THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

882-Dusty Springfield-Son of a Preacher Man.

1968-Number 9 single.

Best Bit-At 1.43. ‘I’m on the intercom,’ Where is it, where is the intercom.’ ‘It’s on the wall by the two African fellows, to the right, warm, warmer, ‘DISCO.’

‘Son of a Preacher Man’ was used in one of the key scenes in the classic 1994 American crime film ‘Pulp Fiction,’ (see also best songs 347 and 301) which was directed by Quentin Tarantino (see also best songs 524) who said that if he hadn’t been allowed to use the song, he would have cut the scene from the movie. The clip from the film proved very popular in Iceland, where the song was re-issued in 1995, and reached Number 1 on ‘Íslenski listinn,’ the Icelandic top 20 music chart.

‘Son of a Preacher Man’ was co-written by John Hurley, (1941-1986) and Ronnie Wilkins, with the production credited to Jerry Wexler, (1917-2008) Arif Mardin, (1932-2006) (see also best songs 985 and 85) Jeff Barry, (see also best songs 820-331-220 and 192) and Tom Dowd, (1925-2002) (see also best songs 475 and 179) and if there was ever a better quartet on a records production, please let me know. ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ was first issued as a single in November 1968, and then as one of the 11 tracks on Dusty Springfield’s fifth studio Album ‘Dusty in Memphis,’ in January 1969. The songs writers John Hurley, and Ronnie Wilkins other best known song is ‘Love of the Common People,’ which was first recorded by ‘The Four Preps’ in 1967, and was most successful when recorded by the Everly Brothers, (Canada Number 4-1968) Nicky Thomas, (UK Number 9-1970) and Paul Young (UK Number 2-1983)

Hurley and Wilkins had written ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ with Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) (see also best songs 644 and 366) in mind, but Jerry Wexler who was working on Dusty Springfield’s debut Album for ‘Atlantic Records,’ ‘Dusty in Memphis,’ on hearing it, liked it so much, that he insisted on Springfield recording it. It is said that Aretha Franklin wasn’t keen on the songs subject initially, with her own father being a Gospel preacher, but she eventually changed her mind, and recorded it for her 1970 Album ‘This Girls in Love With You.’ The song also appears as the ‘B’ side to her 1970 single ‘Call Me.’

Jerry Wexler (see also best songs 644) was born Gerald Wexler on January 10th, 1917, in The Bronx, New York City, United States, he died on August 15th, 2008, from congestive heart failure at the age of 91. Prior to becoming a music producer, Wexler had been a music journalist for ‘Billboard Magazine,’ and it was he who coined the term ”Rhythm and Blues.’ In June 1949 at Wexler’s suggestion, the magazine changed the name of the ‘Race Records’ chart to ‘Rhythm & Blues Records.’ Wexler has said,’Race’ was a common term then, a self-referral used by blacks. On the other hand, ‘Race Records’ didn’t sit well. I came up with a handle I thought suited the music well, ‘Rhythm and Blues.’ It was a label more appropriate to more enlightened times.’ In 1968 on the recommendation of Dusty Springfield, Wexler, along with the co-founder of ‘Atlantic Records’ Ahmet Ertegun (1923-2006) signed Led Zeppelin (see also best songs 135 and 66) to ‘Atlantic,’ and then in 1975 Wexler moved from ‘Atlantic Records’ to its parent company ‘Warner Brothers Records.’ When asked by a documentary filmmaker several years before his death, what he wanted on his tombstone, Wexler replied ‘Two words. More bass.’

‘Dusty in Memphis’ has proved to be a very slow burner. On it’s initial release it sold very poorly, despite ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ going top 10 in the UK, but over the years it has become Springfield’s most acclaimed work, with constant placings in many best of lists. In 2020, the Album was selected by the ‘Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry’ for being ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.’ ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ gave Dusty Springfield her last top 10 UK hit single for 19 years, until collaborating with ‘The Pet Shop Boys’ (see also best songs 871 and 378) on the 1987 Number 2 single ‘What Have I Done To Deserve This?’

‘Son of a Preacher Man’ tells the story of a young girl who sneaks away with the preacher’s son every time that he and his father come to visit. The ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ romances her, and teaches her about love, he would turn out to be the only boy she ever really loved.’

‘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.’