"Honky Tonk" is a rhythm and blues instrumental written by Billy Butler, Bill Doggett, Clifford Scott, and Shep Shepherd. Doggett recorded it as a two-part single in It peaked at number two for three weeks on the Billboard Hot , and was the biggest R&B hit of the year, spending thirteen non-consecutive weeks at the top of the charts. "Honky Tonk" became Doggett's signature piece and.