Bobby Gentry – Ode to Billy Joe (1967)

About the song

Bobby Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe” is a timeless classic that has captivated listeners since its release in 1967. This haunting and evocative song, written and performed by Gentry, tells the enigmatic story of Billie Joe McAllister’s mysterious suicide off the Tallahatchie Bridge. Its narrative style and haunting melody set it apart, making it one of the most memorable songs of the 1960s.

“Ode to Billie Joe” was included in Gentry’s debut album, “Ode to Billie Joe,” which showcased her unique blend of Southern Gothic storytelling and folk-pop sensibility. The song’s lyrics, filled with vivid imagery and a sense of Southern rural life, invite listeners into a world of hidden emotions and unspoken secrets. The narrative unfolds through a series of conversations at the dinner table, where the seemingly mundane details of everyday life contrast sharply with the underlying tragedy.

Upon its release, “Ode to Billie Joe” quickly climbed the charts, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. It also achieved significant international success, topping charts in Canada and Australia, and reaching the top ten in the UK. The song’s popularity was further solidified when it received several Grammy nominations, winning Best New Artist for Gentry and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Gentry’s evocative storytelling and distinctive voice brought the song to life, making it a standout in her career. The song’s success helped establish her as a significant figure in the music industry, paving the way for future hits. The mystery of Billie Joe’s fate and the reasons behind his leap from the bridge have intrigued listeners and critics alike, sparking numerous interpretations and discussions over the years.

“Ode to Billie Joe” remains a beloved piece of Americana, a song that captures the complexities of human emotions and the secrets that lie beneath the surface of everyday life. For many, it evokes a sense of nostalgia and a connection to the rich storytelling tradition of the American South. Bobby Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe” continues to resonate with audiences, reminding us of the power of a well-told story and the enduring impact of great music.

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Lyrics

It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day
I was out choppin’ cotton, and my brother was balin’ hay
And at dinner time we stopped and walked back to the house to eat
And mama hollered out the back door, y’all, remember to wipe your feet
And then she said, I got some news this mornin’ from Choctaw Ridge
Today, Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

And papa said to mama, as he passed around the blackeyed peas
Well, Billy Joe never had a lick of sense; pass the biscuits, please
There’s five more acres in the lower forty I’ve got to plow
And mama said it was shame about Billy Joe, anyhow
Seems like nothin’ ever comes to no good up on Choctaw Ridge
And now Billy Joe MacAllister’s jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

And brother said he recollected when he, and Tom, and Billie Joe
Put a frog down my back at the Carroll County picture show
And wasn’t I talkin’ to him after church last Sunday night?
I’ll have another piece-a apple pie; you know, it don’t seem right
I saw him at the sawmill yesterday on Choctaw Ridge
And now ya tell me Billie Joe’s jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

And mama said to me, child, what’s happened to your appetite?
I’ve been cookin’ all morning, and you haven’t touched a single bite
That nice young preacher, Brother Taylor, dropped by today
Said he’d be pleased to have dinner on Sunday, oh, by the way
He said he saw a girl that looked a lot like you up on Choctaw Ridge
And she and Billy Joe was throwing somethin’ off the Tallahatchie Bridge

A year has come and gone since we heard the news ’bout Billy Joe
And brother married Becky Thompson; they bought a store in Tupelo
There was a virus going ’round; papa caught it, and he died last spring
And now mama doesn’t seem to want to do much of anything
And me, I spend a lot of time pickin’ flowers up on Choctaw Ridge
And drop them into the muddy water off the Tallahatchie Bridge