Dusty Springfield – Single: Son of a Preacher Man
This classic, written by Muscle Shoals composers John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, was originally intended for Aretha Franklin. Franklin did record it, but producer Jerry Wexler determined it wasn’t the right fit for her album. Wexler, Tom Dowd, and Arif Mardin then produced Springfield’s version, released 50 years ago today, and it was a major international hit from her album Dusty in Memphis. The song reached #10 in the US and #9 in her native UK. It’s considered one of the all-time greatest singles by a number of music publications. It’s also quite popular with sorority girls, as I found out a number of years ago when working as a party-pic photographer in a college town.
Side A: Son of a Preacher Man
Side B: Just a Little Lovin’
-Stephen
50th Music Anniversaries and Other Musings 
Different styled Dusty, no more dramatic high notes, but more soulful and smooth. I believe with this record the term “White Soul” was founded.
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Great song off of a great album. I have never heard Aretha’s version but as great as she was- i can’t imagine it being in the league with this.
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The song never gets old… it sounds fresh every time I hear it. That’s what separates great and good songs…to me
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This is a great tune. While Springfield’s version is an absolute killer, I actually feel this song was made for Aretha Franklin. As such, I don’t get why Wexler apparently thought otherwise. That being said, Franklin’s own take in early 1970 was also great vocally, except she decided to slow it down somewhat, possibly to differentiate it from Springfield. I don’t think that worked too well, which is why I prefer Springfield’s original.
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