It was first recorded by Attitudes, a band consisting of Kortchmar, Paul Stallworth, Jim Keltner and David Foster, who met while backing George Harrison on his album Extra Texture (Read All About It).
[2][5] It was also released as the third single from the album, following "Handy Man" and "Your Smiling Face," which both reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Released more than six months after "Your Smiling Face" in February 1978, the "Honey Don't Leave L.A." single peaked at number 61 in the US.
"[10] Rolling Stone critic Peter Herbst describes the song as "seething" and praises Taylor as "a pretty convincing rock singer" on the track.
[13] "Honey Don't Leave L.A." became a popular song in Taylor's live concerts, often with Sanborn playing saxophone.