"Honey to the Bee" is a song by English singer Billie from her debut studio album, Honey to the B (1998). It was released on 22 March 1999 and debuted at number three on the UK Singles Chart, which became its peak position. It was not a hit in mainland Europe, but it became one of Billie's highest-charting songs in Australia and New Zealand, reaching number six in the former country and number five in the latter. In Australia, it was the 48th-best-selling song of 1999.
In January 2007, the UK Official Charts Company lifted all restrictions for singles charting on digital sales, allowing songs to appear on the UK chart even if they had not been released physically. In an attempt to exploit the new rules, BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles randomly selected "Honey to the Bee" and began to champion it. As a result, the song reappeared at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart on the week of 21 January, registering a sale of 6,500 downloads.
Music video
The video, which uses the shorter radio edit version in lieu of the full album version, was directed by Katie Bell and features Billie in a computer-animated background, also known as computer-generated imagery."Honey to the Bee" by Billie (mvdbase.com)
Track listings
UK CD1 "Honey to the Bee" (radio edit) – 3:39 "Call Me" – 3:58 "What's Missing" – 3:46
UK CD2 and Australian CD single "Honey to the Bee" (radio edit) – 3:39 "Honey to the Bee" (acoustic version) – 4:24 "Honey to the Bee" (Delakota mix) – 5:00 "Honey to the Bee" (video)
UK cassette single A1. "Honey to the Bee" (radio edit) – 3:39 A2. "She Wants You" (7-inch disco) – 3:29 B1. Interview – 10:05
European CD single "Honey to the Bee" (radio edit) – 3:39 "Call Me" – 3:58
Credits and personnel Credits are lifted from the Honey to the B album booklet.
Studios Recorded at Ridge Farm (Surrey, England) and Marcus Studios (London, England) Mixed at Metropolis Studios (London, England)
Personnel
Wendy Page – writing, backing vocals, vocal arrangement, production Jim Marr – writing, guitar, keyboards, programming, production Billie Piper – vocals London Community Gospel Choir – choral backing vocals Reverend Bazil Meade – choir arrangement Pete Craigie – recording, mixing Steve Cooper – assistant engineering (Ridge Farm) Michelle Barry – assistant engineering (Marcus) Matt Tait – assistant engineering (Metropolis)
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1999)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)13UK Airplay (Music Week) 15 Chart (2007)Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1999)PositionAustralia (ARIA)48UK Singles (OCC)91
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom22 March 1999United States10 August 1999Contemporary hit radio
Play version
In June 2003, Swedish girl group Play covered the song on their third album Replay.Loftus, Johnny. [ "Replay > Review"]. Allmusic. Retrieved 25 December 2008. Play's version featured a trip hop beat and soprano vocals.
References