Harper Valley Pta

Dolly Parton

About Harper Valley Pta

"Harper Valley P. T. A." is a country song written by Tom T. Hall which in 1968 became a major international hit single for country singer Jeannie C. Riley. The song was originally recorded by Margie Singleton, on Ashley Records A 5000 in July, 1968. Riley's record sold over six million copies as a single. It was Riley's debut hit and only chart topper, making her the first woman to top both the Billboard Hot 100 and the U. S. Hot Country Singles charts with the same song, a feat that would not be repeated until Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" in 1981.  


Year:
2003
69 
#1

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I want to tell you all a story 'bout a harper valley widow wife
Who had a teenage daughter that attended harper valley junior high
Well her daughter came home one afternoon and didn't even stop to play
And she said, "mama, i've got a note here from the harper valley pta"
Well the note says "mrs. johnson, you're wearing your dresses way too high
It's been reported you've been drinkin' and a runnin' round with men and goin' wild
Now we don't believe you ought to be a bringin' up your little girl this way"
And it was signed by the secretary, harper valley pta

Well it happened that the pta was gonna meet that very afternoon
And boy, were they surprised as mrs. johnson wore her miniskirt into the room
And as she walked up to the blackboard i can still recall the word she had to say
She said "i'd like to address this meeting of the harper valley pta

Now there's bobby taylor sittin' there and seven times he's asked me for a date
And mrs. taylor sure seems to use a lot of ice whenever he's away
And mr. baker can you tell us why your secretary had to leave this town
And shouldn't widow jones be told to keep her window shades all pulled completely down

Now mr. harper couldn't be here 'cause he's stayed too long in kelly's bar again
And if you smell shirley thompson's breath you'll find she's had a little nip of gin
And then you have the nerve to tell me as a mother you think that i ain't fit
Well this is just a little payton place and you're all harper valley hypocrites

Now i wouldn't put you on because it really did, it happened just this way
That day my mama socked it to the harper valley pta
That day my mama socked it to 'em at the harper valley pta

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Dolly Parton

Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, author, and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. She has composed over 3,000 songs, the best known of which include "I Will Always Love You" (a two-time U.S. country chart-topper for Parton, as well as an international pop hit for Whitney Houston), "Jolene", "Coat of Many Colors", "9 to 5", and "My Tennessee Mountain Home". As an actress, she starred in the movies 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias, Gnomeo & Juliet, Straight Talk, Unlikely Angel, and Joyful Noise. She is one of the most successful female country artists of all time; with an estimated 175 million in album sales, Dolly Parton is also o… more »

19 fans

Written by: Tom T. Hall

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Songwriter Origin
"Harper Valley PTA" was written by Tom T. Hall, a popular country music songwriter and singer known for his storytelling style.
Jeannie C. Riley
The song was first recorded by Jeannie C. Riley, an American country music and gospel singer. It is perhaps her most famous song and helped to catapult her into stardom.
Chart Success
When Jeannie C. Riley released the song in 1968, it reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has the unique distinction of being the first song performed by a woman to top both the Billboard Hot 100 and the U.S. Hot Country Singles charts.
Dolly Parton's Version
Country music icon Dolly Parton later covered the song in 1984 for her "The Great Pretender" album.
Television Adaptation
The song inspired a 1978 movie and a subsequent television series, both titled "Harper Valley PTA".
Grammy Award
Jeannie C. Riley's rendition of the song earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1968.
Satirical Theme
The song is well known for its satirical take on small-town gossip and hypocrisy. The song's protagonist, a single mother, rebukes members of the local Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for criticizing her lifestyle while having their own hidden vices.
Song's Impact
"Harper Valley PTA" can be seen as a significant depiction of the feminist and counterculture movements happening in the late 1960s.
The Song Today
Even today, "Harper Valley PTA" remains one of the most popular and iconic songs in the history of country music, and it is still performed and covered by various artists.
Induction into Grammy Hall of Fame
"Harper Valley PTA" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2021, a testament to its enduring legacy in the world of music.

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