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PERFORMING ARTISTS
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Vocals
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra
Nigel Hitchcock
Nigel Hitchcock
Alto Saxophone
Ledisi
Ledisi
Background Vocals
Lynne Fiddmont
Lynne Fiddmont
Background Vocals
Patti Austin
Patti Austin
Background Vocals
The Sweet Inspirations
The Sweet Inspirations
Background Vocals
Valerie Pinkston
Valerie Pinkston
Background Vocals
Martin Williams
Martin Williams
Baritone Saxophone
Jerry Jemmott
Jerry Jemmott
Bass Guitar
Steve Pearce
Steve Pearce
Bass Guitar
Steve Sidwell
Steve Sidwell
Conductor
Robin Smith
Robin Smith
Conductor
Ralph Salmins
Ralph Salmins
Drums
Roger Hawkins
Roger Hawkins
Drums
Eddie Hinton
Eddie Hinton
Guitar
Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson
Guitar
Timothy Cansfield
Timothy Cansfield
Guitar
Barry Beckett
Barry Beckett
Organ
Danny Cummings
Danny Cummings
Percussion
Pete Murray
Pete Murray
Piano
Graeme Blevins
Graeme Blevins
Tenor Saxophone
Jamie Talbot
Jamie Talbot
Tenor Saxophone
Alistair White
Alistair White
Trombone
Andy Wood
Andy Wood
Trombone
Nigel Barr
Nigel Barr
Trombone
Paul Spong
Paul Spong
Trumpet
Ryan Quigley
Ryan Quigley
Trumpet
Simon Gardiner
Simon Gardiner
Trumpet
David Hood
David Hood
Bass Guitar
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
John Hurley
John Hurley
Songwriter
Ronnie Wilkins
Ronnie Wilkins
Lyrics
Steve Sidwell
Steve Sidwell
String Arranger
Don Reedman
Don Reedman
Percussion Arranger
Nick Patrick
Nick Patrick
Percussion Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Greg Field
Greg Field
Assistant Producer
Peter Schwier
Peter Schwier
Mixing Engineer
Cecile Tournesac
Cecile Tournesac
Editing Engineer
Kirsty Whalley
Kirsty Whalley
Editing Engineer
Nigel Reeve
Nigel Reeve
Mastering Engineer
Ray Staff
Ray Staff
Mastering Engineer
Peter Cobbin
Peter Cobbin
Engineer
Don Reedman
Don Reedman
Producer
Nick Patrick
Nick Patrick
Producer
Arif Mardin
Arif Mardin
Producer
Jerry Wexler
Jerry Wexler
Producer
Tom Dowd
Tom Dowd
Producer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Billy Ray was a preacher's son
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
When they gathered around the parlor talking
That's when Billy would take me walking
Through the back yard we'd go walking
Then he'd look into my eyes
Lord knows to my surprise
[Verse 2]
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, he was
(Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah)
[Verse 3]
Being good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talking to me
He'd tell me everything is alright
Baby, baby, everything is alright
Can I sneak away again tonight?
[Verse 4]
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, he was
(Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah)
[Verse 5]
How well I remember
The look that was in his eyes
Stealing kisses from me on the sly
Taking time to make time
Telling me that he's all mine
Learning from each other's knowing
Looking to see how much we've grown and
[Verse 6]
The only boy 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, he was
(Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah)
Hallelujah
[Verse 7]
(Son of a preacher man)
Hallelujah
(Son of a preacher man)
Hallelujah
(Son of a preacher man)
Hallelujah for the son
(Son of a preacher man)
He was the only boy, yes, he is, that could ever reach me
(Son of a preacher man)
(Hallelujah)
Written by: John Hurley, Ronnie Stephens Wilkins

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