Released: August 16, 1975

Label: Mercury

Producer: Ohio Players

All songs on the album were written by James Williams, Clarence Satchell, Leroy Bonner, Marshall Jones, Ralph Middlebrooks, Marvin Pierce & William Beck.

..the Ohio Players were a badass band in the late 60s-mid 70s! They’re known for their hit songs and erotic album covers. Blending funk & R&B/Soul together, Ohio Players were simply flawless and was one of the biggest influences on the sub genre G-Funk (gangsta-funk).

I was introduced to the Ohio Players by my uncle when I was younger. I remember riding in his car and I heard one of their signature songs “Heaven Must Be Like This.” My first listen, I was like what on earth is this?! But then I studied their catalog. & I grew a bigger appreciation for their contributions to music.

Honey is the group’s seventh studio album and is considered their best album. Everything about Honey is immaculate: the aesthetics, music, everything. The album cover is a shot of Playboy magazine’s October 1974 Playmate of the Month Ester Cordet, nude & holding a jar of honey in one hand, and swallowing a spoonful with the other. The album also won a Grammy Award for Best Album Cover Art..

The album was number one on the Billboard R&B album charts, and 2 on the Billboard 200 charts. Honey turns 45 this year, so it’s only right to discuss how immaculate this album is and WHY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME.

Side one

Honey

The title track is the introduction to the greatness that is this album. Honey has the fellas professing their love for their loved one.

“Listen, you know that I adore you. I give my heart if I could afford you. You the one honey.”

Fopp

Are you still “Foppin'” in 2020? It’s one of the funkiest records to have ever exist. STILL. Even Jay Z & Young MC know what’s up!

Let’s Do It (Let’s Love)

“It’s L and a O..and a V..and a E. It takes you, it takes me together…oh let’s LOVE!”

Let’s Love is my favorite song on the Honey album..& why wouldn’t it be? Perfection from the beginning to the end. The instrumentals, the horns, the lyrics, ah. We just love music.

Fun fact: Vanessa Williams covered “Let’s Love!”

Ain’t Givin’ Up No Ground

Another funky number from the group, it gives you nothing but the good vibes.

Side two

Sweet Sticky Thing

Sweet Sticky Thing is a bop for your ASS! 🗣 A warm elegant affair that has the men asking a woman what he has do to do to get her to see he’s the one she needs. The song has been covered by D’Angelo and sampled by OutKast and Ja Rule.

Love Rollercoaster

Love Rollercoaster is one of the best songs of the disco era. The lyrical content is that of a simile: a roller coaster is utilized as a simile for the ups and downs of romance. It actually reminds you of being at a theme park in the summer.

However, the song is attached to some controversy. There are a number of theories as to why there is a scream heard in the middle of the song, with the most known being that someone was being murdered live while the tape was rolling or Ester Cordet was badly burned during the photo shoot and her screams were caught on tape, but that’s not true.

The scream is from Billy Beck, who does a scream during the breakdown part of the song, reminding you of Minnie Riperton.

The song has been sampled by Tony! Toni! Toné! & RuPaul, & covered by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Alone

“I Don’t Wanna Be Alone..” One of my favorite Ohio Players songs, Alone is just that ballad..professing to your lover that you don’t want to be without them. 🙌🏾😩

Honey goes down as one of the best albums from the mid 70s..& is one of the best R&B albums ever if you ask me! 🙌🏾😩 –MJ