Harper Valley P.T.A.
Song by Jeannie C. Riley
43
MENTIONS
14
EPISODES
10
PODCASTS
Search complete. 43 mentions across 14 episodes found for "Harper Valley P.T.A.".
Sep 22, 2026
Michael BerryHOST
I don't know that that's the most important thing you need to hear today, but I've been wanting to say that for a while.
Michael BerryHOST
So it was on this day in 1968 that Jeannie C. Reilly hits number one with Harper Valley PTA, a story that appeals to the small-town left-out person.
Michael BerryHOST
You know, it's a woman.
Michael BerryHOST
She's not married.
Michael BerryHOST
And this isn't so much about the song, it's about the fact that she realized her life, she used the celebrity she achieved from that song to engage in a life of ministry.
Michael BerryHOST
And I think every single person could learn.
Michael BerryHOST
What are you using your power, your superpowers for to save someone else? We decided to play some of your gospel music rather than Harper Valley PTA, because based on our conversation yesterday, I can tell that your ministry, your personal life, your walk, your testimony is is way more important to you than anything.
Michael BerryHOST
winning Grammys and awards as a secular artist?
Cody JosephHOST
I've heard of the song, but I don't think I've heard the song, if that makes sense.
Cody JosephHOST
On this date in 1968, Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C. Reilly hit number one on the pop singles chart.
Cody JosephHOST
All right, none of those words mean anything to me.
Cody JosephHOST
Number one is like the number one song.
speaker_3SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Just working on her night moves Trying to make some front page driving news Working on her night moves in the summertime making memories in the sweet summertime
Dolly PartonSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
summertime I want to tell you all a story about a Harper Valley widow who had a teenage daughter that attended Harper Valley Junior High Well, her daughter came home one afternoon and didn't even stop to play And she said, Mom, I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA
speaker_3SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
There are stars in the southern sky And if ever you decide you should go There is a taste of time sweet as honey Down the seven-ridged road There are stars in the southern sky Southward as you go Down the seven.
speaker_3SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Down the seven.
Larry KratkaHOST
Let It Be, originally done by The Beatles in 1970.
Larry KratkaHOST
Night Moves, originally done by Bob Seger in 1977.
Larry KratkaHOST
Harper Valley PTA, originally done by Jeannie C. Riley in 1968, and Seven Bridges Road, originally done by the Eagles in 1981.
Larry KratkaHOST
Those are just a few small samples of cover versions of Dolly Parton recorded over the years.
ScottHOST
Hey, how you doing out there on Indigo FM land? The show's called Everyone Deserves Music and I'm pretty sure that's the first time I've ever played that particular artist.
ScottHOST
Probably more well-known for a track of hers called Harper Valley PTA.
ScottHOST
That's Jeannie C. Riley with her track The Generation Gap.
ScottHOST
And you're here with Scott on the show today.
KeriHOST
Dolly Parton was only the second woman ever to top both the U.S. country singles chart and the Billboard Hot 100 with the same single.
KeriHOST
The first one was Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C. Reilly.
KeriHOST
which was somebody that Dolly Parton quite liked as well.
KeriHOST
But 9 to 5, her nails even get credit.
Larry KratkaHOST
Time now for our sweet country music feature presentation.
Larry KratkaHOST
And this time I'm going to have Jeannie C. Riley tell you the story of Harper Valley PTA.
Larry KratkaHOST
But did you know there was a sequel to Harper Valley PTA? You're going to hear it.
Larry KratkaHOST
Here we go.
Larry KratkaHOST
Two stories of Harper Valley PTA.
Jeannie C. RileySOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
I want to tell you all a story about a Harper Valley widower.
Jeannie C. RileySOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Who had a teenage daughter Who attended Harper Valley Junior High Well, her daughter came home one afternoon And didn't even stop to play And she said, Mama got a note Here from the Harper Valley PTA Well, the note said, Mrs. Johnson You're wearing your dresses way too high It's reported you've been drinking and running around with men and going wild.
Jeannie C. RileySOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
And we don't believe you ought to be bringing up your little girl this way.
speaker_30SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Freedom's fight can be won, if we all stand as one.
speaker_30SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
[upbeat music] I want to tell you all a story 'bout a Harper Valley widow-wife, who had a teenage daughter that attended Harper Valley Junior High.
speaker_30SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Well, her daughter came home one afternoon and didn't even stop to play.
speaker_30SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
And she said, "Mom, I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA." Well, the note says, "Mrs.
speaker_30SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Johnson, you're wearing your dresses way too high.
speaker_30SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
It's been reported you've been drinking and a-runnin' 'round with men and going wild.
speaker_30SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Now, we don't believe you ought to be a-bringing up your little girl this way." And it was signed by the secretary, Harper Valley PTA.
speaker_30SOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
Well, it happened that the PTA was gonna meet that very afternoon.
AndrewAUDIENCE
Hey, Michael.
AndrewAUDIENCE
Uh, one of my favorite Dolly songs is Harper Valley PTA.
AndrewAUDIENCE
I, I really enjoy that song.
AndrewAUDIENCE
And, you know, for, for your listeners out there, she, she actually has a really, really good kinda TV dinner.
Michael BerryHOST
Mm.
AndrewAUDIENCE
Uh, you know, I th- I think Marilyn Monroe didn't hold a candle to Dolly.
Michael BerryHOST
Did, did she do a cover of Harper Valley PTA?
AndrewAUDIENCE
I, I don't know if she was the original.
Jim LillHOST
Patsy Cline, Crazy.
Jim LillHOST
Jeannie C. Riley, Harper Valley PTA.
Jim LillHOST
That was probably my favorite one when I was a kid.
Jim LillHOST
I thought it was kinda fun.
44 MINS LATER
Jim LillHOST
Parton has stated in numerous interviews that when she wrote the song, she devised the clacking typewriter rhythm by running her acrylic fingernails back and forth against one another.
Jim LillHOST
With this song, Parton became only the second woman to top both the US Country Singles Charts and the Billboard Hot 100 with the same single.
Jim LillHOST
The first was 1968's Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C. Riley.
Jim LillHOST
And personnel, Dolly Parton, lead vocals, nails [laughs] Jeff Baxter, Marty Walsh, guitars, Abraham Laboriel, bass, Larry Knechtel, Knechtel, piano, uh, Rick Shlosser, drums, Leonard Castro, percussion, William Reichenbach, trombone, Tom Saviano, saxophone, Kim S. Hutchcroft, baritone saxophone, Jerry Hey, trumpet, and then Deniece Minelli DeCaro, Stefanie Spurrell, Marty McCall, Joey Scarbury, background vocals.
Marty DudaGUEST
And it was, she recorded it when she was 19, and it was one of her, kind of her first breakout singles, and it came out in 1966.
Marty DudaGUEST
And the reason I chose it is because when I was listening to it today, it reminded me of Harper Valley PTA.
Wallace ChapmanHOST
Oh, right.
Wallace ChapmanHOST
[laughs] Yeah.
4 more episodes mention Harper Valley P.T.A..
Create an account to see the whole feed, search across every transcript, and follow the entities you care about.