Bobbie Gentry - Ode to Billie Joe (1967)

[@misfittoy327]

Every year on this day, I tell my husband: "It's the 3rd of June, another sleepy, dusty, delta day." He rolls his eyes and I laugh and finish the song! It's a family tradition. Rest in Peace, Billy Joe! ✌️

[@mikejorsch304]

Pick some flowers and throw them off the bridge

[@campbellgraham1979]

Do you also chop cotton while he’s bailing hay?

[@misfittoy327]

@@campbellgraham1979 Goodness, no! That was over 55 years ago. Besides, that was my brother. (He married Becky Thompson... sweet girl.) We sold the farm after Momma died and retired to Key West. Stop by if you're ever near by! 😉

[@campbellgraham1979]

@@misfittoy327that’s very kind of you but the question on everyone’s lips is, “What did you and Billy Joe throw off the Tallahatchie Bridge?”

[@coloren1]

Me too. Every third of June I think of this great song...

[@maryward8040]

No female singer today has the talent and mystique of Bobbie Gentry. This song still haunts me years after I first heard it.

[@funfan515]

She was talented, gorgeous and incomparable!!! One in a century!

[@RendaJane]

I was a little kid listening intently. ADHD before anyone knew what was “wrong” with me. But I could sit and listen to this over and over until I could memorize all of the words. I didn’t know what it meant, but I could feel it.

[@NikolaosKyriakopoulos]

​@@RendaJane 😊😊😊 Understood 100%.

[@ikeeptime]

The genius of this song is three fold: The melody is appropriately haunting for the subject. And the rhymes are completely unforced and natural. No awkward or unskilled pairs. A beautiful story of lament.

[@robertzemko6590]

Jesus, this is LIVE, She is singing for real and it's perfect, I am old enough to remember when this was on the radio though I never realized what a wonderful talent She is, WOW!

[@JonathanRBarnard]

She may be lip-syncing. (Not that I don't think she was capable of doing a wonderful live version, but lip-syncing was common on old TV shows, regardless of what the artist wanted.

[@WLM596]

​@@sebtonz1too

[@karenstephens8788]

She is definitely NOT lip-syncing.

[@craigtaylor8635]

Southern gothic at its best.

[@eliyahsromans9547]

Who else is watching on “the 3rd Of June”

[@lshvfun]

Me

[@orangehornet57]

Me too.

[@Planet820Claire]

That would be me!

[@ralphaelalfaro6023]

A most beautiful woman. I was 10yrs old in '67. Loved this song since. Never really saw her perform this song till recently, thanks to the internet. I've always felt her sing this song but never felt it as deep as I do now watching her sing. The depth in her eyes, and her face. Truely one rare soul.

[@uwenik061]

1967, i was 14 years old. Pure Music, no Bling Bling, was good times and music

[@wesleythomas4819]

I was 14 years old also 😊

[@pamwood5620]

"And me, I spend a lot of time pickin' flowers up on Choctaw Ridge, and drop them into the muddy water off the Tallahatchee Bridge ... " Makes me shiver every time.

[@ClassicJukeboxBand]

Also, today is June 3rd too...

[@robertb3773]

@pamwood5620,Hello Pam it's hard to find you now! With my sister and all! But you taught me how to fight back! My name is Lewis Robert Burton Jr!

[@robertb3773]

@pamwood5620, Hello again! Pam, Every time you got upset with me! It drain every inch of power out of me! I guess it was because all I wanted to do was to please you! I never felt that way about anyone else in my whole life! My name Lewis Robert Burton Jr!

[@ricardomachry2788]

When I need to hear blues with roots, with essence, I go to Ode to Billy Joe. I've been doing this since 1968, when my brother bought a Bobbie LP... now I'm 66 and I still need to hear Ode to Billy Joe. Greetings from south Brasil

[@kingdoc3262]

Greetings South Brasil from Trinidad 🇹🇹

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

I can't think of any other song that was thought provoking as this one.

[@stevehaynes7516]

American story telling at its best.

[@ThinkerThunker]

A raven-haired beauty. And about as talented as they come. Stunning.

[@arielstrafing5225]

What a profound song. It's chilling and so sad, beautifully arranged and sung.

[@alexiialee2814]

Definitely amazing voice amazing story! But true story he threw his lover over the bridge and then jumped himself!

[@AtoZ8308]

@@alexiialee2814 true

[@cessaly100]

SISTAH tore that DOWN! I was TOTALLY fascinated as a little kid!

[@vincentgilio]

I agree 100%. It's a great song.

