Jeannie C. Riley - Return To Harper Valley

Best known for her international crossover hit "Harper Valley P.T.A.," Jeannie C. Riley was born Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson in Anson, TX, where she developed a love of country music as a girl. When she was a teenager, she made her first public performance, appearing on her uncle's jamboree show. Soon after high school graduation, she married Mickey Riley; she wanted to become a professional musician, so she and her new husband moved to Nashville, where she performed secretarial work at Passkey Music. She also made a few demos as Jean Riley that led to the single "What About Them," which wasn't successful. Then, in 1967, her manager Paul Perry hooked Riley up with producer Shelby Singleton, with whom she recorded "Harper Valley P.T.A." The song became an instant hit, reaching number one on both the pop and country charts. Later in 1968, Riley debuted on the Grand Ole Opry and released "The Girl Most Likely," which reached number six on the country charts. During the early '70s, she had a string of minor hits and five other Top Ten singles, including "Country Girl," "Oh, Singer" and "Good Enough to Be Your Wife." Around 1974, Riley became a born-again Christian and formed a new band, Red River Symphony, which had a minor hit in 1976, "The Best I've Ever Had." Following its release, Riley founded and began recording on the God's Country label. In 1981, she recorded the gospel album From Harper Valley to the Mountain Top. Throughout the '80s and '90s, she continued to be a popular contemporary Christian recording and performing artist.
~ Sandra Brennan, All Music Guide
PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads among multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948's oldies classics. LINK: john1948.wikifo...

[@alexiamcgee2860]

2021 why doesn't country music sound like this anymore I'm 16 and I love older country more then new and I love older rock more then newer

[@Rick-if5zb]

All country seems to have crossed over to POP. I grew up on "Real" country and I miss it as well.

[@jeffreyturney4700]

You're welcome

[@FilmingBritain]

I’m here my girl👍

[@imtheboss1826]

Every things evolve.

[@Acridfusion]

I think bucky covington had the last good song.

[@MrWayneWhite]

Why this woman became a one hit wonder is beyond me, because she has powerful voice and could carry a song from here to eternity

[@adrinathegreat3095]

Listening to this may explain why, this song here is virtually the same as her one big hit. You need diversity to survive in the business. Her big hit was massive and she rode on her own gravy train but couldn't follow up on it

[@chancebodie5914]

Because of material like this song?

[@BC-nb7lo]

@@adrinathegreat3095 First this was a MONSTER hit, it would be hard for any artist to replicate. Although I think if she went back to Tom T Hall, and asked for more songs h certainly would have written another for her. In the early 70's she left country music for the most part and became a Born Again Christian and recorded mostly gospel music ... that is why this song is about forgiveness

[@daviddavidson8050]

I thought she had Ode to Billy Joe to? No?

[@jayell2805]

No, that was Bobby Gentry.

[@99RedBalloons-oz1dw]

I'm 18 and I love old country. Oldies are the best

[@danelahemphill1831]

Don't ever stop exploring old jam hunnie! I was you about 20 yrs ago.

[@duncankennedy5900]

Country just ain't country anymore!there is a song in there somewhere

[@JAMIES_LIFE_101]

I have always Loved Older Country Music I'm 32 Till This Coming Monday August 19th I will be 33 Keep Listening to the Older Country Music it's the Best ❤

[@groverlynn4076]

Listen. To Big.al.dowing.amazing.singer.not.well.knowen

[@austin625]

She’s being inducted into the Texas country music hall of fame this weekend!

[@jeffreyj3906]

Good for her I love her God bless you Jeannie

[@JL-iu7fk]

Thanks for the INFO!

[@mysanityizgone4576]

Bout time!

[@davesalisbury1820]

A well-deserved honor.

[@TheBrooklynbodine]

Posting this October 12, 2020. She richly deserves it!

[@markcheek5006]

Jeannie C Riley still looks great and still has a great voice

[@bennyvogelsong8749]

She sure does look good

[@edjo487]

This is how life goes. A true American story when you come back 20 years or so. With her voice and the whole package I do not get how she didn’t have more hits.

[@jssamp4442]

It was probably because she switched from country with some success on pop charts to gospel which has a smaller market.

[@desertgirl2371]

She made her money. She didn't intend to do music forever. She's a missionary

[@desertgirl2371]

@@jssamp4442 Amen. Those have done well too

[@doylevancleave2439]

Yes. And went to school with my sister

[@aliciadaugherty1915]

I am not American , but I like American culture , and this beatiful woman says An a few words the real live in the little country town ! Beatiful voice !

