Money Honey (Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters song)

"Money Honey", written by Jesse Stone, 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 as the lead singer for Billy Ward and the Dominoes and the song was an immediate hit and remained on the rhythm and blues charts for 23 weeks, peaking at number one. Rolling Stone ranked it #252 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Composition

The song tells the story of a man who has run out of money, and hopes his woman will help him out:

I was clean as a screen and so hard pressed

I called the woman that I love best

In the chorus, he threatens to leave her if she doesn't help him out:

Money Honey

Money Honey

Money Honey, if you want to get along with me

She is literally not buying, she has another man, one who already has money.

The recording

The song was recorded on August 9, 1953, Atlantic Studios and featured Clyde McPhatter (lead), Bill Pinkney (top tenor), Andrew "Bubba" Thrasher (second tenor), Gerhart "Gay" Thrasher (baritone), and Willie Ferbie (bass). There was also a guitarist: Walter Adams.

The recording features Mickey Baker on guitar and Sam "the Man" Taylor on tenor sax. The...
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