Bobby Gentry - Ode to Billy Joe | FIRST TIME REACTION

[@tomheglund6994]

She sings like she’s sitting across from you and the family and this is the conversation at the kitchen table having a cup of coffee talking about what happened and with every pause that fit perfectly with where it needs to go in a song and just a beauty of her soft voice and her accent just takes it home

[@bigb6046]

That is the cutest mistake ever. LOL

[@TrentRidley]

As you read, the song's about how people can sometimes display unconscious cruelty. A girl/young woman has just been informed of a boy's/young man's death, a boy/young man she's secretly been having a romantic relationship with. As she tries to silently process this, shocked, broken hearted, and still trying to keep their affair a secret, the people around her make disparaging remarks about him before simply carrying on with their lives with indifference, completely unaware of the cruelty they're inflicting upon her with their words and actions. It's such an interesting concept and was so wonderfully executed in this song.

[@williamharvey3860]

It is not their cruelty that you should get from this but the sadness of a young couple over the stillborn death of their child and nobody knew about their romance or the baby. The depth of Billy’s despair over this drives him to suicide. It isn’t really clear if the couple aborted the child or if it was premature.

[@DuHase-Actual]

Everyone is allowed a Bisstake from time to time. 😊 Have a great day, Biss and all that read this.

[@timradde4328]

New word I have to add to my vocabulary: Bisstake. :)

[@SoCalMeerkat]

No Bisstake, merely a Bissunderstanding.

[@greg2976]

🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍

[@thomastimlin1724]

@@SoCalMeerkat 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@thomastimlin1724]

@@timradde4328 A Bisstake is none of your Bissness...😂

[@kingoftadpoles]

I remember this fondly, from way back. Nice to see someone reacting to it.

[@paulmaxey6377]

I did check and Bobby Gentry is still alive and was born in 1942 and is 82 years old. She retired from singing in 1982 and not performed, recorded or interviewed since then. Ode to Billie Joe is her most famous hit.

[@riksplace]

Beautiful song telling 2 different stories at once.....intertwined over the melody.......casual dinner conversation about Billy Joe......all time great......

[@dagmar.6954]

Bobby Gentry is an American singer-songwriter who was one of the first female artists to compose & produce her own material. A lot of her songs were stories. Her biggest hit was in 1967 with "Ode To Billy Joe". Other hits she wrote & recorded were "Mississippi Delta" & "Fancy". She also had hits with "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", "Sunday Mornin" (with Glen Campbell) etc.

[@gk5891]

If you have reacted to Reba McEntire "Fancy" it's a cover of the Bobby Gentry original.

[@KevinWilliams-yj9nm]

Bobby Gentry is stunningly beautiful.

[@MikeEide]

And yet, another beautiful reaction, Biss. Keep them real. Be yourself, others will adjust.

[@BisscuteReacts]

Thank you, glad you loved the reaction

[@keithowen3523]

This song was a smash hit in 1968. Bobbie Gentry was on every music and variety show. She recorded other songs like “Fancy” which was another smash hit that I am sure you would like. Everyone tried to date her Elvis, Mac Davis you name it. She finally married a rich senator and never preformed again. After that it was like she disappeared.

[@richiecabral3602]

Ha! A "Bisstake"!

[@tenlittleindians]

It was played on the radio for decades.

[@daveray44]

In the movie, Robby Benson played Billy Joe. He's married to Karla DeVito. She's the singer shown in Paradise by the Dashboard light

[@ricklee5845]

What's the name of the movie?... I'd like to watch it!

[@staceycromer1172]

Ode to Billy Joe

[@ricklee5845]

@@staceycromer1172 Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@MikeEnglund-ih1zh]

I met them in the Columbia SC airport. They had a toddler at that time. They're were both super nice and soft spoken.

[@kevenbassett7323]

!! waiting to see the movie with 'Blissfix'

[@greggroberts9730]

This is great. You could’ve easily redone this but I LOVE that you went with it!

[@billbogamer4389]

Love the strings arrangement behind the vocals and guitar too.

[@gavinshickle1814]

"Smart, beauty, brains, talent, artsy, elegant," I thought you were going to say you two have a lot in common.

