About the song
Sylvia’s Mother is a song by the American rock band Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, released in 1972. It was the band’s first hit single, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topping the charts in Canada, Ireland, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The song was written by Shel Silverstein and tells the story of a man who calls Sylvia’s mother to try to win her back after she has left him. However, Sylvia’s mother tells him that Sylvia is engaged to be married and moving away. The song is a bittersweet ballad about lost love and the passage of time.
The song was a major success for Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, and it helped to establish them as one of the most popular bands of the 1970s. The song has been covered by many artists, including Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell, and Neil Diamond. It has also been featured in a number of films and television shows.
“Sylvia’s Mother” is a classic pop song that has been enjoyed by generations of listeners. It is a timeless story of love and loss that is sure to touch the hearts of anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak.
Here are some additional details about the song:
Writer: Shel Silverstein
Producer: Ron Haffkine
Album: Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show
Release Date: May 1972
Genre: Pop, Rock
Length: 3:00
Record Label: Columbia Records
Video
https://youtu.be/7LXpnNKNxJI
Lyrics
Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s busy
Too busy to come to the phone
Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s trying to start a new life of her own
Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s happy
So why don’t you leave her alone?
And the operator said 40 cents more for the next three minutes
Please, Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her
I’ll only keep her a while
Please, Mrs. Avery, I just want to tell her goodbye
Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s packing
She’s gonna be leaving today
Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s marrying a fella down Galveston way
Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s happy
So why don’t you leave her alone?
And the operator said 40 cents more for the next three minutes
Please, Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her
I’ll only keep her a while
Please, Mrs. Avery, I just want to tell her goodbye
Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s hurrying
She’s catching the nine o’clock train
Sylvia’s mother said, “Take your umbrella ’cause Sylvia, it’s starting to rain
And Sylvia’s mother said, “Thank you for calling, and, sir, won’t you call back again?”
And the operator said 40 cents more for the next three minutes
Please, Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her
I’ll only keep her a while
Please, Mrs. Avery, I just want to tell her goodbye
Tell her goodbye
Tell her goodbye
Tell her goodbye
Please, tell her goodbye