Sat, 05 Feb 2005 05:45:22
Something new: The Saturday Share
I love music...my whole life, since I was little, music has been a big part of everything about me. I don’t pay enough attention to it on the blog, so to rectify that, I’m going to try something...the Saturday Share. I’ll throw up a song that I think people should have in their collection, along with some history and whatever else I feel like saying about it.
First up: Dusty Springfield, Son of a Preacher Man (MP3, --alt preset extreme, 4.29MB). Released in 1968, written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, it peaked at #10 on the charts. It sits at #240 on the Rolling Stone 500 greatest songs of all time. The album it was released on, “Dusty in Memphis,” was a bit of a flop, as Ms. Springfield’s career was on it’s way down by 1968.
While the single strongest selling point of this song is Dusty’s silky, sexy voice, the amazing vocal melody and simple musical accompaniment make it one of the most perfect songs of all time. It’s also a testament to what a great singer can do: Dusty was a white chick from England. Listening to this song, you’d swear she was the daughter of a black preacher in Mississippi.
Dusty Springfield never had much of a career after “Dusty in Memphis.” She did a few things with various people over the years, including something with The Pet Shop Boys in the late 80’s. Springfield died in March 1999, succumbing to a four-year battle with breast cancer.
You’ll find the lyrics below.
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
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
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 all right
He’d kiss and tell me everything is all right
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, lord knows 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 knowing
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
He was the sweet-talking son of a preacher man
I guessed he was the son of a preacher man
Sweet-lovin’ son of a preacher man
Ahh, move me
Posted by JimK at 05:45 AM on February 05, 2005
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Categories: Entertainment, Music, SaturdayShare
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#1 Posted by kelli
on 02/05 at 02:40 PM -
Pulp Fiction brought this song to the attention of millions who would’ve never heard of it. That’s my case anyway.
This is a great song, and good to run to as well.