‘Honey Don’t’, Ringo Starr’s vocal spot on the Beatles For Sale album, was written by Carl Perkins and originally released in 1956.

We didn’t write this one, either. It’s Ringo’s solo piece, a simple and sweet piece which he handles as well vocally as he does his drum kit. Yes, he’s singing! Again it’s another Cavern item of ours only John used to sing it in those days.
Paul McCartney
Disc, 14 November 1964

The song had been a part of The Beatles’ live set since 1962, when it had been sung by John Lennon. A version recorded for Pop Go The Beatles on 1 August 1963 was included on the Live At The BBC album, with Lennon on vocals.

‘Honey Don’t’ was originally the b-side of Perkins’ single ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, released on 1 January 1956.

We all knew ‘Honey Don’t’; it was one of those songs that every band in Liverpool played. I used to love country music and country rock. I’d had my own show with Rory Storm, when I would do five or six numbers. So singing and performing wasn’t new to me; it was a case of finding vehicles for me with The Beatles. That’s why we did it on Beatles For Sale. It was comfortable. And I was finally getting one track on a record: my little featured spot.
Ringo Starr
Anthology

In the studio

‘Honey Don’t’ was recorded during the final session for Beatles For Sale. On 26 October 1964 the group recorded five takes, the last of which was the best.

Lyrics

Well how come you say you will when you won’t?
Say you do, baby, when you don’t?
Let me know, honey, how you feel
Tell the truth now, is love real?
But uh-huh, well, honey don’t

Well, honey don’t
Honey don’t
Honey don’t
Honey don’t
I say you will when you won’t
Uh-huh, honey don’t

Well I love you, baby, and you ought to know
I like the way that you wear your clothes
Everything about you is so doggone sweet
You got that sand all over your feet
But uh-huh, well, honey don’t

Honey don’t
Honey don’t
Honey don’t
Honey don’t
I say you will when you won’t
Uh-huh, honey don’t

Oh, rock on George, one time for me

I feel fine
I said

Well sometimes I love you on a Saturday night
Sunday morning you don’t look right
You been out painting the town
Uh-huh, baby, been stepping around
But uh-huh, well, honey don’t

I said, honey don’t
Honey don’t
Honey don’t
Honey don’t
I say you will when you won’t
Uh-huh, honey don’t

Ah, rock on George, for Ringo one time

Well, honey don’t
Well, honey don’t
A little, little, honey don’t
I say you will when you won’t
Uh-huh, honey don’t


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Next song: ‘Every Little Thing’
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