[@thomastimlin1724]

she' so smart she already knows that we know😂

[@matthewpaul1111]

I do see some resemblance.

[@bob5074]

In case you were wondering. Yazoo, Chickasaw, Talahatchee all are Native American names. The United States is filled with names of places that were named by the native Americans. Here are the States with Native American names. Alabama - named for the Alibamu, a tribe whose name derives from a Choctaw phrase meaning "thicket-clearers"[1] or "plant-cutters" (from albah, "(medicinal) plants", and amo, "to clear").[2] Alaska - from the Aleut phrase alaxsxaq, meaning "the object towards which the action of the sea is directed").[3] Arizona - disputed origin; likely from the O'odham phrase ali ṣona-g, meaning "having a little spring".[4] Arkansas - from the Illinois rendering of the tribal autonym kką:ze (see Kansas, below), which the Miami and Illinois used to refer to the Quapaw.[4] Connecticut - from some Eastern Algonquian language of southern New England (perhaps Mahican), meaning "at the long tidal river" (after the Connecticut River).[5][6] Campbell suggest an origin from the Mohegan meaning simply "long river".[7] Idaho - may be from Plains Apache ídaahę́, "enemy", used to refer to the Comanches,[8] or it may have been an invented word. Illinois - from the French rendering of an Algonquian (perhaps Miami) word apparently meaning "s/he speaks normally" (c.f. Miami ilenweewa),[9] from Proto-Algonquian *elen-, "ordinary" + -wē, "to speak",[10][11] referring to the Illiniwek. Iowa - from Dakota ayúxba or ayuxwe, via French Aiouez.[12][13][14] Kansas - from the autonym kką:ze. Kentucky - from an Iroquoian word meaning "at the meadow" or "on the prairie"[15] (c.f. Seneca gëdá’geh [kẽtaʔkeh], "at the field").[16] Massachusetts - from an Algonquian language of southern New England, and apparently means "near the small big mountain", usually identified as Great Blue Hill on the border of Milton and Canton, Massachusetts[17] (c.f. the Narragansett name Massachusêuck).[17] Michigan - from the Ottawa phrase mishigami, meaning "large water" or "large lake".".[18][19] Minnesota - from the Dakota phrase mni-sota, roughly meaning "cloudy water".[7][20] Mississippi - from an Algonquian language, probably Ojibwe, meaning "big river" (Ojibwe misiziibi).[18][21] Missouri - named for the Missouri tribe, whose name comes from Illinois mihsoori, "dugout canoe".[22] Nebraska - from the Chiwere phrase ñįbraske, meaning "flattened water".[23] New Mexico - the name "Mexico" comes from Nahuatl Mēxihco, of unknown derivation.[24][failed verification] North Dakota and South Dakota - dakhóta comes from the Sioux word for "friend" or "ally".[23] Ohio - from Seneca ohi:yo’, "beautiful river".[25] Oklahoma - invented by Chief Allen Wright as a rough translation of "Indian Territory"; in Choctaw, okla means "people", "tribe", or "nation", and homa- means "red", thus: "Red people".[7][26] Tennessee - derived from the name of a Cherokee village, Tanasi, whose etymology is unknown.[27] Texas - from the Caddo phrase táyshaʔ, meaning "friend".[28][29] Utah - from a language of one of the Ute tribe's neighbors, such as Western Apache yúdah, "high up".[30] Wisconsin - originally "Mescousing", from an Algonquian language, though the source and meaning is not entirely clear; most likely from the Miami word Meskonsing meaning "it lies red"[31][32] (c.f. Ojibwe miskosin).[18] Wyoming - from the Munsee Delaware phrase xwé:wamənk, meaning "at the big river flat".[33]

[@thomastimlin1724]

To us folks in the USA most of us think your accent is so darn cute...Bisscute...we like it...

[@mikethej4218]

I love it when you give Billy Joel a shoutout!!!

[@BisscuteReacts]

hahaha I made a bisstake but hey I admit and tried to fix , thank you for the support

[@vellaropedart9190]

What's really amazing about this particular performance is that she was fighting a cold at the time,and she still pulled an amazing performance. She didn't stay in the music business for very long and in fact,she kind of just took herself away from it. She was definitely a rare kind of artist.

