Ricky Skaggs – Honey (Open That Door)

“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”

Introduction

I recall a lively evening at a local bluegrass festival, where the crowd erupted with energy as the band launched into “Honey (Open That Door).” The infectious rhythm and spirited melody had everyone clapping and dancing along, embodying the communal joy that bluegrass music so often brings.

About The Composition

Title: Honey (Open That Door)
Composer: Mel Tillis
Premiere Date: Originally recorded by Webb Pierce in 1962; popularized by Ricky Skaggs with his 1984 release.
Album: Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown (Ricky Skaggs’ version)
Genre: Country/Bluegrass

Background

Written by esteemed songwriter Mel Tillis, “Honey (Open That Door)” was first recorded by Webb Pierce for his 1962 album Hideaway Heart. Despite Pierce’s initial recording, the song didn’t achieve significant success until Ricky Skaggs released his rendition in 1984 as part of his album Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown. Skaggs’ version became his seventh number one on the country chart, staying at the top for one week and spending a total of 11 weeks on the chart.

Wikipedia

Musical Style

“Honey (Open That Door)” showcases hallmark elements of bluegrass and country music, featuring lively fiddle and mandolin instrumentation that drive its upbeat tempo. The song’s structure is straightforward, with verses and a catchy chorus that invites audience participation. Skaggs’ clear tenor vocals, complemented by harmony vocals from The Whites, add depth and warmth to the performance. The energetic instrumentation and engaging lyrics create an infectious rhythm that encourages listeners to tap their feet and sing along.

Country Universe

Lyrics

The song narrates the tale of a man pleading with his partner, referred to as “Honey,” to let him back into their home after a series of misadventures. The lyrics convey themes of regret, reconciliation, and the longing for forgiveness, all wrapped in a lighthearted and relatable storytelling style. The repeated plea, “Honey, won’t you open that door?” underscores the protagonist’s desperation and hope for redemption.

Songtell

Performance History

Since its release, “Honey (Open That Door)” has become a staple in Ricky Skaggs’ live performances, often energizing audiences with its upbeat tempo and engaging melody. The song’s popularity is evident in its chart-topping success and enduring presence in country and bluegrass music circles. Notable performances include live renditions at various music festivals and television appearances, where Skaggs’ virtuosic musicianship and charismatic stage presence shine.

Cultural Impact

The song’s success in the 1980s contributed to the resurgence of traditional bluegrass and country music during that era. Its infectious melody and relatable lyrics have led to its inclusion in various compilations and its continued popularity among bluegrass bands and country artists. The song’s appeal extends beyond the genre, resonating with audiences for its storytelling and musicality.

Legacy

“Honey (Open That Door)” remains a beloved classic in the bluegrass and country music repertoire. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the song’s catchy melody, engaging lyrics, and the heartfelt performance by Ricky Skaggs. The song continues to be performed by artists and enjoyed by audiences, reflecting its timeless appeal and significance in American music history.

Conclusion

Reflecting on “Honey (Open That Door),” it’s clear why this song resonates with so many. Its lively instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics capture the essence of bluegrass and country music, offering both entertainment and emotional depth. I encourage you to listen to Ricky Skaggs’ rendition to fully appreciate the song’s charm. For a memorable experience, seek out live performances where the communal energy brings the song to life

Video

Lyrics

Honey, honey, honey, won’t you open that door?
This is your sweet daddy, don’t you love me no more?
It’s cold outside, let me sleep on the floor
Honey, won’t you open that door?
I honky tonked around Dallas
I got in a poker game
Somebody musta been a cheatin’
I lost everything but my name
Well, I walked halfway to Memphis
I finally got back home
But I’d been better off where I was
‘Cause here’s where things went wrong
Honey, honey, honey, won’t you open that door?
This is your sweet daddy, don’t you love me no more?
It’s cold outside, let me sleep on the floor
Honey, won’t you open that door?
I went right down to see old Bob
I thought he was my friend
The landlord said that Bob’s not here
The police done hauled him in
I ran right back to little honey’s house
I got me a rockin’ chair
Now, honey if you don’t open that door
I’m gonna rock on away from here
Honey, honey, honey, won’t you open that door?
This is your sweet daddy, don’t you love me no more?
It’s cold outside, let me sleep on the floor
Honey, won’t you open that door?
Honey, honey, honey, won’t you open that door?
This is your sweet daddy, don’t you love me no more?
It’s cold outside, let me sleep on the floor
Honey, won’t you open that door?
Honey (honey)
Honey (honey)
Honey (honey)
Honey (honey)
Now, honey won’t you open that door?