[@bolivingston1400]

​@@alexiialee2814Lay off the crack pipe

[@susanprice7202]

This song was so striking back when it came out! I remember listening to it over and over again. Absolutely loved it then...and still love it today. AWESOME SONG!

[@jamesnixon8406]

A long time ago I named today,Ode to Billie Joe Day. I play the song several times on June 3rd each year. A college professor had us write about what was being thrown over the bridge. We read our stories in class the next day. Most of us said the same thing.

[@XX-gy7ue]

THIS SONG STILL HAS IT ! LONG LIVE BRILLIANCE !

[@luddmouse]

I really thought it would have been covered by now. It's timeless.

[@SGBassplayer]

Great song, brilliant live performance. And the stage set is tremendous. It feels like I’m looking in on my Mom’s family sitting down for dinner in Florida back in the ‘50s when she was a teenager.

[@jimcat51207]

Ms. Gentry is a an amazing talent. I've been listening to her music all my life and am so grateful for her contributions to music.

[@ronald8062]

"her"....;)

[@JLCoslett]

This song is incredible. Such great storytelling.

[@jamesnixon8406]

Play this every June 3rd since 1967. This day comes around faster and faster every year now.

[@musicrocksoffical]

Simply stunning. That’s what Bobbie was.

[@darreneffle4118]

Something about that voice the look the sound. Just sticks, haunts and gets me thinking.

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

This song release in summer of 1967 plus the movie In The Heat Of The Night,really brought focus into U.S. south that year.

[@TheFatstuff]

I love the simplicity of this song. Masterpiece

[@philippepepin3509]

The interpretation is truly magnificent, the voice sublime, and your beauty sublime! It's wonderful!!! I love it! And this song hasn't aged a bit! Congratulations! An immense talent!

[@blacksheepblacksheep5727]

I still have her Vinyl 33 Album "Bobby Gentry " with this song as the headline , me and my late pa always enjoyed listening to her 👍 great time to be alive back then !

[@ThomasBryant-i5c]

Wow that's just get better awesome 😎 over yrs awesome voice

[@cherrylove3656]

I love her. she's so unique and awesome she's all natural I'm all country myself. Miss you Bobbie

[@barbaragray5781]

I was singing professionally in those days and that was one of my songs and everyone loved it it is a very thought-provoking song being from the south I think I understood it very well, I loved doing the song it was a very haunting in plaintiff Melody and the lyrics had meaning, something lacking in today's music.

[@markhedman1884]

I saw this on TV when it first appeared. I was 12 years old at the time. It made an impression on me. I remember seeing the fake people at the end. I did not understand the lyrics, and years later I realize that there is a mystery to the song. It is true of other pop songs of the 60s that even though they were popular, the meaning of the song was not always apparent. It is amazing all the research that has been done since then on this and other classics, so that youth who weren't even born yet know more background information than those living at the time.

[@graytonw5238]

Same here, and probably the same age too (wasn't this broadcast around '67?) I was always more interested the the comedy skits though and kind of tuned the musical numbers out, but I remember my mom watching it and then commenting to my dad later about it. It wasn't till later that I really came to appreciate the haunting music and lyrics and just how great the song was. The Smothers Brothers knew how to find good talent and catapulted more than a few people into stardom just through sheer exposure. Bobbie Gentry, Steve Martin, Glen Campbell, Jennifer Warnes, Mary Hopkins, a lot of great talent in a truly unique and creative time.

[@markhedman1884]

@@graytonw5238 I remember this song being played on the radio constantly at that time. Kids watched a lot of TV back then and there were a lot of variety shows and now on KZbin you can see all the performers over again. TV was sure worth watching back then with all of these great musicians.

[@SurferJoe46]

If you think the research on the lyrics on this song is a lot --- try to remember the Congressional Investigation Committee when they were trying to decode "Louie, Louie" to see if it was obscene or not. Bpbby Gentry never got a Congressional Investigation -

[@clarencearnold2137]

Think. They threw a newborn off the bridge

[@peterward9446]

*_pluperfect exemplar of the profound mystery at the heart of all great art ...She is right up there with Shakespeare..._*

[@stevem-h5e]

Shakespeare was a country music singer? Who'd a thunk it?

[@XX-gy7ue]

SHE WAS AS SULTRY AS IT CAN GET , ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC !

[@vincegay986]

Gentry penned truly haunting conversational lyrics that mix the mundane with tragedy, mystery, and offhanded cruelty. This staging, on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, just beautiful.