[@robertfindley921]

Good morning Bisscutie! Classic old tune. This song reminds me of growing up in rural Alabama: the good, the bad, and the disturbing.

[@jollyrodgers7272]

This was a huge hit on the radio - she then made all the TV talk shows and variety shows. Biscuits have nothing to do with dying. They made a movie out of this ballad, ODE TO BILLY JOE (1976), and has a surprising plot twist, so react! She's been keeping her own gate - still controls her own productions.

[@jasonjourdain3725]

@Bisscute another great storyteller is Jeannie C Reilly with Harper Valley PTA is a great song

[@Gilbert0Jimenez]

This is a real classic! Love your reaction! You’re beautiful!

[@frankethomas1248]

I'm 72 now, and live in Minnesota. But for much of my life I lived down South (TN, GA, VA) and I grew up on a farm. Back then (when this song was made) most parents would have gone through both the Great Depression AND World War 2. So death was just a part of life. Nobody was happy about it, but nobody got all drama queen over it, either, unless they had a *_deep, personal_* connection to the one who died. In my opinion, it was a good way to live. This is a great song, highlighting the diverse ways in which people react to death...

[@jeffreysummers5397]

I almost started typing to correct you. I am glad that you found out eventually.

[@tomv8611]

It's a joy to watch your reactions you certainly bring a smile to my face

[@BisscuteReacts]

Thank you, glad you loved the reaction

[@tomv8611]

Your very welcome wish you would consider doing a reaction to skid row quick sand and Jesus official video I think you would like it and once again you have the best reaction channel without a doubt

[@bigham1jb]

I did chuckle at the biss,up, easy enough to do.

[@bprocket]

Her version "Son of a Preacher Man" is worth a listen. The Dusty Springfield version is similar. I think Dusty did the song originally.

[@conureron3792]

Such a great performance.

[@BisscuteReacts]

[@albertomagana6577]

Hello Bisscute, great reaction! I hadn’t had the pleasure of knowing this artist or the song before, and I found both very interesting. The song feels quite mysterious because it leaves many loose ends unresolved, allowing everyone to fill in the story as they like. I also found it very striking that, despite being quite long, there are no repeated verses. Each stanza introduces new details or moves the plot forward, with completely fresh lyrics in every section. For your next reaction, I suggest focusing on the singer Leo Sayer performing The Show Must Go On. Greetings from Mexico City!

[@BisscuteReacts]

Thank you, glad you loved the reaction

[@richardkint6531]

Gotta watch the movie Bisscute! Happy that you are authentic and don't edit your reaction. Much respect 😊❤.

[@BisscuteReacts]

[@robertmiller2633]

I love how you said both Bisstake and Bisscurious in the same reaction. Love ya Biss !!

[@gwydion56]

Still love this song after hearing it hundreds of times.

[@marvinsarracino116]

I'm here for the Bisstakes as well! Great reaction to a classic song! Thanks Biss!❤️💛

[@BisscuteReacts]

[@srudine]

Great reaction Biss! Your initial mistake is understandable and forgiven. No problem🥰 I remember when this song came out even as a youngster. Other commenters have listed great songs for your consideration but I would like to suggest other female artist's songs I really enjoy and think you might as well. 1.Lady Antebellum "Need You Now", 2. Lee Ann Womack "I Hope You Dance", 3. K.D. Lang "Constant Craving" are all remarkably beautiful songs I think you and your audience would enjoy. Happy Thanksgiving from Texas❤

[@darylgrange3074]

Hi Bisscute, you are a breath of fresh air in reaction videos, simply the best! Here is another hit by Bobby Gentry, "Fancy". I like your play on words with your name, you are in fact very cute! Thank you for the videos, I'm looking forward to the next one.

[@billbogamer4389]

"Biscurious" love the new word.

[@KingReese9k]

Great reaction Biss the song has a nice story behind it😊keep up the good 👍

[@BisscuteReacts]

Thank you, glad you loved the reaction

[@JustDave59]

No worries, a simple Bissunderstanding. This was a big radio hit when I was a kid.

