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Dusty Springfield was originally born as Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien on April 16th, 1939. The singer passed away in 1999 from breast cancer. Shortly before her death, though, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A memorial to Dustydustyspringfield.org Dusty's rendition of the popular song is the most well known (besides Creedence Clear Water Revival's version, released a year prior). Dusty Springfield was caucasian and British, but she sang as if she was born with a true African American soul. In 1968, her unique voice earned her a deal with Atlantic Records under the mentorship of its hottest producer at the time, Wexler. She got to travel down south to Dixie R&B to record the gospel-tinged Dusty in Memphis. Ok, well maybe she did actually record vocals in New York, but regardless- her sweet, tangy voice mesmerized won all the ears and hearts of the South. The song is about a young girl who runs off with the son of a preacher, every time the preacher comes to visit. The "Son of a Preacher Man" seduces her and teaches her all about how to love. That being said, the son of this preacher man is the only boy she has ever loved. Do you know who the Preacher actually was? Click "next" to find out... The folk hit was originally written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins about how the famous Aretha Franklin was the daughter of a preacher man, and how John was as well. Aretha Franklin was originally reluctant to record the song, because she found the song to be a little offensive towards preachers. Eventually though, Aretha did subsequently change her mind and did a cover version of it, as well. how long it took to write this tune... In an interview, Ronnie recalls, “We were thinking of Aretha, and her father was a preacher and both of my grandfathers were preachers. I said, ‘She’s the daughter of a preacher man and you might say I’m the son of a preacher man,’ and that’s how we came up with the title. It took us half an hour- maybe 45 minutes, to write the song.” Two weeks later, the song was produced and the two songwriters were able to cut a recording of it with Aretha Franklin, herself. The song was too gospel-esque for the way her album was already sounding, so the two songwriters moved onto other potential takers... The single's album coverdiscog.com Who had the best cover of this song? Click "Next" To Find out.. Dusty's version is again, the most popular version, but the song has such an open range to its sound that it has been covered by many other artists of various genres, including Elvis Presley, Bobbie Gentry, Foo Fighters, Chet Atkins, Joss Stone, and Natalie Merchant. The song was originally offered to Aretha Franklin (who is a preacher's daughter). Aretha subsequently changed her mind and did a cover version of it, as well. Listen Tina Turner's version below: Who was responsible for those gorgeous backup vocals? Click "Next" to find out! The backup vocals were sung by a female choir group called the Sweet Inspirations, who consisted of Cissy Houston, Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown. They were popular in the music world, having sung on albums by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Picket, Van Morrison and many others. With only four singers, they could create a rich, gospel sound that fit in with the song, perfectly. The Sweet Inspirationssoulwalking.com Son of a Preacher Man Lyrics: Billy Ray was a preacher's son And when his daddy would visit he'd come along When they gathered around and started talkin' That's when Billy would take me walkin' Out 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, ooh, yes he was Bein' good isn't always easy No matter how hard I try When he started sweet-talkin' to me He'd come'n 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, ooh, yes he was (yes 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 knowin' 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-talkin' son of a preacher man (The only boy who could ever teach me) Was the son of a preacher man (The only one who could ever reach me) Was the sweet-talkin' son of a preacher man What is your favorite version of "Son of a Preacher Man" ? Tell us in the comments section below! Related: Sing Me Back Home: The Music Of Merle Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) Watch “The King of Soul” Sam Cooke on Ed Sullivan Creedence Clearwater Revival: Sibling Rivalry And Controversy Makes Great Music