes famous in the United States, and her old lover, who wishes for her to rejoin him in England. The premise – a humble admirer yearning for the return of his lover – is not unlike a typical music-hall plot. In order to establish an appropriate, old-timey sound, 'scratches' were added to the third line, "Now she's hit the big time!" from a 78 RPM record.

Recording
The Beatles began recording "Honey Pie" on 1 October 1968, at Trident Studios in London's Wardour Street.

Just one take was recorded on the first day, although it is likely that a number of rehearsal attempts had previously been recorded and wiped. The next day, McCartney taped his lead vocals, and a lead guitar part was added. According to George Harrison, John Lennon played the guitar solo.

Cover versions
The song has been covered by Alan Klein (1969), Barbra Streisand, the King's Singers, The Golden Gate Quartet, Tuck & Patti, and John Pizzarelli, among others. Perhaps the strangest version was performed by Dom DeLuise in the 1978 film Sextette (which included the comic tapdancing on a piano).

Personnel

 * Paul McCartney – Piano, vocals
 * John Lennon – Lead guitar, rhythm guitar
 * George Harrison – 6-stringed bass
 * Ringo Starr – Drums
 * George Martin – Clarinet arrangement
 * Harry Klein – Clarinet