Son-Of-A Preacher Man

Album

Dusty in Memphis

Label

Atlantic Records

Genre

Blue-eyed soul

Composer(s)

John Hurley;Ronnie Wilkins

Entered Chart

Nov 30, 1968

Peak Date

Jan 18, 1969

Released

November 8, 1968

Recorded

American Studios, Memphis, Tennessee, September 1968

Catalog #

Atlantic 45-2580

B-Side

Just A Little Lovin' (Early In The Mornin')

This song is about a young girl who sneaks away with the preacher's son every time his dad comes to visit. This "Son of a Preacher Man" woos her and teaches her about love. He is the only boy she has ever loved. This was written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins. Dusty's version is the most popular, but it has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley, Bobbie Gentry, Foo Fighters, Chet Atkins, Joss Stone, and Natalie Merchant. The song was originally offered to Aretha Franklin (who is a preacher's daughter), but she turned it down because she thought it was disrespectful. She subsequently changed her mind and did a cover version of it. >> Dusty Springfield was born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien in London on 4/16/1939. She died in 1999 or breast cancer. Shortly before her death she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was given the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Some famous preachers' sons: Marvin Gaye, Wyclef Jean, Tim Curry, John Hurt, John Ashcroft, Martin Luther King Jr. The backup vocals were by a female group called the Sweet Inspirations, who were made up of Cissy Houston, Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown. They were the sought-after female backup vocalists in the New York area, having performed on albums by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Picket, Van Morrison and many others. With four singers, they could create a rich, soulful sound that suited this song perfectly. Later in 1969, the Sweet Inspirations went to work for Elvis Presley, touring and recording with him. Cissy Houston left the group at this time so she could spend more time with her children, including her young daughter, Whitney Houston. Report this ad There is a drink called a "Son Of A Preacher Man." It's made with peppermint schnapps, vodka or gin, and lemonade. This was used for a key sequence in the movie Pulp Fiction, which made the song popular again in 1994. Director Quentin Tarantino said he would have cut the scene if he hadn't been able to get the rights to the tune. The rap group Cypress Hill sampled this at the beginning of their song "Hits from the Bong." Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's son Jay Bakker has written an autobiography titled Son Of A Preacher Man. The Bakkers were televangelists who were disgraced in the late '80s when it was revealed that Jim had a sexual encounter with Jessica Hahn and bilked his followers out of lots of money. Jim Bakker went to jail for tax evasion. This was also featured in the 2000 thriller Frequency, starring Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel. The song is skipping on a record player in a dead girl's apartment. This was used in a 1997 Dr. Pepper commercial, where a preacher's son uses the soft drink to woo his crush. In The Office episode "Baby Shower" (2008), Jan Levinson sings this to her baby. It was also used on Sons Of Anarchy in the 2008 episode "Seeds" and on Ally McBeal in the 1999 episode "The Green Monster" (sung by Courtney Thorne-Smith).

Billy Ray was the preacher's son
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
When they gathered 'round 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

Being good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd come and tell me "Everything is alright"
He'd kiss and tell me "Everything is alright"
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, Lord knows, 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)
I kissed me the son of a preacher man
(The only one who could ever move me)
The sweet-lovin' son of a preacher man
(The only one who could ever groove me)
(Was the son of a preacher man)
(The only one who could ever reach me)
(Was the son of a)