Son of a Preacher Man
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"Son of a Preacher Man" is the best known song from Dusty Springfield's 1969 Dusty in Memphis album.
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 she 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 This Girl's in Love With You album, charted only as a tag-along b-side of the "Call Me" single.)
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 USA and number 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 twenty years until she teamed up with the Pet Shop Boys for the single "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" in 1987.
The song has since been covered by artists such as Dina Carroll and Nancy Sinatra, as well as sampled by the rap group Cypress Hill, notably in "Hits from the Bong." Springfield's version became popular again with a younger generation, like a number of other classic popular songs, after its use on the soundtrack to the movie Pulp Fiction. In the 2000s, the song became a staple of strong-voiced female contestants on the very popular 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 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] Artists who have covered the song:
- Cam Clarke
- Dina Carroll
- Collide
- Nancy Sinatra
- Mavis Staples
- Aretha Franklin (Original version; circa 1968)
- Joan Osborne
- Bobbie Gentry
- Natalie Merchant
- Over the Rhine
- Jessica Simpson
- Peggy Little
- Liza Minnelli
- Tracy Chapman
- Melissa Etheridge
- Pansy Division
- Sina
- Tina Turner
- Sherrie Austin
- Prima Vera
- The Bouffants
- Annagrey Labasse
- Donna Lynton
- Eddie Jefferson
- Eve Selis
- Francesca De Fazi
- The Gaylettes
- Laini Risto
- Gema Corredera
- Linda Eder
(Note: Contrary to Internet and urban legend, blues/rock singer Janis Joplin never recorded this song)
