Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Aretha Franklin
Vocals
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra
Nigel Hitchcock
Alto Saxophone
Ledisi
Background Vocals
Lynne Fiddmont
Background Vocals
Patti Austin
Background Vocals
The Sweet Inspirations
Background Vocals
Valerie Pinkston
Background Vocals
Martin Williams
Baritone Saxophone
Jerry Jemmott
Bass Guitar
Steve Pearce
Bass Guitar
Steve Sidwell
Conductor
Robin Smith
Conductor
Ralph Salmins
Drums
Roger Hawkins
Drums
Eddie Hinton
Guitar
Jimmy Johnson
Guitar
Timothy Cansfield
Guitar
Barry Beckett
Organ
Danny Cummings
Percussion
Pete Murray
Piano
Graeme Blevins
Tenor Saxophone
Jamie Talbot
Tenor Saxophone
Alistair White
Trombone
Andy Wood
Trombone
Nigel Barr
Trombone
Paul Spong
Trumpet
Ryan Quigley
Trumpet
Simon Gardiner
Trumpet
David Hood
Bass Guitar
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
John Hurley
Songwriter
Ronnie Wilkins
Lyrics
Steve Sidwell
String Arranger
Don Reedman
Percussion Arranger
Nick Patrick
Percussion Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Greg Field
Assistant Producer
Peter Schwier
Mixing Engineer
Cecile Tournesac
Editing Engineer
Kirsty Whalley
Editing Engineer
Nigel Reeve
Mastering Engineer
Ray Staff
Mastering Engineer
Don Reedman
Producer
Nick Patrick
Producer
Arif Mardin
Producer
Jerry Wexler
Producer
Tom Dowd
Producer
Lyrics
Billy Ray was a preacher's son
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 back yard we'd go walkin'
Then he'd look into my eyes (ho)
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 (hallelujah)
Yeah, he was (hallelujah)
Oh, he was (oh hallelujah)
Bein' good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd kiss and tell me "everything is all right" (sock it to me)
Baby, baby everything is all right (oh 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 (hallelujah)
Yeah, he was (hallelujah)
Oh, he was (ha)
Hm, mhmm
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 of mine now
Learnin' from each other's knowin'
Lookin' to see how much we've growin' and
The only boy 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)
Ohoh, yes he was (Hallelujah)
Yeah, he was (hallelujah)
Oh, he was (oh hallelujah)
Halleluiah
(Son of a preacher boy, halleluiah)
Hallelujah for the son, now yeah
(Son of a preacher boy, halleluiah)
Halleluiah, yeah
(Son of a preacher boy, halleluiah)
For the son, halle- hallelujah for the son, now
(Son of a preacher boy)
He was the only boy, yes he is, who could ever reach me
(Son of a preacher boy)
He's the only boy who could ever teach me
(Son of a preacher boy)
Writer(s): Ronnie Wilkins, John Hurley
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