[@susansparanormalpennsylvan81]

i remember this was a huge hit song, it was constantly on tv shows and the radio, when the movie came out when i was in 8th grade, thats all everyone talked about for 2 or 3 yrs, what did they throw off the bridge, i remember kids at our school thought it was a baby.

[@ffieditor]

in summer of 67 we all played Ode to Billie Joe over all the R'n'R, while we in scout 505 in Tulsa, OK. How can you not love this song!!!

[@KenSerpico5450]

The apple pie lyrics sounds so true. Despite life's tragedies, live has to continue almost as if nothing ever happened.

[@calisongbird]

That’s not the point of the song though…. It’s about people’s callousness. The family around the dinner table was casually gossiping about Billie Joe and trash talking him (“he never had a lick o’ sense”) after the tragedy of his suicide. But the narrator was his likely secret girlfriend, possibly the secret mother of his baby if that’s what was thrown off the bridge - and she was heartbroken. It’s also about suicide hurting the ones you love.

[@KenSerpico5450]

​@@calisongbirdYou have your interpretation of the song and I have mine. I assure you, I realize the song isn't solely about what's being served at the table nor about apple pie.

[@carriebrummett8497]

I always loved this song! Never dreamed my husband of 33 years would die that day in a car wreck. Rest in peace Doug 11-21-1953 - 6-3-2013

[@cassandraespinosa2223]

@Carrie Brummett - So very very sorry for the loss of your beloved husband.😢💔 Aside from your tragedy, Bobbie Gentry's Ode to Billy Joe is really starting to grow on me.🎸🎤🎵😊💗👍

[@gerardovivanco5631]

R.I.P. Doug........

[@rubytuesday7653]

🌿🥀🌿

[@susansparanormalpennsylvan81]

sorry for your loss, thats they day i adopted a rescue dog my girl sparky, she was a gorgeous white and black border collie, who passed away from old age.

[@donmcneil8285]

Sorry for your loss 😢

[@rogerfarrell7312]

She was beautiful

[@garthbutton699]

Sure do remember Bobbie Gentry,saw her perform in Memphis jan'68 when I was stationed at Millington air station.

[@keithstermin7089]

This version is a bit more crisp sounding w a bit more clean base than her version on the BBC ....Love It

[@wyatt_kincaid]

Like Jeannie C. Riley, Bobbie Gentry didn't have many hit songs either in country or pop music but "Ode To Billie Joe" was her masterpiece. A well written tune that was made into a movie in 1978.

[@Msaprilconquest]

1976

[@ritahudson8017]

Thank all for the info.from the comments . I born in 1959 I had a little record player and few records I remember her song .today brought back memories of that long ago time.big brother dad called a hippy and get hair cut. Visit and bring me a record.it was my favorite . Anyone know if thare is a movie made ? Love to all. rita

[@angelabluebird609]

She also wrote and recorded, "Fancy," a song most of us heard from Reba McIntyre. Mississippi Delta, Son of a Preacher Man, I'll Never Fall In Love Again, are among her wonderful songs.

[@DonYarosh]

Apparently Bobbie Gentry ended up being very successful, smart and wealthy. Beautiful song and lady back in the day!

[@vincentgilio]

Every time I play this song, I love it more on KZbin. It's a great song and Bobbie Gentry sings it beautifully. I love it.

[@lesleyadams4279]

A hauntingly chilling song. Superb!!!!

[@catherinecatlover]

SUCH A DIFFERENT SONG FROM ALL THE GOODY TWO SILLY LOVE SONGS SHE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL TALENTED AND A GENIUS

[@dansonnier3286]

It's that day again. This is one of the best tunes about nihilism that I can think of. Punk bands tried to say the same but never quite hit the same "life is meaningless" as this did.

[@robhennessy6164]

This song froze me in my silly tracks when i first heard it with Mom and i hardly breathed 'til it was over... I stood there motionless afterwards all steadily complexed and said, "Momma, what was that? She smiled at me and said: "Son, Honey, that's just Bobby Gentry singin' her heart-out into a real song..." i'll never forget it and never have...

[@kingdoc3262]

Reading this brought tears to my eyes. You were supposed to hear it. I was 6 when it came out. It moved me to in unseen ways...suicide and uncaring combination

[@Laura-t2x1g]

❤❤❤ just love this artist this was played in 68😢 the year I was born❤❤❤

[@wmpetroff2307]

Gorgeous Bobbi Gentry, mystical lyrics. What were they throwing? Fascinating!!!

[@edmundwasilewski]

Where are you Bobbie, sire as hell miss you some

[@kpyng]

One of this year's additions to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress...