[@toddbishop4129]

I'm 60 years old, so I remember the first original one but it's good to hear that they did it again as they get older.very nice

[@MichaelWilshusen-w4d]

I'm 60 older music is great

[@lauraf361]

Excellent xx, my husband was on a school council for 3 yrs in an Australian parent council. The song is about all country self righteous councils. Long story short, he was able to get his school council sacked becomes of corruption, thats why l love this song. 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

That's the original. This song is more about becoming one of those very hypocrits

[@cynthiaengel568]

When two classmates who’d bullied me in elementary school apologized at our 50th Class Reunion? Like Jeannie C., I realized that God can change hearts. ❤

[@Cruisetravelers]

I’m glad they found you. I was a brutal bully in school and I’ve been searching for the person that I bullied for 20 years to apologize. I regret being so mean every day of my life. I speak out against bullying now.

[@dangrimes5078]

​@@CruisetravelersDo you know what made you that way? I always wondered about that. I saw kids who took it beyond bullying. I always wondered what made them able to be so cruel.

[@Cruisetravelers]

@@dangrimes5078 I think for me it was my insecurities. I was overweight and I don’t have any confidence and I think that being bigger and stronger than someone else made me feel better about myself. As I got older I realized that what I was doing I was doing to a human being with feelings and a family and can be hurt I knew that what I was doing wasn’t cool. When I saw how kids were leaving this world because of bullying I started speaking out because that’s when I truly realized how bad it is and that this needs to stop.

[@allenlovell1604]

I loved the movie version starring Barbara Eden based on the " HarpervValley, PTA ! " This song is classic country music at its best !

[@dennistate5953]

My hero wrote this song. The first one. Wow. Welcome home, everybody!❤❤❤

[@andrewrodriguez8569]

I did not grow up on country music but got here as fast as I could.

[@kenpavey8452]

This is my song, 17 years old just before shipping to Korea, I live in Harper Valley and school was name Harper Valley High School

[@Mr.Bojangles12]

Brought tears to my eyes, and love in my Heart

[@michaelhowarth-w1e]

this woman was stuningly beautiful, she could sing to.😊

[@Thunderdog440]

WOW.. This woman has everything she ever wanted for ONE song and has proven that this is ALL you need. And not to mention she is as beautiful now at 80 than she ever was. What an icon. WE STILL LOVE YOU Jeannie :-)

[@migbham1]

Part of that beauty is because she was 74 when you wrote your comment. 😍 The rest, I fully agree with.

[@SenorZorrozzz]

She was beautiful, you couldn’t be more Beautiful than she was. and sadly a one hit wonder! Why? She had a killer voice. Harper Valley sold 6 million copies when it came out! That was a giant hit!

[@pinkpanda5696]

I love that she did a follow up for all of the characters!

[@henryemrich7209]

Okay.....gotta say it: Who else would do what amounts to a "diss track" - to the song that made initially made her famous? I genuinely respect that, on some level. Jeanie C. Riley is truly "one of a kind".

[@1919Denise]

She looked so beautiful in this video and her voice was adorable.

[@rdl8878]

I remember the song and it was a huge hit. After that, I never heard anything else from her.

[@robertbrown7917]

who ever wrote these songs…very intelligent…..no phrases over and over and over and over and over…..this is the way songs should be written

[@tsmcbride06]

Tom T Hall

[@michellehull7720]

Tom,,t,,hallalsoatx,,,1968,,,themovieisevenfunnierbarberaedenplayedthemother

[@scottrussell6717]

The good songs 🎵 and music are long gone..now nothing but junk... she is soooo gorgeous 😍 and beautiful voice 😍 ❤️

[@debbiecounts4416]

she's so beautiful! The original PTA song is better! She's a great singer!

[@martinthomas1293]

Totally agreed and the movie was awesome to you can truly say they don’t make em like that anymore

[@ManiacRider3113]

Damn, she is beautiful! Love both of the Harper Valley songs

[@davidhodgson9050]

They is 3 more ‘widow jones’ ‘mr Harper’ and ‘sippin Shirley Thompson’ so five in total

[@CynthiaDenton-t4w]

Great song for small town so true

[@gregnormal55.]

Hello!!! How are you doing today! Please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you're a fan... Stay Safe!

[@cockindoodoo]

she was soooooo pretty!!

[@jerrypoindexter9911]

A. Lmao still is

[@rayfreeman3586]

She is still dressing really nice

[@kurtharer8715]

God Bless Jeannie C. Riley. She is for real!

