Tanya Denise Tucker (born October 10, 1958) is an American country music si… Read Full Bio ↴Tanya Denise Tucker (born October 10, 1958) is an American country music singer. She may be best remembered for her debut single and trademark song "Delta Dawn," which went to number 6 on the country charts. Tucker released the song at the age of 13; she became the youngest singer to have a major hit song on the Country charts. Since the song's release, Tucker had major hit songs for the next two decades, and into the 1990s.

Son Of A Preacher Man
Tanya Tucker Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

Chorus:
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, oooh, 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?

Chorus:
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

(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 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

The only boy who could ever reach me
was the sweet-talking son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
was the son of a preacher man

oh yea, ah hah, oh yea!

Overall Meaning

In Tanya Tucker's "Son of a Preacher Man," the singer reminisces about her relationship with Billy-Ray, a preacher's son. The song focuses on the idea that love and attraction are not always easy to navigate, and sometimes we find ourselves drawn to unexpected people. Billy-Ray's status as a preacher's son adds a layer of complexity to their relationship, as their meetings often take place secretly in the back yard. Despite the difficulties, the singer finds that Billy-Ray is the only one who truly understands her and is able to reach her on a deep level.

The lyrics capture the tension between the expectations placed on individuals by their families and communities and the desires of the heart. The singer acknowledges that being good isn't always easy, suggesting that the relationship may challenge the standards set by her family and their religion. However, the connection she feels with Billy-Ray is too strong to ignore, and she finds herself drawn to him despite any potential consequences.

Overall, "Son of a Preacher Man" is a poignant and relatable exploration of the complicated nature of love and attraction. The song highlights the ways in which our desires can conflict with societal norms and expectations, and how we often find ourselves drawn to unexpected people who challenge us to grow and learn.

Line by Line Meaning

Billy-Ray was a preacher's son
The boy Billy-Ray is the son of a preacher

And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
During his father's visits, Billy-Ray would accompany him

When they gathered round and started talkin', That's when Billy would take me walkin'
When the adults were chatting, Billy would take the singer for a walk

A-through the back yard we'd go walkin', Then he'd look into my eyes, Lord knows to my surprise
They walked in the backyard, and then he glanced into her eyes, which stunned her

Being good isn't always easy, No matter how hard I try
It's difficult to always be good, despite trying hard

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
Billy would give the singer reassurances and affection through sweet-talk and kisses

Can I get away again tonight?
The singer desires to meet Billy again tonight

How well I remember, The look that was in his eyes, Stealin' kisses from me on the sly
Singer remembers the lustful glances and secret kisses shared between them

Takin' time to make time, Tellin' me that he's all mine, Learnin' from each other's knowing
They spent time together, him assuring the singer that she's all his, and learning from each other

Lookin' to see how much we've grown, And the only one who could ever reach me, Was the son of a preacher man
They reflect on their personal growth, and Billy, being the preacher's son, was the only one who understood her

The only boy who could ever teach me, Was the son of a preacher man, Yes he was, he was, oh, yes he was
Billy taught the singer valuable lessons, and this fact is emphasized

Contributed by Savannah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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