Country Music

BEFORE HIS FIRST NO. 1, DARRYL WORLEY HAD A DEGREE IN CHEMISTRY AND A JOB FAR FROM A COUNTRY STAGE. He studied biology and chemistry at the University of North Alabama. After graduation, he worked in the chemical industry — the kind of job that gave a man a paycheck, a schedule, and a reason to stop chasing every late-night idea with a guitar. But music kept pulling at him. Worley had grown up in southern Tennessee with a Methodist preacher for a father and a mother who sang in the church choir. He had heard country music in the house before he understood the business around it. So after work, he kept writing. Eventually, he found his way to Muscle Shoals. At FAME Studios, Rick Hall gave him a place to learn the hard side of the craft. Worley spent years writing, playing clubs nearly every night, and trying to make songs work before there was any promise they would ever become records. Muscle Shoals had made room for soul, country, rock, and people who did not fit cleanly in any of them. Darryl belonged there. Five years later, he went to Nashville. The first records gave him a foothold. “When You Need My Love.” “A Good Day to Run.” “Second Wind.” But he was still trying to turn a working songwriter’s life into a real career. Then came “I Miss My Friend.” The song was not flashy. It was built around a man realizing he does not only miss the woman who left — he misses the person who knew his everyday life, his habits, his silence, the ordinary things nobody notices until they are gone. Released in 2002, it became Worley’s first No. 1. The man with a chemistry degree had finally found the formula Nashville could not ignore. But the song did not sound like it came from a formula. It sounded like it came from somebody who had spent enough years waiting to know what absence felt like.

Country Music

BEFORE COUNTRY RADIO KNEW CRAIG MORGAN, HE HAD ALREADY BEEN AN EMT, A PARATROOPER, A SHERIFF’S DEPUTY, AND A MAN WHO HAD SEEN WHAT A BAD NIGHT COULD DO. Craig Morgan did not arrive in Nashville as a kid who had spent every year chasing a record deal. At eighteen, he became an EMT. A few years later, he joined the Army. He served in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, spent years inside military life, and saw combat during the 1989 invasion of Panama. Then came civilian jobs. He worked as a sheriff’s deputy. He worked as a contractor. He worked ordinary jobs that had nothing to do with awards shows or record labels. There were bills. There was family. There was the practical world that tells most people a dream has to wait until the work is done. But music stayed. Craig wrote songs when he could. He played wherever the chance appeared. He did not have the clean biography Nashville likes to print for newcomers. He had a resume that looked like several lives stacked together. When he finally began making records, he did not have to invent a working-man voice. He had been around soldiers, deputies, hospital calls, rural jobs, and people who measured life by whether everyone came home safely. Songs like “International Harvester,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” and “Almost Home” did not come from a costume. They came from somebody who knew the difference between a story and a shift that still had to be worked tomorrow morning. Country music did not give Craig Morgan an identity. It gave him another place to use one he already had.

Country Music

SEVEN YEARS AFTER LOSING HIS SON, CRAIG MORGAN WALKED BACK ONTO THE OPRY STAGE IN UNIFORM AND REJOINED THE ARMY AT 59. Craig Morgan had already spent seventeen years in the Army and Army Reserve before country music gave him another life. He had served with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. He had been a staff sergeant, a fire support specialist, a paratrooper, and a man who understood service long before he understood red carpets. Then came the records, the Opry membership, the tours, and the songs that made him a familiar voice on country radio. He had left military service three years short of twenty. Then July 29, 2023 came. Morgan walked onto the Grand Ole Opry stage in uniform. The crowd thought they were there for another country show. Instead, officers followed him out. Before a sold-out room, Craig Morgan raised his hand and was sworn back into the U.S. Army Reserve. He was fifty-nine. The process had not been symbolic. He needed a waiver. He had to pass physical tests. He had to prove that the singer people knew from “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and “Redneck Yacht Club” could still meet the standards required of a soldier. The Opry made the moment heavier. It was one of the last places he had spent time with his son Jerry before the boy drowned in 2016. Craig later said that after losing Jerry, every place carried a different meaning. The stage was no longer just a stage. It was a room filled with memory. Then Morgan sang “Soldier.” He was not returning because country music had failed him. He was returning because a part of his life had never felt finished.

Ricky Skaggs – Honey (Open That Door)

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