Son Of A Preacher Man

by

Dusty Springfield

Album: Dusty In Memphis      Released: 1969

US Chart: 10     UK Chart: 9

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This 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, The Foo Fighters, Chet Atkins, 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. (thanks, Adam - Dewsbury, England)

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 preacher's sons: Marvin Gay, Wyclef Jean, Tim Curry, John Hurt, John Ashcroft, Martin Luther King Jr.

Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's son Jay Bakker has written an autobiography titled Son Of A Preacher Man. The Bakker's were televangelists who were disgraced in the late '80s when it was revealed that Jim had an affair with Jessica Hahn and bilked his followers out of lots of money. Jim Bakker went to jail for tax evasion.

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 in the movie Pulp Fiction, which made the song popular again in 1994. (thanks, Crystal - Springfield, MO, for all above)

Rap group Cypress Hill sampled this at the beginning of their song "Hits from the Bong."

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Comments:

Neil Young first said "its better to burn out than to fade away," not kurt cobain. although i do respect kurt
- Connor, Rochester, NY

Yes, when you listen to the Dusty and various other versions on youtube the lyrics are "That's when Billy...", not "Cousin Billy..." - although like others I have heard that term used. It would not mean her actual cousin, in a lot of family churches people used to (and probably still do) call other adults Aunty/Uncle and hence the term cousin would just be another child/friend in the church network. Also I think this is very true in the South in the US and in particular in the 'gospel' church movement.
- Ameelia, London, United Kingdom

I always heard it as "Cousin Billy", but assumed that did not necessarily mean a first cousin. Even if it does, first cousin relationships are legal in many states, including several in the Southeast. The style and general atmosphere of the song, along with the accent Dusty is using, suggest Tennessee or perhaps the Carolinas.
- Ekristheh, Halath, United States

Billy wasn't her cousin. The lyric is "That's when Billy would take me walking".
- Richard, Vancouver, BC

Although this song was recorded for the "Dusty In Memphis" album, producers Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin decided thet were not happy with the vocals that Dusty laid down for the song when they were mixing it. So they asked Dusty to re-record the vocal track in a studio in London.
- Ken, Louisville, KY

I have known this song since it was new. Chuck, (see about 5 posts below - and see the first post) in the very first lines of the song the narrator sings "Cousin" Billy. In the Southwestern US the word 'cousin' can mean "related" in many different ways. The middle-to-modern English adopted word "cousin" goes way back to an older idea. In our day, the term need not always mean 'first cousin'. John Martin,46, Fort Worth, TX
- john, Fort Worth, TX

first of all, i would like to try that drink. i fell in love with the song in "Pulp Fiction" --the lyrics caught me and the music is so catchy.
- joycemorrison, PH

Song was first offered to Marilee Rush, who was riding high with the hit Angel in the Morning. Turned it down because of marital/manager problems. Got this from her former husband/manager Neil Rush
- Mark, Seattle, WA

Cypress Hill sampled the guitar riff from this song on their "Hits from the Bong" and it sounds terriffic. After listening to their song, I quite frequently feel the need to get down to it and pop in Dusty's.
- Dennis, Chicagoland burrows, IL

Can anyone tell me anything about the composers of this song? John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins
- Nancy, cranston, RI

My best friend Laurie Richards in Anchorage is the only cross-dressing performer I know who can successfully lip-synch this beautiful song in any drag club in the world with the style and panache it truly deserves. No doubt that upon hearing the rendition, Dusty would proudly exclaim "Laurie, YOU ROCK!"
- Leya Qwest, Anchorage, AK

The lyrics say nothing of Billy being her cousin.
- CHUCK, Chino, CA

Billy-Ray was a 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' A-through the back yard we'd go walkin' Then he'd look into my eyes Lord knows to my surprise
- CHUCK, Chino, CA

she was one of the best vocalists in jpop-rock ever1 Hope whe's up ther still singin'.
- Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC

Dusty was a host on the 1960's British rock TV show, "Ready Steady Go," where she sang this song as one of her own numbers.
- NickC, Ft. Wayne, IN

The mp3 file of this song is now available for download in www.discosantigos.com
- Rato, Lisbon, Portugal

Did anybody realize that the "son of a preacher man" who taught her love was her COUSIN BILLY??!! YOU GO DUSTY!!
- Edward, Miami, FL

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