"Sylvia's Mother" is autobiographical, with songwriter Shel Silverstein drawing upon his unsuccessful attempt to revive a failed relationship.

She later became engaged to another man and ended up as a museum curator at the Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil in Mexico City.

[10] The lyrics tell a similar story: A man, despondent after learning that Sylvia (with whom he had an earlier relationship) is leaving town, tries to telephone her to say one last goodbye.

She pauses for a moment, telling him Sylvia is hurrying to catch a 9 o'clock train, and informing her to take her umbrella because it was starting to rain.

Cash Box said " 'T ain't easy to render unto Silverstein what is Shel's, but this group knows the secret to Top 40 success on this happy/sad tune, bound to be a huge request and sales item.