Sylvia's Mother

by

Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show

Album: Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show      Released: 1971

US Chart: 5     UK Chart: 2

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Shel Silverstein wrote this as a parody of teen-heartbreak songs. It was delivered with very dramatic emotion.

This flopped when it was first released, but when the record company started promoting it, it took off and became a hit.

In 1972, Silverstein told Rolling Stone magazine that there was a real Sylvia: "I just changed the last name, not to protect the innocent, but because it didn't fit. It happened about eight years ago and was pretty much the way it was in the song. I called Sylvia and her mother said, 'She can't talk to you.' I said, 'Why not?' Her mother said she was packing and she was leaving to get married, which was a big surprise to me. The guy was in Mexico and he was a bullfighter and a painter. At the time I thought that was like being a combination brain surgeon and encyclopedia salesman. Her mother finally let me talk to her, but her last words were, 'Shel, don't spoil it.' For about ten seconds I had this ego charge, as if I could have spoiled it. I couldn't have spoiled it with a sledge hammer."

Silverstein was a popular author and songwriter, who wrote for both children and adults. He was a writer and cartoonist for Playboy magazine, and a best-selling author of children's poems. He wrote "A Boy Named Sue" for Johnny Cash and another hit song for Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show: "Cover Of The Rolling Stone." He died of a heart attack in 1999 at age 68. Learn more about Shel Silverstein in our interview with Mitch Myers.

In the UK, this was kept out of the #1 spot by Donny Osmond's "Puppy Love." (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for all above)

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Comments:

Ha! My mother gave this given name to me after the song was released in 71, although she swears it was after her best friend in the WRAC and I'm like........ 'yer, whatever' The song is kinda catchy, but I prefer 'spending the night together' however too long a title to name a child. I used to get so many torments at school for instance, 'Sylvia's mother said Sylvia's wet the bed' it was crazy. Great song though and I'm proud to be called Sylvia because if it meant so much to my Mum, it's good enough for me :) Cheers, Sylvia York
- Sylvia, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

The first time I heard this song was when my boyfriend and I had an argument in 1994. Since I was pregnant, I went back home to be with my parents. My mother really hated my boyfriend and tried to keep us apart. I had found an old Dr. Hook cassette of my dads an popped it in the tape player and heard this song. When my boyfriend and I worked things out and I moved back to Maine where we lived from Texas where my parents lived, he and I joked about this song and its meaning to our relationship. A few weeks later, we had another large dispute and I left again to live with my parents. He tried to contact me, his family tried to contact me--my mother never told me they called, sent every letter they mailed me back "return to sender" never mentioned a word to me. I thought he abandoned me. He later died, never having seen his son thinking I wanted nothing to do with him. I never stopped waiting for him to call... Powerful song!!
- Karen, Austin, TX

A great song, especially with the voice it is sung with... Very heartbreaking.
- Budoshi, Sandnessjøen, Norway

Here it is: He only wants to say goodbye, but Mrs Avery tells him where to meet her, telling him she is crying (raining). It's ironic.
- Andy, London, United Kingdom

I was just a young kid when this came out and I had a HUGE crush on my Mom's Spanish friend Sylvia...hhhrrruuuummmbbbaaaa.
- Thomas, Somerville, AL

When I first heard this song I was completely there with the hero of the song, living his emotional devastation. Tears poured down my face. What is particularly good is the line "thank you for calling sir, and please would you call back again" so he becomes a complete stranger, so the song has at that point a surreal quality - is this really real?
- Peter G. Brown, London, United Kingdom

I googled "doctor Hook/Sylvia's Mother' and look where it has brought me.The sense of dramatic urgency (and teenage desperation) is attenuated by the operator's "forty cents more for the next three minutes....." Brilliant.
- Eric, Nairobi, Kenya

I am surprised that many of you who posted comments find the song enjoyable and emotional. When listening to it, I laugh, because to me it is one of the silliest and most ludicrous ever written or performed.
- Bill, Howard Beach, NY

This was one of many songs Shel Silverstein wrote for Dr. Hook. When Dennis Locorriere sang it, he sounded like he was in tears, especially on the line "And the operator says forty cents more for the next three minutes please."
- Howard, St. Louis Park, MN

I grew up reading Shel Silverstein so when my dad played this for me and i found out he wrote it i instantly fell in love with this song.
- Kris, Wichita, KS

By the time the end of the song comes, its so melodramatic, it's funny...Were they really trying to convey desperation or were they going for that over the top effect?
- Madison, Norway, ME

I saw Dr. Hook in concert in the 70's. There was an additional verse regarding Sylvia's father. It had something to do with Sylvia being pregnant and the caller was the baby's father. I have never been able to find the lyrics, so it must be in concert only.
- James, Wichita, KS

I have to admit, after hearing the some over and over again, I got the impression that Sylvia's mother was giving out hints to the guy on the phone, telling him her every move, where and when she was leaving and to call back soon, bec she felt him and Sylvia were a good match and she wanted to give him another shot. Anyone else have that thought? or is it crazy? or is it obvious?
- Dave, Austin, TX

Has anyone seen these guys in concert? I understand that an additional part of the song in concert is a conversation with Sylvia's father.
- Lester, New York City, NY

It is almost impossible for me to meet new people without them singing the first few lines of this song! Where at first I found it irritating, I now find it entertaining and have learnt to say: " I am busy so leave me alone!" Having one's name immortalized in song is flattering (risk of people forgetting you is slim) but scary at the same time especially when you find yourself living out some of its contents!
- Sylvia, Suva, United States

i absolutly love this song! it is so sweet. its a really good song to belt out in the car. and it has the best lyrics. very underated
- Dee, khancoban, Australia

Wasn't this song also the title song of a movie by the same or a similar name?
- Richard, Panama

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