[@PANTTERA1959]

First time hearing part 2,love it. WoW she is still so beautiful.

[@michaelfregoe5875]

Wow, What an incredible voice!

[@JL-iu7fk]

I love this follow-up ( not quite a seperate song) . Now seeing how time changes how much things that were significant gives such perspective of the times. Love this second part of the story from mini skirt to grandma. Simply SOCKING IT PTA REFORMED HYPOCRITES SHE CALLED OUT, GOLDEN!

[@HollyCranfan]

Tom t hall wrote both. So cool he used same beat.

[@JohnnyLouis1145]

Would it surprise anyone that you can judge them and still love them? You may not like every single choice somebody likes, but you can still love them.

[@MelliaBoomBot]

This is brilliant. I love the theme of revisiting an old song years later to find out what happened to the characters.

[@morgancalvi6675]

It wasn't a theme when she redid this song. She turned bible th mper and wanted to redo things with a biblical background.

[@Louis-qi1gz]

Cool 😎👍 first time I've ever heard this

[@drakehonest2]

Hey how are you doing today..?

[@michaelford549]

Love this song good old country music we need more

[@deanjosefmartell701]

Depends on who is Singing. Cyndi Pauper released a Country 💿 2yrs ago "DETOUR" and it's really a cool musical journey. I love it. DM

[@jeffreyworth5830]

Love her voice after all these years

[@terrysellers6712]

She's even prettier than her 1969 day view ❤! Oh, la la🥰😋😍! Woff woff ❤❤❤!

[@MichaelWilshusen-s8v]

Great job show you the beautiful lady

[@vicwilson2332]

I didn't realize how beautiful she had gotten to be. I loved her in 1968 Harper Vally PTA and really love this sequel.

[@drakehonest2]

Hello how are you doing..?

[@claudiaheinowski2139]

A lot of truth in this song. Different town, differt names.

[@andybetz.9978]

Hi Claudia 💐💐

[@kathybruhn2363]

Barbara Eden played the lead actress in the PTA movie she's very pretty too

[@txgunguy2766]

"Did ya hear the one about the cat that ate the cheese then waited by the mouse hole with baited breath?"

[@amyparis4753]

She was 46 when she played the part

[@crystalgsimmonsw.719]

If I could ever be adopted , protected and defended by someone… it’d be a ma’am such as this lady. Mother type….

[@richardmusiclikeslanthier7011]

This woman is extreamly beautiful, and a voice that makes me smile every time i listen to it

[@debbiecampbell5264]

U got this right. When took bible out of school. All this has come to pass. An getting worse. We need to put prayers in school

[@ShainAndrews]

Trying to read your post... It is clear education was not your priority in school. Let me guess one to many prayers in your hot pocket and didn't graduate?

[@alainzilka1018]

Très belle voix et très belle chanson 👍

[@mcwhorter141mcwhorter8]

She got more beautiful as the years went by.

[@colinunderwood3979]

I loved country music when I was 16 I'm 80 now you can find old vinyl country records if you hit the charity shops

[@rasmur1]

I think this sequel is better than the original.

[@groverlynn4076]

She.was Amazing There.were.so.many.talented.singers.this.erar

[@jrrj5582]

I never new this song even existed and I LOVE IT. The song Harper Valley P.T.A was brilliant but this song teaches us a whole new lesson, its about love and forgiveness.

[@marybreitweiser8417]

I didn't realize she had passed until I read a comment here. I actually learned of her passing by reading comments here. I didn't know this song existed until KZbin suggested it. I don't believe she's a one hit wonder tho.... she's been involved in music her entire life.

[@davidhodgson2025]

Jeannie is alive. She resides in brenham happily married to her second husband.

[@lonestarheelers6531]

She went around singing in all the churches around Jones county tx and Abilene tx before she hit it big. I know this as fact, because my family knew her growing up as kids.

[@JL-iu7fk]

She reformed the entire town when she "Socked it to HARPER VALLEY PTA"! Mini skirt wearing , drinking, adaultry, were issues discussed back in her day. People are still fornicating, overindulging intoxicated substances , now it's going on in the parking lot! Love it

[@williamsuesholtz5220]

She out it over beautifully and she was a doll. Let's never forget, however, it was composed by a Country Music Hall of Fame member, the late, great, Tom T. Hall.

[@laurieberry4814]

This lady is beautiful. I love this song. That long black dress would be great for the end of October. She sings about a short dress while she sings with a modest dress that goes down to her ankles.

[@gregnormal55.]

