Son of a Preacher Man

Dusty Springfield

About Son of a Preacher Man

"Son of a Preacher Man" is a song written and composed by American songwriters John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins and recorded by British singer Dusty Springfield in September 1968 for the album Dusty in Memphis. Springfield's version was produced by Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd, and Arif Mardin for her first album for the Atlantic Records label and became an international hit reaching number 10 in the United States and number nine in her native United Kingdom when it was released in late 1968. The album Dusty in Memphis was released in stereo, though its singles were remixed and released in mono. "Son of a Preacher Man" was to be the last Top Ten chart hit for Springfield for almost 20 years, until she teamed up with Pet Shop Boys for the single "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" in 1987. In 1995 a re-release reached number one in Iceland. 


Year:
2007
2:25
29 
#1

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Billy Ray was a preacher's son
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
When they gathered around and started talkin'
That's when Billy would take me walkin'
Out through the back yard we'd go walkin'
Then he'd look into my eyes
Lord knows, to my surprise

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was

Bein' good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd come'n tell me "Everything is all right"
He'd kiss and tell me "Everything is all right"
Can I get away again tonight?

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was (yes he was)

How well I remember
The look that was in his eyes
Stealin' kisses from me on the sly
Takin' time to make time
Tellin' me that he's all mine
Learnin' from each other's knowin'
Lookin' to see how much we've grown and

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, oh yes he was

(The only one who could ever reach me)
He was the sweet-talkin' son of a preacher man
(The only boy who could ever teach me)
Was the son of a preacher man
(The only one who could ever reach me)
Was the sweet-talkin' son of a preacher man

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Dusty Springfield

Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien OBE (16 April 1939 – 2 March 1999), known professionally as Dusty Springfield, was an English pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s. With her distinctive sensual sound, she was an important blue-eyed soul singer, and at her peak was one of the most successful British female performers, with six top 20 singles on the United States Billboard Hot 100 and sixteen on the United Kingdom Singles Chart from 1963 to 1989. She is a member of both the US Rock and Roll and UK Music Halls of Fame. International polls have named Springfield among the best female rock artists of all time. Her image, supported by a peroxide blonde beehive hairstyle, evening gowns, and heavy make-up, made her an icon of the … more »

4 fans

Written by: John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Genre
"Son of a Preacher Man" is a song that merges elements of pop and soul music genres.
Origin
The song was written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins and first popularized by Dusty Springfield in 1968.
Album
The song is included in Dusty Springfield's fifth studio album titled "Dusty in Memphis".
Chart Success
"Son of a Preacher Man" was a chart success, reaching Number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and Number 9 on the UK Singles Chart in 1968.
Accolades
The song earned Dusty Springfield a nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 1969 Grammy Awards.
Intended Artist
Initially, the song was intended for Aretha Franklin, who is also a preacher's daughter, but she turned it down. However, Franklin recorded it later in 1970.
Cover Versions
"Son of a Preacher Man" has been covered by many artists over the years, including Aretha Franklin herself, Janis Joplin, and Joss Stone.
Inspiration
The lyrics of "Son of a Preacher Man" tell about a young woman who falls in love with the son of a preacher, hence the title. It was reported that the songwriters were inspired by a boy they knew who was a preacher's son.
Pop Culture
The song gained a new round of fame after its inclusion in the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's film "Pulp Fiction" in 1994.
Previous Releases
Before gaining fame through Dusty Springfield, the song was first recorded by American singer, Gail Wynters, in 1967.
Critical Acclaim
“Son of a Preacher Man” is one of Dusty Springfield's most acclaimed songs, regularly included in 'best-of' lists for both the artist and 1960s music in general.

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