Money Honey (Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters song)

"Money Honey" is a song written by Jesse Stone,[2] which was released in September 1953 by Clyde McPhatter backed for the first time by the newly formed Drifters. McPhatter's voice, but not his name, had become well known when he was the lead singer for Billy Ward and the Dominoes. The song was an immediate hit and remained on the rhythm and blues chart for 23 weeks, peaking at number 1.[3] Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 252 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[2] The recording was reported to have sold more than two million copies by 1968.[4]

"Money Honey"
Single by Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters
B-side"The Way I Feel"[1]
ReleasedSeptember 1953
RecordedAugust 9, 1953
StudioAtlantic Studios
GenreR&B
LabelAtlantic (45-1006)
Songwriter(s)Jesse Stone
Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters singles chronology
"Money Honey"
(1953)		 "Such a Night"
(1954)

Composition

The song begins with the man who has run out of money encountering his landlord who demands the rent if the man wishes to stay. Desperate, he calls "the woman that (he loves) the best" to help him out. When he meets her, she asks the man what he wants from her. The man's reply is:

Money, honey
Money, honey
Money, honey, if you want to get along with me[5]

She is literally not buying and scolds the man for his words; she says that "(their) romance is through", meaning that she is breaking up with him. When the man asks about "another man taking (his) place", the woman mimics his words, possibly to show that she loves the other man, who already has money. In the end, the man says that he has learned his lesson, but, soon enough, is still desperate for money.

The recording

The song was recorded on August 9, 1953, at Atlantic Studios, with Clyde McPhatter (lead vocal), Bill Pinkney (baritone), Andrew "Bubba" Thrasher (second tenor), Gerhart "Gay" Thrasher (top tenor), and Willie Ferbie (bass). Walter Adams was the guitarist for the record.[1]

The recording features Mickey Baker on guitar [6] and Sam "the Man" Taylor on tenor sax.[7] The arrangement starts with a bagpipe-like drone from the Drifters setting up a shuffle rhythm. McPhatter's voice is clear and bright and in the midst of the sax solo he gives off a monumental scream.

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Money Honey"Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters2:59
2."The Way I Feel"Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters2:48

Covers

References
  1. The Drifters (The Early Years) Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  2. "Rolling Stone magazine's top 500 songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 173.
  4. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins. p. 64. ISBN 0-214-20480-4.
  5. Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 25 – The Soul Reformation: Phase Two, The Motown Story. [Part 4]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
  6. Mickey Baker Archived 2012-09-18 at Archive.today. Winamp.com.
  7. Sam "The Man" Taylor, In the Mood for Sax: More Blue Mist (1960). Stax-o-Wax.blogspot.com
  8. Elvis Presley, "Money Honey" Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  9. Eddie Cochran references Archived 2012-05-27 at Archive.today Retrieved February 13, 2012
  10. The Hollywood Flames, "My Heart's on Fire" Single Release. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  11. The Coasters, "Money Honey" Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  12. Kristin Berglund, Long Distance Love Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  13. http://www.allmusic.com/album/rockin-into-the-night-mw0000193401
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