Hello! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day… Stay Safe

[@paulsmith5398]

While im not normally a country music fan, i absolutely love J.C.Riley's songs about the HARPER VALLEY P.T.A.😀😃😀😃😀😃❗

[@louisecollins3909]

I liked it better the first time around but this one is good just hard to beat the first

[@drakehonest2]

Hey how are you doing today..?

[@maryannproffitt44]

Trying to get there Jeannie thanks for inspiring forgiveness however some things are hard to forgive. I know how both songs feel and am praying my widowed mother and I get Justice and peace and freedom and believe we already have despite the moochers that have racked up debt we are paying. Always get that Bible out and say a prayer when confronted with evil and use Your God given talent to bring peace and not hate.

[@berthalloway9953]

Now if people would love one another instead of judging one another!!!!!

[@krazydi5945]

This is a good song. I still love the 1st one. It's my favorite! But you did a great job, describing today's ways and the awesome ways that the PTA members life's turned out!! Good job!!!!

[@brianhenson8083]

My mom was the most beautiful mom in school, really, she was. The wives were threatened. Their hubbies sure looked. Even in my grammar school through the Grange in high school, she was treated poorly by the ladies. The men gathered. My mom was a single working mother. She worked to keep a roof over our heads. Her strength and beauty is so missed by me. Rock those mini skirts over there, Mom !

[@babetteeubanks6693]

This song is wonderful. Nice return to Harper valley PTA. Awesome touch on the bible

[@EJofLA]

Sweet follow up to the original. Don't we all love a happy ending!

[@charleymeckna4751]

Just a Fantastic voice.

[@adriansanders1026]

I grew up in the 1965- 1080's we didn't have a lot of news. Telephone, and all my mom however was our entertainment! She was an awesome singer! I remember every song that played on the tube at that historical time, I miss those days now but at the time out her than sunny and Cher. Hee hee, Tina and ike lol we didn't know very much other than those! 6 decades later hee haw is gone, Cher, Tina Turner, Elton John, and probably others I've failed mention because my memory lapse, ha ha! I still love them all! Peace my friend's! Just know you are all loved forevermore! Adrian from the great state of North Carolina! Peace my friend's!

[@adriansanders1026]

I meant to say 1965- 1980's lol sorry

[@gindywilliams1045]

Aboustly love this... i love harper valley p.t.a. what a great addition to the song thanks for sharing 😊😊💕

[@CarolMaldonado-rj5px]

I loved Country music since I was 16 ,I still listen to the old artists of Country music Because they made country music what it is today And made room for the new country music artists

[@antoniolavecchia1464]

,,,, anch'io amo COUNTRY Music,,,, La sentirei tutto il Giorno. Mi fa' tanto felice,,,anche se la mia cultura e' diversa,,,, Grazie di cuore a tutti gli artistici del County Music. - Dalla Sicilia - ((,,, Italy,,,) 🌹🌹🌹💋💝🍝🍷☕ un carissimo abbraccio a tutti. Ciao!!! ☘️🇮🇹🇺🇲🥰👍🙋‍♂️

[@donnabernal5587]

That was cool I never heard it song that way before

[@gerry.shafer6101]

SHE. SANG. THIS. IN 1970. I. GOT. TO. HOLD. HER. HAND. AT. PEARL. HARBOR. SINGING. THIS. ❤️

[@tsmcbride06]

Very cool. My Father played Bass Guitar on the original recording and album. RIP Dad.

[@dcsnick1]

2024 and love this.

[@robertmaxwell8331]

The prettiest lady Texas ever since Nashville

[@kellyagass1]

Omg . Didn't even realise this absolute banger existed . Definitely a karoke classic on my Spotify playlist as a must learn🎉 best song ever since original 🙌

[@realrickrichards]

I remember the first time that I watch Harper Valley PTA when I was in Jamaica, I love the movie movie. It was the best! And, yes, Jamaicans love USA country music!

[@jayjaynella4539]

And some of country fans really love Boney M, 4 singers from Jamaica.

[@Ranwolfe]

Best looking woman in Country, Rock or any form

[@christinevicker9017]

Gee Jennie the return just as much fun as Harper valley pta go Jeannie go

[@artieoliverio4124]

She is more Beautiful here than in her original recording!!!!

[@suzieparis6821]

Priceless

[@garycarpenter6433]

This is an iconic lady she has a wonderful voice

[@lorrainemarshall4183]

Beautiful, I was thirteen in 1968, loved the the original and this is superb.

