“Ode to Billy Joe” written and recorded by Bobbie Gentry, released in 1967

About the song

Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe,” released in 1967, is a timeless folk-pop masterpiece that has captured the hearts and minds of listeners for generations. The song’s enigmatic narrative, coupled with Gentry’s haunting vocals and the evocative imagery of the lyrics, has made it a cultural touchstone.

“Ode to Billie Joe” is a haunting ballad that tells the story of a young man named Billie Joe who jumps off the Tallahatchie Bridge. The song’s lyrics are filled with cryptic references and unanswered questions, leaving the listener to piece together the tragic events that led to Billie Joe’s suicide. Gentry’s haunting vocals and the melancholic melody create a sense of mystery and intrigue.

Musically, “Ode to Billie Joe” is a beautifully crafted folk-pop song that showcases Gentry’s songwriting and vocal abilities. The arrangement is sparse, allowing Gentry’s vocals and the acoustic guitar to take center stage. The song’s repetitive structure and Gentry’s distinctive delivery create a sense of haunting and melancholy.

Beyond its commercial success, “Ode to Billie Joe” has become a cultural touchstone, influencing countless artists and cementing Gentry’s legacy as a pioneer of folk-pop. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal and its ability to connect with listeners on a deep emotional level. As we listen to “Ode to Billie Joe” today, we are reminded of the power of music to evoke powerful emotions and the enduring legacy of Bobbie Gentry’s artistry.

Video

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