Honesty (Write Me a List)
Encyclopedia
"Honesty" is the title of a song written by Patience Clemens and David Kent, and recorded by American country music
artist Rodney Atkins
. It was released in June 2003 as the third single from the album Honesty
. This song was Rodney's fourth chart single, peaking at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs
) chart in 2004, giving Atkins his first Top 10 single. It also reached number 57 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making it a minor crossover hit.
. It centralizes around a couple who is about to divorce. In the beginning of the song, they are at a restaurant and the man asks the woman to write down a list of what she wants (in other words, the physical belongings owned by the couple). Instead of listing objects, however, she writes down what she wants from the man: "honesty, sincerity, tenderness and trust."
The second verse features Atkins singing in a movie theater beside the screen showing the couple, and the wife placing a napkin in her husband's hand. The husband gives her a ring, but the wife leaves the room afterwards. The husband is then seen putting more souvenirs in a box. He is then sitting on a staircase, opening up the napkin his wife gave him, and found, "Honesty, Sincerity, Tenderness, Trust" written on it. The husband kisses his wife while giving her a makeover. The wife is still watching the tape, as her husband gets off the staircase and takes the napkin with him.
The husband fights back tears and looks in his wife's eyes, while putting the box of souvenirs away. Later, he leaves with the new car, while his wife is still in bed, crying.
chart, reaching its peak of number 4 in its 29th chart week on the week of January 3, 2004. It also peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Rodney Atkins
Rodney Atkins
Rodney Allan Atkins is an American country music artist. Signed to Curb Records in 1996, he charted his first single on the Billboard country chart that year, but did not release an album until 2003's Honesty, which included the number 4 hit "Honesty ".If You're Going Through Hell, his second...
. It was released in June 2003 as the third single from the album Honesty
Honesty (Rodney Atkins album)
Honesty is the first album released by American country music artist Rodney Atkins, released in 2003 on Curb Records. It is the second album that he recorded, as a self-titled album in 1997 was recorded for Curb but never issued....
. This song was Rodney's fourth chart single, peaking at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
) chart in 2004, giving Atkins his first Top 10 single. It also reached number 57 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making it a minor crossover hit.
Background and writing
According to an interview, the events of the song were based on true events that happened during co-writer Patience Clemens' separation. She co-wrote it with David Kent, a friend of Atkins who told him about the song.Content
The song is a mid-tempo ballad mostly accompanied by pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. It centralizes around a couple who is about to divorce. In the beginning of the song, they are at a restaurant and the man asks the woman to write down a list of what she wants (in other words, the physical belongings owned by the couple). Instead of listing objects, however, she writes down what she wants from the man: "honesty, sincerity, tenderness and trust."
Music video
The music video was directed by D.J. Webster. It begins with a couple putting souvenirs away in a box, with the woman crying. The man then goes to put the box away. The scene switches to Atkins singing in a park, standing beside an old pickup truck. The wife is seen, watching how the couple got married, on tape. The husband and wife are then seen, on TV, playing in a grass field.The second verse features Atkins singing in a movie theater beside the screen showing the couple, and the wife placing a napkin in her husband's hand. The husband gives her a ring, but the wife leaves the room afterwards. The husband is then seen putting more souvenirs in a box. He is then sitting on a staircase, opening up the napkin his wife gave him, and found, "Honesty, Sincerity, Tenderness, Trust" written on it. The husband kisses his wife while giving her a makeover. The wife is still watching the tape, as her husband gets off the staircase and takes the napkin with him.
The husband fights back tears and looks in his wife's eyes, while putting the box of souvenirs away. Later, he leaves with the new car, while his wife is still in bed, crying.
Chart performance
The song debuted at number 60 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of June 21, 2003. It spent 33 weeks on the Hot Country Singles & TracksHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart, reaching its peak of number 4 in its 29th chart week on the week of January 3, 2004. It also peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
| Chart (2003–2004) | Peak position |
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