Top 10 Honeycombs Songs

Feature Photo: Eric Koch for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Honeycombs emerged from North London during the early 1960s British beat boom, a group that quickly stood apart from many of their contemporaries because their drummer was a woman. Honey Lantree, along with brothers Martin Murray and Alan Ward, originally played together in a local amateur group before joining guitarist Martin Murray’s friend Dennis D’Ell and guitarist Alan Ward to form the lineup that would soon record its first major hit. Manager Joe Meek, a highly inventive British record producer known for unconventional studio techniques, took the group under his wing and helped craft the distinctive sound that would define their brief but memorable chart success.

Their breakthrough arrived in 1964 with the single “Have I the Right?” recorded under Meek’s direction at his home studio in London. The record reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and became an international success, climbing to number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The recording was notable for its unusual production approach, which included musicians stomping their feet on the studio stairs to create a rhythmic effect. The song sold more than 1 million copies and earned a gold disc, firmly establishing The Honeycombs as one of the British groups that successfully crossed into the American market during the height of the British Invasion.

Following the success of “Have I the Right?”, the band continued releasing singles through Pye Records, including “Is It Because,” “Something Better Beginning,” and “That’s the Way.” “Is It Because” reached the UK Top 40 in 1964, while “Something Better Beginning” also charted in Britain and gained attention for continuing the polished pop sound that Meek developed in the studio. Although none of these records matched the global success of their debut hit, they maintained the group’s visibility during a competitive era filled with British beat acts.

The Honeycombs released two studio albums during their recording career. Their debut album, The Honeycombs, arrived in 1964 and included their signature hit “Have I the Right?” along with other singles and beat era recordings. A second album, All Systems Go!, followed in 1965, continuing the group’s energetic pop style while showcasing the songwriting partnership of Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley, who contributed material to several of their singles.

One of the defining characteristics of the band was Honey Lantree’s presence behind the drum kit. At a time when female musicians were rarely positioned as full members of rock groups, Lantree became one of the first women to achieve international visibility as a rock drummer. Her role in the band drew significant attention in the press and helped distinguish The Honeycombs from many of their peers during the mid-1960s.

Personnel changes began affecting the group soon after their initial success. Dennis D’Ell left the band in 1966 and was replaced by Peter Pye, and other lineup adjustments followed as the group continued recording and touring. By the late 1960s, the momentum that had carried them to international chart success had faded, and the band eventually dissolved.

Outside their chart success, members of The Honeycombs remained active in various music-related fields. Honey Lantree later stepped away from the music business and worked as a publican before later returning to occasional reunion performances associated with 1960s revival concerts. The band itself reunited periodically for nostalgia events celebrating British beat era music, where “Have I the Right?” continued to be the centerpiece of their live sets decades after its original release.

# 10 – Goldfinger

We open up our Honeycombs songs list with their fun instrumental cover version of the James Bond classic theme, “Goldfinger.” This was released as the B-side to the next song on our list.

# 9 – Love In Tokyo

The Honeycombs released a series of singles in Japan only. It makes sense that this would be one of them.

# 8 – Eyes

This was a pretty dramatic song. Honey Lantree sounds a little like Keith Moon on this one at times. It’s pretty interesting to listen to her drum fills on this cinematic-style ballad.

# 7 – She’s Too Way Out

This is one of my favorite songs from the band. They loved it in Sweden too, as it went all the way to number one in the country. It woudl become the band’s only other number one single besides “Have I the Right?”

# 6 – Something Better Beginning

The band’s ninth single was issued in 1965. This was a sweet-sounding song that pivoted away from the rock stuff. It peaked at number 39 on the United Kingdom music charts.

# 5 – Is It Because

This was the band’s third single release. It would become their second song to break into the UK top 40, peaking at number 38.

# 4 – Color Slide

The song “Color Slide” was released in 1965 as a single only in Japan and the United States. It failed to chart in either country

# 3 – I Can’t Stop

This rocking tune was released in 1964. It is the second of the band’s only two singles to break into the US music charts.

# 2 – That’s The Way

This is a great one. Make sure to watch the video below. The song was released in 1965. It became the band’s second-highest charting single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 12.

# 1 –Have I the Right?

A burst of pounding rhythm and studio experimentation introduced “Have I the Right?” to the world in 1964, the single that carried The Honeycombs from London club stages to international charts. Written by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley and produced by Joe Meek, the song was recorded in London at Meek’s home studio on Holloway Road, a space famous for its unconventional recording techniques. The lineup on the record featured Dennis D’Ell on lead vocals, Martin Murray on lead guitar, Alan Ward on rhythm guitar, John Lantree on bass, and Honey Lantree on drums.

Meek shaped the recording with distinctive production touches, including the sound of band members stomping on the studio stairs to create the track’s percussive drive. Released by Pye Records in the United Kingdom in 1964, the single quickly climbed to number one on the UK Singles Chart and later reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, while also charting strongly in several other countries. The record sold more than one million copies and was awarded a gold disc, establishing it as one of the most commercially successful British beat singles of the era and the defining recording in The Honeycombs’ catalog.