Honey, honey
Tom Jones
The Plea for Peace in Tom Jones' 'Honey, honey'
Tom Jones' song 'Honey, honey' is a heartfelt plea that delves into themes of emotional turmoil, familial relationships, and the quest for inner peace. The repeated use of the word 'honey' serves as a term of endearment, addressing different figures in the singer's life, each representing a different aspect of his emotional landscape. The song's structure, with its repetitive and pleading tone, underscores the desperation and longing for resolution and understanding.
In the first verse, the singer addresses 'Honey,' asking for another song but also for her to leave, indicating a complex relationship where the presence of 'Honey' brings both comfort and distress. This duality is further explored as the singer's bones are rattled by her sentimental shakedown, suggesting that her emotional influence is both profound and unsettling. The plea for 'Honey' to move on reflects a desire to escape this emotional turbulence.
The subsequent verses shift focus to 'Momma' and 'Sister,' expanding the narrative to include familial dynamics. The singer's request for 'Momma' to take another turn and learn from her experiences highlights the generational impact of emotional struggles. The mention of 'Sister' and the plea for mercy for his deeds introduces themes of guilt and the need for forgiveness. The line 'Virtue takes a lover in vice, god only knows' suggests a moral conflict and the complexity of human relationships.
The chorus, with its repetition of 'What you don't know never will hurt you,' reflects a common adage about ignorance being bliss. However, the singer's acknowledgment that he used to pray like all the others on what 'Honey' never will know indicates a deeper, perhaps unspoken, pain. The repeated plea for 'Honey' to hold still signifies a desire for stability and peace amidst the chaos. The song's conclusion, with its repeated lines, emphasizes the unresolved nature of these emotional conflicts, leaving the listener with a sense of lingering tension and hope for resolution.