You’ve been there. You’re humming a melody that feels like a warm blanket, and the phrase "honey top woman" is stuck in your head like a glitch in the Matrix. You grab your guitar, ready to map it out, only to realize the internet is strangely quiet about it. Is it a lost 70s folk gem? A misheard Taylor Swift lyric? Or maybe a regional blues track that never quite made the jump to Spotify?
Let’s be real: "Honey top woman" isn't a single chart-topping hit. It's a lyrical phantom. Most people searching for honey top woman chords are actually looking for one of three things: a misheard line from Taylor Swift’s 2024/2025 era, a confused version of "Honky Tonk Women," or a niche indie track that uses "Honey" as a central metaphor.
Here is the breakdown of what you're likely actually hearing and how to play it.
The Taylor Swift "Honey" Connection
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Reddit lately, specifically the Swiftly Neutral or TLOAS threads, you’ve probably seen the buzz. Taylor Swift’s song simply titled "Honey" has become a massive talking point. While she doesn't explicitly say "honey top woman," the phrasing in the chorus—"Honey, I'm home... pick me up... take it to the floor"—blurs together when you're listening on a bad speaker.
The song is basically a masterclass in Jack Antonoff’s production style: hazy, synth-heavy, but surprisingly simple to play on an acoustic guitar.
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The Chords for Taylor’s "Honey"
Most of the track revolves around a classic I-IV-V progression in the key of E Major.
- Verse: E - A - B
- Chorus: E - A - C#m - B
It’s got that "Lover" era sparkle but with a bit more grit. If you’re struggling with the rhythm, think of it as a "heartbeat" strum. Down-up-slap-down. Simple. If you're a beginner, just throw a capo on the 4th fret and play C, F, and G shapes. It sounds much closer to the record that way.
Is it Actually "Honky Tonk Women"?
Look, it happens. You’re at a bar, the Rolling Stones come on, the lead singer has had one too many, and suddenly "Honky Tonk Women" sounds exactly like "Honey Top Woman."
This is arguably the most famous riff in rock history. Keith Richards played this in Open G tuning (G-D-G-B-D), which is why your standard tuning version probably sounds "off."
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How to get that sound:
- Tune to Open G. Drop your low E to G, A to D, and high E to D.
- The Shape: Most of the song is played with a single finger barred across the strings.
- The "Twang": Hit the 5th fret, then hammer on the 6th and 7th on the middle strings.
If you refuse to retune your guitar (I get it, it's a pain), you can play it in standard G Major. G - C - D. But it won't have that "top" bite that makes the riff legendary.
The Kehlani and "Lace Manhattan" Factor
There’s also the 2017 classic "Honey" by Kehlani. It’s a staple in acoustic circles because it’s so stripped back. The chords here are more sophisticated—think Neo-Soul.
You’re looking at:
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- Gmaj7
- Bm7
- Am7
- D7
It’s got a "honey-sweet" vibe that fits the title perfectly.
Then there's the 2025 wild card: Margaret Qualley. Recording under the name Lace Manhattan for the Ethan Coen film Honey Don’t!, she’s released several tracks that lean into a 1970s private investigator aesthetic. It’s moody, retro, and very "woman on the edge." If you’re hearing a song about a "Honey" who is a "Top Woman" in a position of power, this is your culprit. The chords are usually minor-heavy (Am, Dm, E7) to give it that noir feel.
Why We Get These Lyrics Wrong
Mondegreens. That's the fancy word for misheard lyrics. Our brains want to find patterns. "Honky Tonk" is a weird phrase if you didn't grow up in a specific era. "Honey Top" sounds like a brand of syrup or a specific style of 70s blouse.
Honestly? Most of the time, we’re just searching for a feeling. That "honey" sound—warm, golden, acoustic—is a genre in itself. Whether it’s Sarah Wendlandt’s indie folk or Lizzie Karr’s biting social commentary in her track "Honey," the chords usually stay in the "comfort zone" of G, C, and D.
Actionable Advice for Your Next Jam
If you're still hunting for those exact honey top woman chords, try this "Universal Honey" progression. It works for about 90% of songs with "Honey" in the title:
- Start with a G Major. Keep it bright.
- Move to a C Major (Add9). Keep those high fingers on the 3rd fret.
- Drop to an E Minor. Let it breathe.
- End on a D Major. Next Steps for Players:
- Record yourself. If the lyrics are "Honey Top Woman," record the melody. Use an app like Chord AI; it can actually "hear" the frequencies and give you the chord blocks even if the song doesn't exist on Ultimate Guitar yet.
- Check the "Honey Don't!" Soundtrack. Since it's new for 2026, many of the tabs are just now being uploaded to community sites.
- Transpose. If a song feels too "high" or "low," don't be afraid to move your capo. Music is about the vibe, not just following a chart someone wrote in their basement ten years ago.