[@vincentgilio]

The thing I love about this song is Bobbie Gentry's powerful voice. The lyrics are very good as well.

[@JohnBarrylizard]

Brilliant song. I feel like I'm the only one in my generation who realizes that this is a timeless work of genius. I don't even like music like this and think it's amazing.

[@RobBaughman]

Same here, man

[@movtipsislee]

Just Watched Ode To Billie Joe This Song Is One Of The Best Story Telling Songs Ever I've Heard .. Brilliant Movie An Brilliant Song Thank You Bobbie Gentry 💕 Almost A Early Form Of Sweet n Slow Soulful Rappin' Imo 😊!!!! From The North Carolina Mnts Of USA 4-23 Happy Earth Day This Weekend Everyone 🌎☀️🙏🏼🙋🏻‍♀️

[@jackmackenzie2482]

I remember what a sensation this song was. Everyone was singing it!! Bobby Gentry was all the talk. She was really pretty to boot!!🙏🏻🙏🏻👼👼😎😎😍😍😎👼🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@martywhitt6230]

She sings this it sends shivers down me

[@MariaMaria-sr8zg]

Can't think of a song better that shows how life goes on even when you're in a state of despair. Seems like the world should stop but it doesn't.

[@jenniferhavlisch1940]

When my mother was dying, she said, "Life goes on, that's what I'm afraid of".

[@midiland09]

I seldom found a woman so near to being an angel.

[@catherinekelly532]

A Real Southern Lady!

[@kimrivers8605]

My Jam!! Remember My Uncle playing this in 1967, the year of the Detroit riots 😊

[@asboukcomfortable1670]

Lovely voice, such a talent UK 🇬🇧

[@davidschaadt3460]

Just wonderful

[@ThomasBryant-sg6sn]

Totally awesome beautiful voice awesome song beautiful lady I remember this story and song

[@jacquelineiona1996]

A true storyteller and wow what a beautiful lady ❤ talented and I love her voice and think I was about 3 years old when this was released❤

[@mopar3502001]

Bobbie could have had it all. She knew how to dig her way musically into the souls of all of us.

[@josiespringfield4808]

Love this song, grew up on Bobbie Gentry, her music has always been inspirational.

[@TheWerewolfofNorway]

Shes incredible.👍

[@nandoslucho]

Beautiful singer.

[@debraradin8715]

I grew up listening to music like this.

[@ZedAlfa.]

That whole verse at 3:00 such beautiful phrasing.

[@johnlilly0]

So good.

[@scottsent8120]

A classic, haunting performance! I believe that she was mic'd over the original recording because her guitar gets off time at one point, and the final strum is her there, and not on the recording. Anyway, I've got to praise legendary arrranger Jimmie Haskell again for arranging those strings perfectly, even though he was recognized with a Grammy for it back in the day.

[@strawberryseason]

Yes, she is live-mic'd over the original soundtrack.

[@nickydianeminer8787]

Almost cry every time I hear it. It would be nice to hear real instruments and a natural voice. Almost a lost art.

[@ChrisOwenGuitar]

Amazing tune! I first heard this song when I was about 7/8 years old, back in the mid ‘70s and it has fascinated me ever since. Such haunting, yet casual lyrics. Beautiful.

[@TAMMYPOOLE-z2h]

This song has a special place in my family’s history! It’s my sister’s birthday! Her birthday cards have been signed with these lyrics and sentiments of “Happy Birthday to you.. Sad to hear about Billy Joe” Great memories!!!

[@Odyss-d2p]

This the music of a forgotten and fabulous era my first year of school grade 1 . Life was simple then your lucky you can still enjoy this.

[@sfain333]

Life was simple in 1967???!!!!

[@frankpaluck1432]

Good Story !!

[@rjk8008]

No song like it, still love it today!

[@naturalS41]

2024.... still remember Bobby G

[@y2k7-9-11]

Thank you.....I am reminded of love ballads songs back in time in North America..... beautiful God's blessings.....

[@kingdoc3262]

YEESH 😢Never can listen to this once and always brings a teary eye. Perfect song leaving lots of questions. Suicide? Jumped in the water searching for what thrown in? A ring ...asking for marriage? He did something that angered her so she threw it in the water? He went to find it and drowned? Or he couldn't handle the rejection and committed suicide? She loved him. A lot. Brings flowers and throws them into the muddy waters every year. Hurt her deeply. Parents, family, community, preacher...all distant emotionally...like many of the time. ... I see both the generations impact today and for some improvement in empathy intelligence while for others Decrease in empathy intelligence.

