In 1968, songwriters John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins (who had recently had a hit with "Love of the Common People") wrote the song with Aretha Franklin in mind, according to a 2009 interview with Wilkins. Atlantic Records producer and co-owner Jerry Wexler, who was recording Dusty Springfield's first Atlantic album in Memphis at the time, liked the song and suggested it to Springfield for the Dusty in Memphis album.
Following Springfield's top-10 single release, the song was recorded in 1969 by Franklin for her This Girl's in Love with You album. Franklin's version also appeared as the B-side of her hit single "Call Me". Franklin's older sister Erma Franklin also recorded the song and included it on her 1969 Brunswick album Soul Sister.
Son Of A Preacher Man
Aretha Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
When they gathered around the parlour talkin'
That's when Billy would take me walkin'
Through the backyard we'd go walkin'
Then he'd look into my eyes
Lord knows, to my surprise
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 (hallelujah)
Bein' good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd kiss 'n tell me "Everything is all right" (sock it to me)
"Baby, baby everything is all right" (sock it to me)
Can I sneak away again tonight, now?
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man (I tell you that)
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was (hallelujah)
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 (I tell you that)
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, oh he was (hallelujah)
Hallelujah, son of a preacher man
Hallelujah, for the son
Son of a preacher man
Hallelujah, son of a preacher man
Hallelujah, for the son
Son of a preacher man
He's only boy, yes he is, who could ever reach me
Son of a preacher man
He's only boy who could ever teach me
Son of a preacher man
Aretha Franklin's song "Son of a Preacher Man" tells the story of a young girl who falls in love with the son of a preacher man. The song's protagonist, who is never named, describes how her lover Billy Ray would visit her home with his father and take walks with her. Despite her efforts to be good, she finds herself falling for him as he sweet-talks her and steals kisses.
The chorus of the song repeatedly states that Billy Ray was the only one who could ever reach and teach her. The use of religious language with the phrase "son of a preacher man" adds a layer of irony to the song, as it implies that the singer's love affair with Billy Ray is a sin in the eyes of her lover's father and the church community.
In addition to its catchy melody and soulful vocals, "Son of a Preacher Man" has been praised for its bold lyrics that challenge traditional gender roles and societal expectations. The song's celebration of a young woman's sexual desires and independence was groundbreaking for its time and has made it a beloved classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Billy Ray was a preacher's son
Billy Ray's father was a preacher
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
Billy Ray would accompany his father during visits
When they gathered around the parlour talkin'
When they gathered in the living room for discussions
That's when Billy would take me walkin'
That's when Billy would take me for a walk
Through the backyard we'd go walkin'
We would walk through the backyard
Then he'd look into my eyes
Then he would look into my eyes
Lord knows, to my surprise
I was surprised
The only one who could ever reach me
The only person who could truly connect with me
Was the son of a preacher man
Was Billy, who was a preacher's son
The only boy who could ever teach me
The only boy who could truly teach me
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was (hallelujah)
Yes, Billy was the one
Bein' good isn't always easy
Being good is not always simple
No matter how hard I try
No matter how hard I attempt
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
When he began to be charming to me
He'd kiss 'n tell me "Everything is all right" (sock it to me)
He would kiss me and assure me that everything was okay
"Baby, baby everything is all right" (sock it to me)
"Baby, baby, don't worry, everything is okay"
Can I sneak away again tonight, now?
Can I sneak away again tonight?
How well I remember
I remember it well
The look that was in his eyes
The expression he had in his eyes
Stealin' kisses from me on the sly
Kissing me secretly
Takin' time to make time
Taking time to spend time together
Tellin' me that he's all mine
Telling me that he belongs to me
Learnin' from each other's knowin'
Learning from each other's experience
Lookin' to see how much we've grown and
Reflecting on our personal growth
Hallelujah, son of a preacher man
Praise the Lord for Billy, who is a preacher's son
Hallelujah, for the son
Praise the Lord for the son of a preacher man
Son of a preacher man
Billy, who was raised by a preacher
He's only boy, yes he is, who could ever reach me
Billy was the only boy who could truly understand me
He's only boy who could ever teach me
Billy was the only boy who could truly teach me
Son of a preacher man
Billy, who was the son of a preacher man
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind