Bobby Gentry - Ode To Billy Joe ( Hiphop Head Reaction ) 😎

[@sunsungoaway]

Bobbie herself said if there was any message to the song, it was the casual way the family sat at the dinner table talking about his death, not realizing that his girlfriend was sitting right there

[@abracadabra3033]

That is pretty crazy ,

[@Rosiepooh75]

She called it "casual cruelty" because they were talking about food, work, and his death in the same casual tone...

[@MrHoward263]

It sounded like she was the girlfriend, especially toward the end when the girl was obviously her and Billy Joe throwing something off of the bridge.

[@roymerritt348]

Absolutely. They had been lovers, and tossed their miscarried baby off the bridge. Billy Joe couldn't live with the loss.

[@TristanandIsolt]

@@roymerritt348 That's one interpretation, but far from obvious. So many possibilities. The movie had him have a night of gay sex and him not being able to live with it.

[@TwistedSither]

Great song. The question of what they were throwing off the bridge still sparks speculation all these years later.

[@abracadabra3033]

I wanted to know

[@pattyyoung2103]

@@abracadabra3033 We would all like to know for sure.

[@tracythehippiechick]

Isn't it great that even to this day we are like what could it have been...That's good story telling..

[@walkingwounded3824]

@@abracadabra3033 Billy got her pregnant and they threw it off the bridge. Billy couldn't live with the guilt.

[@lincolnlewis6979]

@@abracadabra3033 me too...my crazy mind went to a baby (miscarriage) I love the way you analyze music bro...great job as usual...could you please react to GHOST IN THIS HOUSE by Alison Krauss..I'm curious as to how your analysis would go...it's a very interesting song.

[@stephcol23]

This is what we call a Southern Gothic story. I love it. Gentry could’ve been a Flannery O’Connor-level fiction writer.

[@abracadabra3033]

Southern Gothic , indeed

[@1tishhead]

There is a brilliant but very little known singer named Betty Elders who put out a masterpiece of an album called Peaceful Existence in the 90s. It has 2 epic Southern Gothic tales, The Ballad of Marley Rose Payton and Crack In the Mirror. That album is just a gem.

[@lightatthecape2009]

She studied Philosophy in California. Such a soft southern accent, great story telling. I love celtic music which is common in the Maritime provinces of Canada. Folk music was a way to pass news and stories so that is a favorite style of mine. I loved this song from the first time I heard it. Young man commits suicide and the clocks did not even pause No horns or bells for his leaving.. The banality of black dyed peas, biscuits and pie set against Billy Joe's death. Its top notch.

[@lightatthecape2009]

​@@1tishheadThanks, I will see if I can track it down!

[@1tishhead]

@@lightatthecape2009 I was spurred to track it down when I read a review that compared her writing prowess to Lucinda Williams and Warren Zevon. Not far-fetched at all.

[@jacqueline4514]

"They put their paintings on the walls of your mind"...what a perfect description of what storytelling songs does!!

[@abracadabra3033]

Thank you 🙏

[@lisamorrison2149]

Bobbie Gentry wrote this song. I had seen the movie about this song in the mid 70's. From what I can recollect it's about suicide, shame, and town rumours spreading like wild fire. Bobby's voice is perfect for this ballad. Thanks for reacting to this!💚

[@abracadabra3033]

Thank you

[@gingersnap22]

Lisa, wasn't Billie Joe gay in the movie? I can't remember if that was the storyline or if someone had started a rumor he was gay.

[@lisamorrison2149]

@@gingersnap22 yes, Robbie Benson played a teenager who was ashamed he had a sexual encounter with a man. That's why he jumped off the bridge.

[@gingersnap22]

@@lisamorrison2149 Robbie Benson! That was his name. I've been going crazy trying to remember. He had beautiful big eyes.

[@Amaberean]

The movie is a piece of made-up garbage.

[@michaelmorris6406]

She was a philosophy major in college. And when she wrote this song it's about the cruelties the subtle cruelties of life. And how we sit at the table talking about someone who died and he passed the potatoes. And we don't even feel the loss. We're more into our own problems. Pretty deep

[@carojayess1723]

Great reaction! If you love storytelling songs, you should react to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot. It will give you chills!

[@abracadabra3033]

Ok cool, thank you

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

@@abracadabra3033 The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is a song based on a real event from the mid 1970's on Lake Superior. I highly recommend it as well since you like ballads.

[@soupy607]

@@jimmyfortrue3741 A heart breaker for sure !☺👍🤙🇨🇦

[@saflynn14]

Great reaction! Love your reaction! Gordon Lightfoot is a fantastic song writer for sure.....love The Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald. You should also listen to his song ‘Beautiful’........it will warm your heart!

[@rocksonline2]

Bobby Gentry was an incredible force back in the day.. brilliant singer/songwriter. Well done dude..Rock On👏👏👊😎🤘🇺🇸

[@caroljshepherd3848]

I love your comment about "painting pictures on the walls of your mind." Plus, you're the only person i've heard mention the string arrangememt. Bobby orcheatrated this. She was pretty much a self taught genius.

[@jaygilllan7574]

You nailed it with " this story sounds so everyday " . She never really elaborated on the song other than to say it's mostly about the way people who were supposed to have known him reacted ( or the lack of ) to his death.

[@m.b-ee8815]

A sign of the times for sure.

[@rickkopp9536]

Great storyteller: Gordon Lightfoot and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

[@matthewbaker6916]

Not only can you picture the story in your mind, you feel it in your soul

[@abracadabra3033]

It has such a soulful groove, her voice pulls you in to the story

[@matthewbaker6916]

@@abracadabra3033 I was born in 1957 and was fortunate enough to have experienced many genras of heart felt music by extraordinary artists for the first time. The music stimulated your imagination before MTV and videos came out. To this day hearing songs from that era still conjures up memories and emotions. Watching yours and younger generations reactions to these videos for the first time puts a smile on my face, I can see you are just as moved by the music now, its messages and meaning, its pure essence, as I was and still am. Thank you kindly Brother

[@drewg5637]

This song is as powerful today as it was back in 67. Great reaction!

[@abracadabra3033]

Thank you

[@hayvanlarankara]

Coldest epitaph EVER: Never Had a Lick of Sense, Pass the Biscuits Please

[@imagine1004]

You’re like the mailman lol!!! Awesome but eerie song. A lot of people say it was a baby. I don’t think Bobbi ever revealed what it was. What a voice!! Great storyteller! Great reaction! Thx. ❤️ Keep dry. 😂

[@briganfree3656]

Yes that’s what I heard. Their dead baby. She hid her relationship and her pregnancy. I guess we will never know for sure.

[@edprzydatek8398]

How could it be a baby? Who was pregnant?

[@dinkydpirate5592]

Bobby Gentry was upset that people thought it was a baby. She also said it wasnt important what was thrown off the bridge. It was how casual everyone was talking about Billy Joe not even realizing that the daughter was dating him.

[@daveking9393]

Harry Chapin's "Taxi" is a great story song

[@soupy607]

I requested this a while back ...one of my favorites for sure.☺👍🇨🇦

[@2869may]

Great song.!

[@mikeyg3202]

what a story teller.

[@lindamaemullins5151]

Yep ❤️

[@2869may]

"Son Of A Preacher Man" ~ Dusty Springfield is Amazing as well..! One of my favs. You may have heard it though.

[@michelemichele3375]

Yes! Always thought “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield was so soulful. Thanks, Nick. And thanks, Abra, for this reaction. 💕🤪✌️

[@marielaveau5321]

Great one!! Joan Osborne does a killer cover of it, too. ✌️

[@drainmonkeys385]

It paints a perfect picture in the mind. For sure

[@lindaphipps3126]

You could tell that this song really resonated with you from your body language when you moved forward into this song.

[@marielaveau5321]

I have fished the Tallahatchie River many times in my life. I have one of the decorative cast iron spheres from the top of the original bridge. Bobbie was a class act and a HUGE tallent. Proud to call her a Mississippian. 😊💜💚💛✌️

[@user-up3uc6ol4r]

She did a great version of "big boss man" And can she dance! I love her ❤

[@terrencecarlton1782]

Bobbie Gentry's song would come on the radio when i was a kid back in the 1970's on AM not FM so i am going back, It would always play 2 or 3 in the morning it was a little scary laying there and listening to this beautiful voice and down home music, Ms.Gentry was ahead of her time

[@russellbrown1068]

Great Reaction Bruh! Thank you for listening to the song and picking up the nuances.

[@vickilcalloway6537]

A great song by the storyteller Bob Dylan "Tangled Up in Blue"I think you would like!

[@abracadabra3033]

Ok , thank you Vicki

[@lisarainbow9703]

I second this. Or, "Simple Twist of Fate", also by Dylan...

[@sfbayareagirl]

I’ve that sing!! And no one’s done it.

