Classic Pop Icons

Dusty Springfield’s great 1969 hit “Son of a Preacher Man” is Classic Pop Icons’ Song of the Week.

Dusty signed with Atlantic Records in 1968 in an effort to move her career into a more soulful direction. She was a great admirer of the records made by Aretha Franklin and wanted to experiment with the same musicians. Aretha was in fact offered “Son of a Preacher Man” before Dusty, but had turned it down. Instead, it became perhaps the finest recording from Dusty’s highly regarded album “Dusty in Memphis“, which was released in January 1969 in the US and April 1969 in the UK.

“Son of a Preacher Man” was released on single in November 1968, backed with “Just a Little Lovin'”. The song became not only one of Dusty’s biggest hits, but also one of the most critically acclaimed singles of the 1960s. It appears on many “best of” lists, including a number 43 position on NME’s Greatest Singles of All Time list compiled in 2002.

Despite the success of “Son of a Preacher Man” and the quality of the “Dusty in Memphis” album, Dusty’s career had peaked and she would not make a significant impact on the charts again until her 1987 duet with the Pet Shop Boys titled “What Have I Done to Deserve This?”

The profile of “Son of a Preacher Man” was also raised in 1994 thanks to its inclusion on the excellent soundtrack to the Quentin Tarantino movie “Pulp Fiction.”

Authorship

“Son of a Preacher Man” was written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins.

Recording date/location

“Son of a Preacher Man” was recorded in September 1968 at American Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, with Dusty’s vocals finished off in New York.

Musicians

The following musicians appear on “Son of a Preacher Man”:

• Dusty Springfield – lead vocals
• Reggie Young – guitar
• Tommy Cogbill – bass guitar
• Bobby Emmons – electric piano
• Gene Chrisman – drums
• The Memphis Horns (Wayne Jackson/Andrew Love) – horns
• Sweet Inspirations – backing vocals.

Dusty was apparently unnerved by singing in the same vocal booth as used by the likes of Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, so just provided scratch vocals which the band recorded live to. Her main vocals were recorded in New York.

“Son of a Preacher Man” was produced by Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin.

Chart performance

“Son of a Preacher Man” reached number ten in the US and number nine in the UK. It was Dusty’s last top ten hit until she hit number two in the US and UK with the “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” in 1987.

The album on which “Song of a Preacher Man” appeared, “Dusty in Memphis”, has an excellent reputation but was a commercial flop at the time of release. It hit number 99 in the Us and didn’t chart in the UK.

Covers

Aretha Franklin – “Son of a Preacher Man”

Having initially turned down “Son of a Preacher Man”, Dusty’s success with the song prompted a change of heart from Aretha who recorded a great gospel tinged version of the song for her 1970 album, “This Girl’s In Love With You.” It also appeared on the B-side of her single “Call Me” which hit number 13 in the US.

Bobbie Gentry – “Son Of A Preacher Man”

Bobbie was one of many artists to cover “Son of a Preacher Man” in 1969, including Nancy Wilson, Nancy Sinatra, Ike and Tina Turner, and Mavis Staples.
Bobbie stayed quite close to the Dusty Springfield arrangement on her cover, which featured on her sixth studio album “Touch ‘Em With Love.”

There will be a new Song of the Week on October 25.

“Son of a Preacher Man” is available on the album “Dusty in Memphis” and several Dusty Springfield compilation albums, including the 2-CD “Dusty Springfield – Gold.”

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