[@fugazi225]

thanks for reaction

[@BarryHockley-r9x]

Ooh Bisscute that moment you realized was adorable ❤. Female country singers are so soulful, one I love is Crystal Gayle, especially the song "don't it make my brown eyes blue"

[@BisscuteReacts]

[@roberormonde]

Shes a good singer i like the instruments in this song,well written, They use two first names in the south of the usa in there first names alot, idont know either what happened, and I've hered this song over the years,love your reaction & that top looks very sharp with your buitiful hair,take care,& have a nice day buitiful biss you're very high quality ❤😊

[@BisscuteReacts]

Thank you, glad you loved the reaction

[@mjtribby6328]

I love where you went from the start. I am glad I know who Billy Joel is as well. Great reaction to a great video. What a song!

[@mjtribby6328]

You can make all the Bisstakes you would like, I will still enjoy watching your reactions.

[@BisscuteReacts]

Thank you, glad you loved the reaction

[@roberormonde]

Your welcome biss im praying for you take care God bless you❤😊

[@RudineiArantes]

Beautiful and with excellent content as always

[@love68]

🤪🤣🤣🤣🤣 Billy Joe not Joel. I love that you kept your mistake in your reaction. Much love and respect from central Texas. 🙌🤠🙌💯😂😂

[@charlesmarkley220]

Such a beautiful and mysterious song.

[@BisscuteReacts]

[@stevepool8034]

You silly girl. Biss. Lol, good reaction😊It's a great song, nice pick, and keep your sense of humor. No apology needed. And the voice is classic southern like Mississippi. The names of the places are native American. Try Bobby G's duo with Glenn Campbell, Morning Glory.👍

[@BisscuteReacts]

Thank you, glad you loved the reaction

[@BoxerRick]

Its Billy Joe, Baby. The theme of the song is theyre talking bout Billy Joe in passing when they didnt know he was her lover. Theres alot of introspection on this song. Which was her purpose as she was a little before her time. Like you. Id still love to see you dance. ❤✌️

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

It is actually Billie Joe.

[@BoxerRick]

@@libertyresearch-iu4fy 👍 thanks Mom

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

@@BoxerRick Do you ever have gratitude, skippy? Doubt it.

[@BoxerRick]

@libertyresearch-iu4fy I said Thanks

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

@@BoxerRick ah0le

[@EricNess-sc3rh]

Your charm only increases.

[@UncleCharlie111x2]

Bobby Gentry so much style in her voice and so attractive!

[@yellowbeardjamesgibson9297]

Hello Miss Bisscute !!! I suggested this song for story songs & they have Debated this song for Years " what they threw from the bridge " Yet that was Bobbie's best song ( IMHO )yet there are Many artists from that era that are worthy !!! As for Billy Joel I will list 3 like button 🔳 Illuminated ☀ 😎 1) Honestly 2) Just the way you are 3) more than a woman from Billy Joel Yet for more Amazing Artists just for you 1) Etta James ( At Last) 2 ) Roberta Flack ( First Time ever I saw your Face ) 3) Skeeter Davis ( End of the World ) 4 ) The Carpenters ( Top of the World ) 5 ) Anne Murry ( You Needed Me ) Bonus : Kenny Rogers ( She Believes in me ) 😊 These are Suggestions for you as you find the Time Note if you want the tissue songs 1) Blake Sheldon's ( Baby ) 2 ) Sugarland ( Stay ) 3) The Dixie Chick's ( Traveling Solider ) 😊 4 ) the Hollies ( The Air that I breathe )

[@socketwrench7]

Love this song from a long time ago when I was just a kid

[@Bluewizard7131]

This "Southern Gothic" song exemplifies southern life and how people talk around dinner, in this case about death with a little mystery thrown in.

[@the_Kurgan]

You need to hear "Fancy" you'll love it.

[@justitia257]

Nice reaction, beautiful Biss

[@chuckleezodiac24]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Billy Joel! classic bisstake.

[@LuisMiranda-e6n]

i loved the reaction thanx biss! she sings like sheryl crow i think almost the same, beautiful voice! have a nice day! good vibes and much love!

