Son of a Preacher Man
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Son of a Preacher Man" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by Dusty Springfield | ||
| from the album 'Dusty in Memphis' | ||
| Released | January 13, 1969 | |
| Recorded | American Studios, Memphis, Tennessee: September 1968 | |
| Genre | Rhythm and blues, Pop | |
| Length | 2:29 | |
| Label | Atlantic | |
| Writer(s) | John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins | |
| Producer(s) | Jerry Wexler, Arif Mardin, Jeff Barry, Tom Dowd | |
| Chart positions | ||
|
||
| Dusty Springfield singles chronology | ||
| "Don't Forget About Me" (1969) |
"Son of a Preacher Man" (1969) |
" Willie & Laura Mae Jones" (1969) |
| Dusty in Memphis track listing | ||
| "So Much Love" (2) |
"Son of Preacher Man" (3) |
"I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore" (4) |
"Son of a Preacher Man" is a single released by Dusty Springfield in 1968 and featured on the 1969 album, Dusty in Memphis.
Written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, "Son of a Preacher Man" was originally offered to Aretha Franklin who turned it down. It was only upon hearing Springfield's version that Franklin reconsidered and recorded the song herself. By that time, however, Springfield's version had already become a hit; thus, Franklin's version, included on her 1970 album, This Girl's In Love With You, charted only as a tag-along b-side of the single, "Call Me" .
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 #10 in the United States and #9 in her native UK when released in late 1968. The song, along with the other tracks of the album, was recorded in stereo though her British Label Philips Records remixed the song to mono for single release. It was to be the last major chart hit for the artist for almost 20 years until she teamed up with the Pet Shop Boys for the single "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" in 1987.
Springfield's version became popular again after its use on the soundtrack to the 1994 film Pulp Fiction.
Contents |
[edit] Structure and lyrics
The refrain of the song goes:
- 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, mmm, yes he was
[edit] Cover versions
The song has been covered by numerous artists, such as Dina Carroll and Nancy Sinatra, as well as sampled by the rap group Cypress Hill, notably in "Hits from the Bong." In the 2000s, the song became a staple of strong-voiced female contestants on the television program American Idol. Country diva Dolly Parton has performed the song numerous times, including a 1996 appearance on Late Show with David Letterman, and also reportedly recorded it, but her version remains unreleased. The Gaylettes did an excellent ska cover.
[edit] List of artists who have covered the song
[edit] References
- ^ The Boss is Back, All Music Guide.
- ^ Sign Me, All Music Guide.
- ^ Solid Gold '69, All Music Guide.
- ^ My Heart Will Go On, All Music Guide.
- ^ Cold Turkey, All Music Guide.
- ^ The Carnival, All Music Guide.
- ^ The Carnival, All Music Guide.
- ^ The Collection, All Music Guide.
- ^ Inside Out, All Music Guide.
- ^ Distort, All Music Guide.
- ^ The Cats Will Rock, All Music Guide.
- ^ The Carnival, All Music Guide.
- ^ Girl of Your Dreams, All Music Guide.
- ^ The End of the World, All Music Guide.
- ^ The Carnival, All Music Guide.
- ^ Gold, All Music Guide.
- ^ [1],Dusty Springfield's Hall of Fame induction 1999
- ^ Sixties Soul Sensations, All Music Guide.
- ^ Crucial Reggae Soul Party, All Music Guide.
- ^ Touch 'Em With Love, All Music Guide.
- ^ Blue Basics, All Music Guide.
- ^ The World of Oldies Thekenhits, All Music Guide.
- ^ Always Love You, All Music Guide.
- ^ Take Me With You, All Music Guide.
- ^ Jan Howard, All Music Guide.
- ^ Live and Unplugged, All Music Guide.
- ^ Come Along With Me, All Music Guide.
- ^ Follow Your Heart, All Music Guide.
- ^ Strong for You, All Music Guide.
- ^ Oprah's Pop Star Challenge, All Music Guide.
- ^ Guitar Sounds of the'70s, All Music Guide.
- ^ A Little Bit of Peggy, Dot Records, 1969.
- ^ Liza With a 'Z', All Music Guide.
- ^ Soundtracks for "Prime Time Country", episode dated 15 April 1996, Internet Movie Database.
- ^ Where I Belong, All Music Guide.
- ^ Dr Sohn vom Pfarrär, Sinamania.ch.
- ^ Nancy, All Music Guide.
- ^ Son of a Preacherman, All Music Guide.
- ^ Mavis Staples, All Music Guide.
- ^ Irrésistiblement, All Music Guide.
- ^ Thousand Year Itch, All Music Guide.
- ^ Cosmosonical: Crazy Covers, Vol. 1, All Music Guide.
- ^ Outta Sight!, All Music Guide.
- ^ Mama Kicks, Mama Kicks.
