Song Lyric Sunday

This week for Song Lyric Sunday, Jim Adams has asked us to write about a song that mentions candy, honey, sugar or sweets. I decided to stick close to home and pick a song from a local group that has “sugar” and “honey” in it.

I Can’t Help Myself was the first US number one song for The Four Tops. It topped the Hot 100 for two weeks and the R&B chart for an amazing nine. They had been performing together since 1953, but it was a decade later when they were finally signed to Motown Records.

The song was written by the magical team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland. From songfacts.com:

Lamont Dozier told the story behind this song in a behind-the-scenes video for his 2018 Reimagination album: “I stayed with my grandmother when I was a kid. She owned her own home beauty shop, and when the women would come up the walkway to get their hair done, my grandfather would be pedaling around in the garden. He was a bit of a flirt, and would say, ‘How you doin’, sugar pie? Good morning, honey bunch.’ He was one of those types of guys. My grandmother had a big bay window to the front of the house. She’d say, ‘Look at that old codger – he thinks I don’t see. I know what he’s doing.’ He was just flirting with his big smile. I’m sitting there on the porch watching this – I’m probably 11 or 12. I was like a sponge, soaking it up.

Years later, at Motown, I’m sitting at the piano. I’d take these mind trips back to my childhood, and I’m trying to see what this piano part is telling me. Sure enough, there my grandfather is, pedaling in the garden. That memory comes to my mind’s eye, and I know where the song is supposed to go. I hear him saying, ‘Good morning, sugar pie. How you doin’, honey bunch?’ That’s what started it.”

Believe it or not, lead singer Levi Stubbs hated this song. The group wound up cutting it at the insistence of producer Brian Holland. Songfacts says that after recording the song, Stubbs was still upset. Holland reassured him that they could re-record it the following day, but there was no second try and take 2 was released as the single.

Sugar pie, honey bunch
You know that I love you
I can’t help myself
I love you and nobody else

In and out my life (In and out my life)
You come and you go (You come and you go)
Leaving just your picture behind
And I’ve kissed it a thousand times

When you snap your finger or wink your eye
I come a-running to you
I’m tied to your apron strings (Can’t help myself)
And there’s nothing that I can do, ooh

Can’t help myself (Ooh)
No, I can’t help myself (Ooh)
‘Cause, sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
I’m weaker than a man should be
I can’t help myself
I’m a fool in love, you see

Wanna tell you I don’t love you
Tell you that we’re through
And I’ve tried
But every time I see your face (I can’t help myself)
I get all choked up inside

When I call your name
Girl, it starts the flame
(Burning in my heart, tearing it all apart)
No matter how I try, my love I cannot hide

‘Cause sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
You know that I’m weak for you (Weak for you)
Can’t help myself
I love you and nobody else (Ooh)

Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
Do anything you ask me to (Ask me to)
Can’t help myself
I want you and nobody else (Ooh)

Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
You know that I love you (Love you)
I can’t help myself
No, I can’t help myself (Ooh)

Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch)
You know that I love you