Honey Don't

Title:	Honey Don't
Credits:	Carl Perkins
Recorded:	EMI Studios, London, 26 October, 1964
Line- up:	Starr vocal, drums; McCartney bass Lennon acoustic rhythm guitar Harrison lead guitar
Producer:	George Martin
Engineer:	Norman Smith
Location:	Beatles For Sale - track 10
UK release:	4th December 1964 (LP: Beatles For Sale)
US release:	15th December 1964 (LP: Beatles '65)

Ringo's only lead vocal on Beatles For Sale was this version of Carl Perkins' self-composed Honey Don't, originally issued in January 1956 on the back of his Blue Suede Shoes. Prior to this album, when the Beatles performed Honey Don't on stage and on radio, John had sung the lead vocal. After this album it became Ringo's showcase. Honey Don't was the final song recorded for Beatles For Sale.

The Beatles recorded 'Honey Don't' on August 1, 1963 for the BBC Radio series "Pop Go The Beatles" episode which aired September 3. John Lennon sings lead vocal on the recording that was released in both the US and the UK on December 6, 1994 on "The Beatles Live At The BBC."

The Beatles recorded 'Honey Don't' on October 26, 1964 for release on their LP "Beatles For Sale." This time Ringo Starr sang lead vocals. The song was completed in five takes, with take five being the released version. Both the mono and stereo mixes were prepared October 27. This track was released in reprocessed stereo on the US LP "Beatles '65."

On February 26, 1987 the album "Beatles For Sale" was released in both the US and the UK on the CD format. Originally, a new stereo mix was prepared for this release; however, George Martin later remixed the album in mono. The new mono mix is found on the CD release of the album "Beatles For Sale."

The song was recorded again on May 1, 1964 for the BBC Radio holiday special, "From Us To You," which aired May 18. Again, John sang lead vocals. Ringo sang lead on the November 17 recording for BBC Radio's "Top Gear," which aired November 26. Both of these recordings are available as bootlegs.

The Beatles recorded 'Honey Don't' on May 26, 1965 for their 5th BBC Radio holiday special, this time titled "The Beatles (Invite You To Take A Ticket To Ride)." This show was aired June 7 and can be found on several different bootlegs.

This song was also performed by the Plastic Ono Band as part of a medley during the recording sessions for the "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" album in the fall of 1970. This medley has been bootlegged and can be found on "The Dream Is Over" (CD).

John and Yoko Ono recorded this track in September 1971 for the soundtrack to their film "Clock." This track has been bootlegged and can be found on "Look At Me" (CD).

During rehearsals for his "Some Time In New York City" album held from March 1 - 20, 1972 John - with Elephants Memory - performed and recorded this song. This performance has been bootlegged and can be found on "S.I.R. John Winston Ono Lennon" (CD).

During sessions for his "Tug Of War" album Paul McCartney and Carl Perkins recorded an outtake of this song between February 21 - 25, 1981 at George Martin's AIR Studios in Montserrat. No copies of this recording have surfaced.

On September 28 1982 Ringo Starr recorded an appearance for "Parkinson In Australia" which aired October 8, 1982. During this appearance Ringo played drums and provided some vocals on a version of this song and a medley of this song and 'Blue Suede Shoes'. Both of these performances have been bootlegged and can be found on "Classified Document Volume Two."

Ringo joined Carl Perkins for the TV special "Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session With Carl Perkins And Friends" taped October 21, 1985 and aired in the UK on January 1, 1986 and in the US on January 5, 1986. Ringo supplied drums and sang lead vocals for this performance. This performance has been bootlegged and can be found on "Somewhere In England" (CD).

George Harrison, Jesse Ed Davis, Bob Dylan and John Fogerty joined Taj Mahal for a performance at the Palomino Club in North Hollywood on February 19, 1987. During this session, this song was performed with George singing lead vocals. This performance has been bootlegged and can be found on "Live! The Silver Wilburys" (CD).

Ringo performed this song during a concert with his All-Starr Band at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, California on September 2, 1989. This performance has been bootlegged and can be found on "Live From The Pacific Amphitheatre." Ringo's performance of this song on September 3, 1989 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles was released on his album "Ringo Starr And His All-Starr Band." This album was released in the UK on October 8, 1990 and in the US on October 12, 1990.

A live recording of this song by Ringo Starr was released on October 15, 1996 on Carl Perkins' album "Go Cat Go." Perkins overdubbed guitar onto this track.