[@BisscuteReacts]

Thank you, glad you loved the reaction

[@hackermusic3355]

People have been asking what the real story is since the day it was released. The movie was made later so that story line may or may not be what she had in mind when she wrote the song.

[@Seigristallen26]

Hi. I really enjoyed this reaction. Can't wait to see your next video.

[@daviddodd7581]

Biss you gotta remember your glasses ha ha but seriously this was a great song from Bobbie other big songs from her were i,ll never fall in love again. Ode To Billy Joe probably has to be her best known song, she was a great singer song writer! Great reaction as always from you❤

[@ThistleAndSea]

That's a good one, isn't it? She could tell a great story. Biss, you might also enjoy her singing Louisiana Man, Mornin' Glory, Sermon, Courtyard, and Tobacco Road. Thanks for sharing this one!

[@Donald-u6n]

Story telling is what makes Bobbi performance stellar. To this day many people understand this song as a lament from a woman towards her star crossed lover who took his life, and the secret that caused her boyfriend to end his life. Melancholy is a word for this song, and you are right Bisscute that quality over quantity is what makes this song and singer special.

[@geoff2504]

Bobbie released a song called “I’ll never fall in love again” and a duet with Glen Campbell called “All I have to do is dream.” Loved them both.

[@billwicketvogel1787]

This is a shortened version of the original song she wrote. We all hope that one day she will release the full-length song as she intended with the omitted lyrics.

[@roadwary]

I could've sworn that I heard you say "I made a Bisstake". lol So cute. Don't feel bad, I don't see well either and it would be very easy to confuse this with Billy Joel. You are taking on not only a language difference but also catching up on decades of old music. Young reactors like you are doing so good. We old timers had decades to let this music soak in. So hats off to you!

[@kennywilkus1632]

Not only is her voice timeless, the song itself is! There has been speculation for over 50yrs about what they threw off that bridge. They made a movie and had their own interpretation of what it was. But no one knows for sure. The best part about this song was the casualness of it. It’s just a nice family sitting around having dinner talking about it. Like it wasn’t a big deal.

[@johnord684]

One of my favorite songs

[@MikeytheGeek7711]

You asked the right questions. What DID they throw off the Tallahatchie Bridge? In the movie, it was a ragdoll, representing the end of her childhood, but Bobby Gentry never said.

[@paulmaxey6377]

The film also had a reason why he jumped off the bridge which was nothing to do with the doll. I won't spoil it just in case you want to watch the film. The film btw was produced by Max Baer JR whose most famous acting role was as Jethro in The Beverly Hillbillies and was the son of World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Max Baer.

[@willlong8942]

It is my understanding that she has commented that "what" was thrown off the bridge is not relevant to the song's message.

[@keithdean9149]

@@willlong8942 You are correct. It's about her family's reaction to the news.

[@markkauder1288]

Genius of a Woman. She wrote and sang quite a few songs, and was very popular on the radio and TV for a while. Other performers did some of her songs.and she produced other artists. She became a race horse owner, and retired from the music industry. She was also part owner of the Phenix Suns Basketball team.

[@donstand2195]

I believe Bisscute is absolutely gorgeous and precious

[@Mike-nw6ge]

They did make a movie about this and it is a good movie.

[@rickjames4434]

best rock songs of the 50s - when it all started - Jerry Lee Lewis, ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ - Chuck Berry, ‘Roll Over Beethoven’- Elvis Presley, ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ - Buddy Holly, ‘Peggy Sue’ - Little Richard, ‘Tutti Frutti’ - Jerry Lee Lewis, ‘Great Balls of Fire’ - Elvis Presley, ‘Hound Dog’ - Chuck Berry, ‘Johnny B Goode’ - Big Mama Thornton, ‘Hound Dog’ - Little Richard, ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’ - Little Richard, ‘Long Tall Sally’ - i will stop here - i think you would really like most if not all of them - live are the best - love your reaction as Allways

[@BisscuteReacts]

Thank you for the suggestions

[@ronlopo6269]

i love your -- bisstakes there so cute & so are you

[@davemcbroom695]

I've driven over that bridge.

