About The Song
Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show’s hit song “Sylvia’s Mother” was first released in 1972 as their debut single. It was written by Shel Silverstein and produced by Ron Haffkine, becoming one of their biggest successes in the United States, where it peaked at #5 on the Billboard singles chart. The ballad tells a heart-wrenching story of unrequited love and heartbreak.
The song’s meaning is in line with the concept of familial bonds and the often challenging relationships between parents and their children, as they struggle with the emotions of love, joy, and hope in the midst of life’s hardships. The song’s lyrics reflect the delicate balance between those feelings and offer a poignant, memorable account of a universal experience.
Video
Lyrics
Sylvia’s mother says, ‘Sylvia’s busy
Too busy to come to the phone’
Sylvia’s mother says, ‘Sylvia’s tryin’
To start a new life of her own’
Sylvia’s mother says, ‘Sylvia’s happy
So why don’t you leave her alone?’
And the operator says, ’40 cents more for the next 3 minutes’
Please Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her
I’ll only keep her a while
Please Mrs. Avery, I just wanna tell ‘er goodbye
Sylvia’s mother says, ‘Sylvia’s packin’
She’s gonna be leavin’ today’
Sylvia’s mother says, ‘Sylvia’s marryin’
A fella down Galveston way’
Sylvia’s mother says, ‘Please don’t say nothin’
To make her start cryin’ and stay’
And the operator says, ’40 cents more for the next 3 minutes’
Please Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her
I’ll only keep her a while
Please Mrs. Avery, I just wanna tell ‘er goodbye
Sylvia’s mother says, ‘Sylvia’s hurryin’
She’s catchin’ the nine o’clock train’
Sylvia’s mother says, ‘Take your umbrella
Cause Sylvie, it’s startin’ to rain’
And Sylvia’s mother says, ‘Thank you for callin’
And, sir, won’t you call back again?’
And the operator says, ’40 cents more for the next 3 minutes’
Please Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her
I’ll only keep her a while
Please Mrs. Avery, I just wanna tell ‘er goodbye
Tell her goodbye
Please
Tell her goodbye