[@dannyhuffman]

Hi .Lorraine hope you're okay?

[@lorrainemarshall4183]

@@dannyhuffman I am probably not great health-wise, but I am as good as I can get, considering my doc told me I should have been dead three times over. Our health system is fantastic, I hope not to have any more visits, even if the food is a lot better than mine. Hope you're having a great life.

[@johnmanto1945]

Damn, this is one incredibly beautiful soulful lady

[@bradr1913]

Back when wemon took care of themselves. God she's a queen look at that hair and make up. This is not an insult to today's wemon. Wow what a song. I'm just saying.

[@kevinosborne7270]

I watched Mrs Riley get her doctrine at Lincoln memorial university a few years ago and it was priceless

[@chrisharrison83]

New Orleans Harp on my Nuts Nokia Sprint all the way Back to the 🐴 you rolled in with!!!

[@csmith563]

As I recall hearing, back in the day, b/c (so many self righteous Complained the First song was so Negative, her label asked her to sing this one, 'Saying a drink with Dinner was 'the American Way' Course, most folks exposed to alcoholism, addiction have denial so DEEP they need a 20ft straw to breath...Only My memory....

[@daviddavidson8050]

Damned if you do and damned if you don't, right?

[@brianhenson8083]

You've got that right ! Our generation had a ton of alcoholics. My Irish background proved the rule. My mom was Mrs. Johnson. She was treated so poorly by the other moms. It was the husbands that behaved poorly. Her Mimi skirts rocked. A bit too much, honestly.

[@brianhenson8083]

Mini skirts not mini skirts !

[@Johnny-x2m]

I am very proud to hear some one younger likes real country music

[@ryanrizzo8136]

Gorgeous!!! She almost looks better there than she did 10-15 years prior!

[@sandrastreifel6452]

“Love one another...” AMEN Ms Riley!!!

[@gregnormal55.]

Hello! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day… Stay Safe

[@bigm383]

Jeanie C Riley was a great singer, who would have become very successful as a mainstream artist.

[@brianhenson8083]

Did she ? What are her song titles ?

[@robertfirasek5296]

This is one dam good song love it

[@charlenequinilty7252]

Love the old country music

[@drakehonest2]

Hello how are you doing..?

[@AwesomeAlexAdam]

Cool take on a Classic Ms Riley

[@oldguy2082]

Although she never had another number hit, on either country or pop charts, she has been active until recently and has had a number of song that have charted on the US Country list of top 40 on the weekly list, she has accomplished a very rare honor; A #1 on the weekly charts on both the US & Canada in both country and pop charts. Dolly Partons' 9 to 5, came close; #1 the US on both pop and country, #1 in Canada on the pop, but #2 on the country and Lynn Andersons "I never promised you a rose garden ", did the same on the weekly charts as well. Both 9 to 5 by Parton and I never promised you a rose garden were much more popular world wide and rightly so, but Riley as far as I know, is the only cross over to chart #1 on both pop and country in US and Canada.

[@alishaparker315]

Beautiful inside and out and badass too💪

[@timiszlaub9733]

Hey babe

[@FFM0594]

Totally badass babe!

[@user-ob1sp6zl1z]

I'm totally speechless. Never heard that one before. Seems like the older you get the more fun we're gonna' have here! And you kids........oh well, keep it up 🤪

[@FranSanTeeth90]

This is sweet

[@TOPPY-PFTN]

Wish I could meetbher today...I JAVE ALWAYS LOVED HET...VFKN TRUTH !!!

[@michaeljoyce2096]

Very cool.

[@honestj820]

Hello

[@Jimbo8348]

Great sequel

[@williebooker3516]

I loved the movie and song just today for the first time heard the new version of the song just as wonderful as the first song. Jeannie voice is still beautiful and she is to.thank you for your talent❤

[@ConfusedChihuahua-lt4ue]

There is a movie? What is the name of the movie? I would love to see it!! Someone please respond and let me know the answer, I gotta see it!!!

[@ericheine2414]

Jeannie C Riley congratulations. That was a nice second serving, beautiful vocal, excellent thythm section, tasty guitar. Aces. Thank you so much.

[@brianhenson8083]

Yaaaaas, queen !

[@stephencoster9532]

Hiya, back a few years Jeannie came to England to sing at The Peterborough Festival of Country Music, with Tom T Hall I think. I did the lighting on the mini-tour they did, and Jeannie didn't notice when Tom's son put shaving cream in her boots! Her reason for not realising was. "She was wearing two pairs of socks!" Fun and innocent days...Steve...