Van Morrison brings us today’s classic song of the day, “Tupelo Honey.” Released as a single late in 1971, it peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100 early in 1972. Not a huge hit, for sure, but a great song.
“Tupelo Honey” derives its title from a type of mild-tasting honey produced in the southeastern U.S., including around Tupelo, Mississippi. The melody of the song is very similar to Morrison’s earlier hit, “Crazy Love;” I guess it’s okay to plagiarize yourself.
The song itself isn’t much, very simple chords (I – iii – IV, with an occasional V, over and over) accompanying Morrison’s soulful vocals. I do like the lyrics, though, and the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts:
You can take all the tea in china
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail right around the seven oceans
Drop it straight into the deep blue sea
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee
“Tupelo Honey” is just a simple, soulful song. You can’t not like it.
Which leads us to today’s daily bonus video of the day. It’s Van Morrison and his band performing “Tupelo Honey” live. It’s just like honey from the bee.
