About the song
“Ode to Billie Joe” is a classic song performed by Bobbie Gentry that has captivated listeners since its release in 1967. This haunting ballad, written by Gentry herself, is a poignant narrative set in the rural South. It tells the story of the mysterious death of Billie Joe McAllister, who jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge. The song is known for its enigmatic lyrics and melancholic melody, leaving much to the listener’s imagination about the events leading up to Billie Joe’s tragic end.
Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe” was a significant success, both critically and commercially. It was the lead single from her debut album, also titled “Ode to Billie Joe.” The song quickly climbed the charts, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in August 1967. Its success was not confined to the United States; it also charted well internationally, including a notable position in the UK charts.
Gentry’s storytelling prowess is evident in this song, which paints a vivid picture of Southern life and the casual indifference of the family discussing Billie Joe’s death over dinner. The song’s narrative and its minimalistic yet evocative musical arrangement have made it a timeless piece, often covered by various artists and referenced in popular culture. “Ode to Billie Joe” earned Gentry several accolades, including Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, cementing her place in music history.
The song remains a testament to Gentry’s unique talent as a songwriter and performer. Her ability to weave complex emotions and stories into her music has left an indelible mark on the world of country and pop music. Whether you are hearing it for the first time or rediscovering it, “Ode to Billie Joe” is a song that continues to resonate deeply with listeners of all ages.
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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 Billie Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge”And Papa said to Mama as he passed around the black-eyed 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 a 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 BridgeAnd brother said he recollected when he and Tom and Billie Joe
He 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 of apple pie. You know, it don’t seem right
I saw him at the sawmill yesterday on Choctaw Ridge
And now you tell me Billie Joe’s jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge”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 ‘n’ 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 wanna 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