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SONG TITLE: HARPER VALLEY PTA

PERFORMER: JEANNIE C RILEY

SONGWRITER: TOM T HALL

YEAR OF RELEASE:  1968

COMMENTS: This song tells a good rockin' tale of a merry widow who finds it necessary to put a hypocritical small town school board in their proper place. The school board has sent her daughter home with a note officially condemning Mom's licentious ways. Mom responds by showing up at their meeting (wearing a mini-skirt) to detail the personal vagaries of the school board members themselves. She could give a good goddam what they think of her, but they've put the daughter in the middle, and Mom's having none of that. She is basically protecting her child; that is the ultimate refutation of the charges against her.

The song has the roll to go with the rock. It has a fairly fast tempo, but is smooth and relaxed, light on its feet. The melody seems very feline, the way emphasis is placed on certain words and the way others trail off. I don't know how much of it is the performer and how is in the actual song itself, but I can't imagine a guy singing that melody. Also, don't forget that sexy steel guitar. I can almost see Mom's hips swinging as she walks up to the blackboard. Oh, baby!