Jeannie C. Riley’s Bold Delivery in “Harper Valley P.T.A.”

“Harper Valley P.T.A.” is a country song recorded by American singer Jeannie C. Riley. The song was written by Tom T. Hall and was released as a single in 1968. It was also included on Riley’s album of the same name.

The song is known for its storytelling and narrative style, which conveys the story of a small-town woman, Mrs. Johnson, who exposes the hypocrisy of the local Parent-Teacher Association (P.T.A.) and its members. The song’s chorus features the repeated line, “And it’s one big, big, big, big, happy family.”

“Harper Valley P.T.A.” was a major commercial success and became Jeannie C. Riley’s signature hit. It reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, making her the first woman to achieve this dual chart-topping success.

The song is celebrated for its sassy and assertive lyrics, and it is often considered a classic of the country and country-pop genres. “Harper Valley P.T.A.” remains a favorite among fans of country music and is frequently included in retrospectives of the genre.