[@Gracealone111]

Well done. Keep it up. 😎👍

[@allengray5748]

So I first heard this song with the movie 🍿🎥 and even as a kid I recognized the creepy vibe. The mind boggling thing about her BRILLIANT performance is the timing of her vocals while playing ⁉️⁉️ The way she delayed with some hang time on a couple parts. Any other would be tight to the strumming. Great Reaction Bliss cute!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎🎸🤟🏼

[@BisscuteReacts]

Thank you, glad you loved the reaction

[@neiloliver4745]

The movie takes the bare bones of the song and takes it to some surprising places. Robby Benson and Glynnis O'Connor were a major teenage acting team in the 70s.

[@Bekka_Noyb]

Haunting great tune! Song's lyrics have been confuddling people for decades now 😉 BTW - in case you didn't already know, the subtitles are kinda wrong 🙃

[@corralescoyote]

In the American South there are a lot of folks who go by two first names. Billy Joe, Bobby Sue, etc.

[@daybeau7819]

Ms. Gentry had a voice that could melt butter--not as quickly as Karen Carpenter's voice could,but it would be a close race.

[@MichaelBlackburn-n1y]

Dear Ms biscuit the song is about a true time in her life the boy who was the father of her baby what they do off what was going off the bridge by her and Billy Joel was the baby

[@jamesadkins9904]

No

[@harrytrevenen2310]

Biss, if you liked this, listen to Johnny Rivers doing "Memphis" at the Whiskey A-Go-Go, 1964.

[@kirkmatsuyama6176]

Enjoyed your reaction. 😊😊❤❤

[@BisscuteReacts]

[@robinhood2524]

BissCurious . Excellent 😊😊

[@gbulmer]

I first saw this on BBC TV when I was a child. I was mesmerised. Even then, I assumed they threw something so awful off the bridge, Billy Joe couldn't live with it, and jumped off. Then she had to carry on, alone. Only the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" and "She's Leaving Home" had similar effects. Some people claim "Fancy" was partly inspired by her own life. Worth reacting. Best Wishes. ☮

[@travismcewen2658]

Awesome thanks 😊

[@jeffreyphipps1507]

Top 5 (includes this one): 1) this song, 2) "Fancy" , 3) "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", 4) "Mississippi Delta", and 5) "Touch 'Em with Love"

[@CoreyWickramasekera]

If I saw the movie it was in the 70's during my childhood, boy the 70's were great for being a child, and the 80's were EXCELLENT FOR BEING A TEENAGER

[@dedcowbowee]

Same, we had it made!

[@cesarnarro6013]

I feel the same way except as a kid in the 60's and being a teen in the 70's was a blast. Lots of good rock concerts and tickets were inexpensive.

[@peterstrayhorn5316]

Wow I haven't heard this song in a while. My mom really love this song Biss great choice ❤😊.

[@jimcrawford3221]

She also wrote Fancy. Reba's version of that song was fantastic. I think of this song every 3rd of June. Kind of the same way I think about May 5th (1970) and the 3rd of September.

[@DaveSVT-rn4of]

I was 11 years old and I loved this song.

[@doorofnight87]

The name didn't sound familiar but I've definitely heard the song before, and it is an engaging one. Really enjoyed your reaction. Hope you are having a good day Bisscurious.

[@cel275]

Great classic song from the 60's.

[@CoreyWickramasekera]

I think the movie is called "ODE TO BILLY JOE"

[@ts1ezrdr]

You should consider reacting to the 1976 film starring Robby Benson and Glynnis O'Connor. As a side note, Bobby Gentry was briefly married to Jim Stafford in the late 70s and he had a funny little hit song in 1974 called Spiders & Snakes. I think you'd find it good for a laugh. I was seven years old at the time and it was one of my favorite songs back then. I always look forward to your reactions. Thank you for sharing them with us.

[@AdamJames-d5d]

Love it bisscute

[@BisscuteReacts]

[@quixote6942]

Bobbie had very Dark songs, but was married to a singer/comedian called Jim Stafford... Two great songs by him are "I don't like Spiders or Snakes" and a cover of a classic song "The Wildwood Flower".... bot are sweet and comical.