Bobby Gentry – Ode to Billy Joe (1967)

About the song

“Ode to Billie Joe” stands as a defining masterpiece by American singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry, released in July 1967 on Capitol Records. This haunting ballad not only topped Billboard’s Pop singles chart within five weeks of its release but also made notable appearances in the top 10 across Adult Contemporary and Hot R&B charts, and the top 20 on Hot Country Songs.

The song’s narrative unfolds through sparse acoustic guitar accompaniment and a backdrop of stirring strings. It tells the tale of a Mississippi family’s response to the news of Billie Joe McAllister’s suicide, a local boy with whom the narrator shares a connection unbeknownst to her family. The mystery surrounding what was thrown off the Tallahatchie Bridge became a focal point of public fascination, though Gentry clarified that the object’s identity was intentionally left ambiguous, emphasizing the family’s callous disregard as a central theme.

“Ode to Billie Joe” garnered widespread acclaim, earning Gentry and arranger Jimmie Haskell three Grammy Awards between them. Its influence transcended music, inspiring the 1976 film adaptation *Ode to Billy Joe* and earning a place on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and “Greatest Country Songs” lists. Pitchfork also recognized it among the “200 Best Songs of the 1960s.” In recognition of its cultural and artistic significance, the Library of Congress selected the song for preservation in the National Recording Registry in 2023.

Bobbie Gentry, born in Chickasaw County, Mississippi, cultivated her musical talent against a backdrop of rural roots and academic pursuits. After relocating to California and pursuing studies in philosophy and music, Gentry’s career took shape when she caught the attention of Capitol Records producer Kelly Gordon. Initially recorded as a demo, “Ode to Billie Joe” impressed with its raw emotive power and was released as the A-side of a single paired with “Mississippi Delta.”

Gentry’s decision to infuse the song with a sparse instrumental arrangement—primarily strings arranged by Jimmie Haskell—underscored its melancholic narrative and cinematic quality. The song’s ascent to number one on the charts underscored its broad appeal and cemented Gentry’s place as a pioneering storyteller in popular music.

Beyond its commercial success, “Ode to Billie Joe” resonated deeply with audiences for its introspective lyrics and atmospheric composition. Gentry’s ability to craft a narrative that captivated listeners’ imaginations while exploring themes of rural life, social indifference, and personal tragedy marked her as a singular talent in the music industry. Her deliberate choice to leave certain elements of the song open to interpretation added layers of intrigue that have kept audiences engaged for decades.

In essence, “Ode to Billie Joe” remains a timeless testament to Bobbie Gentry’s artistry, storytelling prowess, and her enduring impact on the landscape of popular music.

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, Billie Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

And papa said to mama, as he passed around the blackeyed peas
Well, Billie 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 Billie Joe, anyhow
Seems like nothin’ ever comes to no good up on Choctaw Ridge
And now Billie 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 Billie Joe was throwing somethin’ off the Tallahatchie Bridge

A year has come and gone since we heard the news ’bout Billie 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