Honey (Mariah Carey Song)

Honey (Mariah Carey Song)

"Honey" is a hit song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album, Butterfly. It was released as the lead single from the album on August 26, 1997 by Columbia Records. The song was written by Carey, Puff Daddy, Q-Tip and Stevie J, all of whom served as the song's producers as well. Due to the song's use of two samples: "Hey DJ" by the World's Famous Supreme Team, and "The Body Rock" by the Treacherous Three, additional writers are credited. "Honey" was a re-defining song in Carey's career, pushing her farther into hip-hop than she had gone before. The song's lyrics describe the feeling the protagonist feels towards her lover, and compares the sensation to honey, and its overbearing sweetness.

The song was praised by contemporary music critics, who called Carey's musical transition "genuine". The song experienced strong success in the United States, becoming Carey's third single to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100, a feat that has yet to be duplicated. The song stayed at number one for three weeks, before its descent down the chart. "Honey" also reached number one in Canada, and reached the top ten in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In other most European countries, the song charted outside the top ten, not matching the success of Carey's previous singles.

"Honey" was nominated for two Grammy Awards at the 1998 ceremony, for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. The song did not win either nomination, a typical trend of Carey's nominations at the Grammys. Carey performed "Honey" at the 1998 World Music Awards, Top of the Pops and on Japanese television. Additionally, it was performed throughout Carey's supporting concert tour, the Butterfly World Tour, which played throughout 1998. Carey included the song in the set-list of various live shows and future tours, where she would sing both the original and remix versions.

"Honey" is well known for its accompanying music video, which presented a more sexual and less conservative image of Carey than had been previously seen. The video features Carey being held hostage in a mansion, which she soon after escapes in a James Bond themed video. Subsequent scenes sequence Carey escaping her assailants on a watercraft, dancing aboard a ship with sailors, and frolicking on a beautiful island with her lover. The video garnered much controversy, as many comparisons were made in between the video and the rumors of Carey's failing marriage. While Carey denied the comparisons were anything more than coincidence, many close friends including Walter Afanasieff, Carey's writing partner, felt they were more than obvious.