“If Hollywood Don’t Need You (Honey I Still Do)”, a song written by Bob McDill, was recorded by Don Willams for the MCA label, in January 1982, Sound Emporium, 3100 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN together with the song the rest of the album was recorded, Don was accompanied in the recording session by: Billy Sanford (guitar), Dave Kirby (guitar), Lloyd Green (steel), Joseph Allen (bass), Charles Cochran (keyboards) and with the collaborations: Scratch Band, The Nashville String Machine and Sheldon Kurland Strings. With the production of Don Williams and Garth Fundis, the song was released on November 18, 1982, reaching # 1 on the charts of US Hot Country Songs, on March 5, 1983, remaining a total of 20 weeks in the charts. A week later, on March 12, 1983, it also reached # 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts. It was the thirteenth number one of Don’s career.
The song was included in the twelfth Don Williams studio album, Listen to the Radio (MCA 1982), the album was released on March 26, 1982, on July 17, 1982, reached number 6 on the US charts Top Country Albums, remaining a total of 29 weeks in lists.
The song contains a tribute to Burt Reynolds saying: “Oh, and if you see Burt Reynolds would you shake his hand for me / And tell ol ‘Burt I’ve seen all his movies / Well, I hope you make for big time, I hope your dreams come true / But if Hollywood don’t need you, honey, I still do “.
Don Williams – If Hollywood Don’t Need You Lyrics
Well, you know I’m not much good at writin’ letters
So I gave up and decided that I’d call
No, there’s really not much news to tell you
Things back here, they never change at all
It’s cold today, it’s cold here for November
But I hear the weather’s warm out there
Oh, and if you see Burt Reynolds
Would you shake his hand for me?
And tell old Burt, I’ve seen all his movies
Well, I hope you make the big time
I hope your dreams come true
But if Hollywood don’t need you
Honey, I still do
Last night I drove the truck to Amarillo
Some friends and I, we had a laugh or two
But lately we don’t cut up like we used to
‘Cause all that I can think about is you
I know this is what you’ve always wanted
But I know now that all I want is you
Oh, and if you see Burt Reynolds
Would you shake his hand for me?
And tell old Burt, I’ve seen all his movies
Well, I hope you make the big time
I hope your dreams come true
But if Hollywood don’t need you
Honey, I still do
If Hollywood don’t need you
Honey, I still do…