[@donaldchadd4229]

Sweet sweet home south ♥️

[@MariamMelodies]

no hit had another sang this song. Only Bobby Gentry, who hotter than the gates of hell, could perform this eerie song. Beautiful

[@AllenMacCannell]

Just learned that I grew up listening to a remake of this. What did they throw off the bridge? A baby?!

[@shaolinthibaud4537]

No.. She suicides herself

[@christopherfoster3830]

It was never explained, and Bobbie Gentry said it's not even an important part of the song. Gentry said the song is about "indifference." She's trying to tell her family that she's fallen in love with Billy Joe and that she's becoming a mature young woman, but the family ignores and instead talks about pointless, less important subjects, including the various dishes on the table. Her mother notices the girl doesn't have an appetite, and that's the only part of the song that gets close to the loneliness the girl feels at their insensitivity and the meaninglessness of the conversation.

[@peprml]

I would suggest that in all likelihood, it was an aborted fetus. Enjoy Peace

[@jeanmank6342]

I always felt is was a miscarried baby.

[@peprml]

@@jeanmank6342.. I believe aborted would be more accurate. There's tension in the kitchen, no one sees the hurt in her over a love which could never be. According to father ... "Well, Billy Joe never had a lick of sense; pass the biscuits, please" And mama said "it was shame about Billy Joe, anyhow . Seems like nothin' ever comes to no good up on Choctaw Ridge" In any sense, it seems a love the patriarch and his trusted mate would never allow. The fear that a baby would never be welcomed. Right, wrong or indifferent, that's my take on the situation. Enjoy Peace

[@susanc4622]

Such a haunting voice.

[@harryhackney6416]

VERY BEAUTIFUL WOMAN AND GREAT SINGER A VOICE LIKE NO OTHER. SEXY HUSKY TO WRITE A SONG SUCH AS THIS. AND DESTINED TO BE A B SIDE. AND BECAME A CLASSIC XX♥️.

[@fhickson]

Outstanding!!! #2024

[@TheVineyarder]

it's the 3rd of June 2023..remembering Billy Joe

[@Guitarzzzzzzz173]

I remember watching this on TV with my parents as a kid. Supposedly one of our local radio stations was having a contest if you could guess why he jumped off the bridge.

[@liam9307]

Wow. Just wow.

[@VAdame]

And here it is, the 3rd of June...time to listen to this again! Anyone notice, she never says Billy Joe actually DIED from his jump? 🤔

[@Msaprilconquest]

No, but it's implied. Regarding the 1976 film based on the song, Wiki says this: "When Gentry and Raucher discussed the screenplay, she explained she did not know why the real person who inspired the character of Billie Joe had killed himself. Raucher thus had a free hand to pick a reason. His novelization of the story, published the year of the film's release as a movie tie-in, used the same rationale for the suicide."

[@astarchild518]

I'm curious as to why he jumped off the bridge and what was he throwing off the bridge with the girl. been wondering this for years, is there a meaning to the words of this song ???????? I WONDER 😪

[@lindawilliams6841]

@@astarchild518 jumped because he realized he had a drunken trist with what he thought was a woman. They were throwing flowers off the bridge like she did in the end of the song

[@haroldstella1398]

CLASSIC ❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸⭐️⭐️

[@ADAMSIXTIES]

Happy 80th!

[@carlaharris4879]

I WISHED Hollywood would tell her story. This woman is a awesome writer and story teller. She won 3 song awards. And Ode To Billie Joe is a awesome movie we're still talking about all of the stuff that's going on in the Headlines in 2023.And it's all reverse about women's health and right to choose, and all of the backlash about homophobe.😔In America we take two steps forward and a 100 backwards.

[@larryvermeer6170]

Good morning my friend I was born in 1955 to I had a big crush on bobby singing this song to She was great in this era to Today's music 🎶🎶 is like garbage 🗑️ to Am still listening to this music in august of 2024 to

[@garymason7517]

That sultry voice makes me a happy man.

[@debnn4854]

Ended my first bf relationship relating to this song. Live long-So long touche.

[@jacquelineiona1996]

Another haunting song like this one is Tom Dooley - I was a child and these songs caught me and later in my teens I was into Post Punk for the same reasons I am thinking now…dark side of humanity oftentimes these songs are and what stories

[@doloresvargas6450]

This is pure country.Tony

[@beaverstandig1747]

Great song

[@johnhulsker1453]

The thing I like about her, she was studying philosophy at U C L A before Fame struck,