Sylvia's Mother

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Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, Dr. Hook

About Sylvia's Mother

"Sylvia's Mother" is a 1972 single by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show and the group's first hit song. It was written by Shel Silverstein, produced by Ron Haffkine and was highly successful in the United States, reaching #5 on the Billboard singles chart (tied with "Sexy Eyes" from the album Sometimes You Win for the band's best performing song), as well as #1 in Ireland and #2 in the United Kingdom. It spent 3 weeks at #1 on the Australian music charts, making it the 15th ranked single in Australia for 1972; and also reached #1 in South Africa, where it was the 3rd ranked song for the year. It appeared on the group's first album, Dr. Hook. 


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Dr. Hook

Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show (shortened to Dr. Hook in 1975) is an American rock band, formed in Union City, New Jersey. The band had commercial success in the 1970s with hit singles "Sylvia's Mother", "The Cover of 'Rolling Stone'" (both 1972), "Only Sixteen" (1975), "A Little Bit More" (1976), "Sharing the Night Together" (1978), "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" (1979), "Better Love Next Time" (1979), and "Sexy Eyes" (1980). In addition to its own material, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show performed songs written by the poet Shel Silverstein. The band had eight years of hits in the United States. Its music, spanning novelty songs, acoustic ballads, and soft rock, was played on Top 40, easy listening, and country music outlets throughout the Englis… more »

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10 facts about this song

Songwriter
"Sylvia's Mother" was penned by renowned American author and song-writer, Shel Silverstein.
Release and Chart Success
Released in 1972 as a single from Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show's debut album called "Doctor Hook," it climbed up to the 5th spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and also enjoyed success in various other countries.
Genre
"Sylvia's Mother" is classified as a soft rock ballad with strong storytelling elements typical of Shel Silverstein's writing style.
Inspiration
The inspiration for the song came from a real-life experience of Silverstein's who faced a similar situation as the protagonist described in the song – a man pleading with the mother of his former girlfriend to let him speak to her one last time.
Radio Popularity
The song's success was helped by a lot of airplay on the radio in the early and mid-1970s. Its narrative lyrics and the catchy tune resonated with listeners, ensuring its popularity.
Cover Versions
Over the years, many artists, such as Bobby Bare and Marianne Faithfull, have performed their own renditions of "Sylvia's Mother".
TV Appearances
Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show performed "Sylvia’s Mother" on the show "Rollin' on the River" in 1972.
Selling Point
The song has been especially recognized for its poignant depiction of human emotions, adding to its universal appeal. The pleading tone and the sense of desperation conveyed through the lyrics have made it a memorable piece.
Services Highlighted
"Sylvia's Mother" subtly highlights the operator services that were prevalent in the days of telephones, making it a nostalgic trip down memory lane for some listeners.
Signature Song
Despite the numerous hits by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, "Sylvia's Mother" remains one of their most recognizable songs, and an essential part of their legacy.

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    Sylvia's Mother

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1972

    Billboard #5


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