[@katrinaprescott5911]

There is a saying that is advice for writers - "show, don't tell". This song is a masterful example of that. You understand that she is Billy Joe's girlfriend and is stunned with grief, and her family doesn't really see her because they are caught up in their own thoughts and concerns. And she never actually says it. She shows it in what they say and do. It's a three minute literary novel set to music.

[@Hawks438]

One of my favorites.....like you said....great story teller. She really paints a picture for you with her tone and delivery.

[@bopep1368]

the nonchalance of interspersing the conversation-pass the black eyed peas, harvesting the crops-while discussing a dude killing himself.

[@judymeeker2925]

Love that sweet accent from the deep South. My ma and pa had the same accents. Being from the South I love and appreciate this song. Thank you for playing Ode To Billy Joe.

[@abracadabra3033]

Her accent sound really good 😎🙏

[@strideygamingjesters5393]

One of my favourite songs. Thanks for giving it a listen.

[@leiselmower1529]

Love your reactions, even in the rain, lol...that's awesome

[@abracadabra3033]

Thank You

[@Noelle0026]

She captured the South so well in this song. The conversation is just what you would hear at the dinner table. I love story teller songs. Not many write like this anymore. Some other good story teller singers are Jim Croce, Harry Chapin and Gordon Lightfoot all from about the same era as this song.

[@jrye5]

Agreed. Lifelong resident of Alabama. Was a teenager when this song came out. Haunting. Great southern folk song really.

[@kensmith8152]

The vocal narrative is pure genius!

[@sonjabarnett1754]

Another great song, another great reaction. We all knew you were gonna love it.

[@abracadabra3033]

😀, i did , the story and she she delivered it

[@flopofshame2582]

She was just a songwriter who was pitching this song to a label when they told her that she should be the singer as well as the writer.

[@dalem8332]

One of the biggest songs of 1967. Huge Number One classic. Bobbie Gentry has a great unique voice. Excellent. 🎶🎶🇨🇦

[@lisabates8982]

Like this song...reminds me of listening to it in childhood...🌉🎸

[@artfisk3]

in country music tom t. hall is known as the storyteller. check out any of his songs

[@Tall-Cool-Drink]

She is a multi-talented artist. She plays multiple instruments, she wrote, she composed.......truly an artist.

[@richardallen6617]

Your reactions are always so genuine and thoughtful. I look forward to them. Keep em' coming my friend.

[@BlueBirdsSong]

Thanks for reacting to this song and Bobby Gentry. I LOVE this song and her amazing voice.

[@abracadabra3033]

Thank you

[@BlueBirdsSong]

@@abracadabra3033 you are very welcome. I really enjoy your channel and how you look at life and this world/universe we live in, so thank you. You work very hard, but in a Zen kind of way for your channel and I know how much you care about people., because you have always treated me with respect , love and peace. It’s rare to find that in this world we live in. Much love and peace to you and your family. Keep up the great Reaction Videos you do. 🙏✨✨💫

[@rodolphoteardrop915]

Great commentary. Double like for not stopping the song all the time and listening to it as a whole 🙂

[@johnboydTx]

Southern anthem and a way of life of country folks Howdy from texas. My people's from lee county Mississippi

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Great reaction. And, the only thing I would add might be that at the time she was doing all of the other amazing things you were talking about, she was always so pulling off a cool finger-picking thing on the acoustic guitar. And she was doing that reliably and relentlessly. It just added to the tension of the story.

[@lavender_granny]

she was a great story teller, and as a woman she was so ahead of her time

[@sherriblack53]

I was born in 63... I ran thru a creek at 4 singing that sont

[@debramckean1970]

Love this song and how it caught your attention. This song stopped me in my tracks when I first heard it in '67.

[@abracadabra3033]

the song is incredible and it is her and how she sounds singing it, i felt it

[@debramckean1970]

@@abracadabra3033 I could tell, there was nothing contrived about your reaction. You were entranced:)

[@jagjag739]

I have always loved this song! Such a great story, I can see it all in my mind! Peace to all.

[@byronmitchell3784]

Wow, when this SONG came out I never thought that I would witness a time and environment dealing with a Virus. That this song talks about her Father catching and dying from . How damn eerie that is, and has become reality. From the 60's too the present. ABRACADABRA nicely done. Bobbie Gentry's, "ODE TO BILLY JOE".... ANOTHER STORY TELLING SONG GORDON LIGHTFOOT, "THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD"... HARRY CHAPIN, "TAXI"....

[@brianwesterlund8024]

Loved your reaction. My favorite song

[@abracadabra3033]

Thank You

[@MariaMaria-sr8zg]

I like that you reacted to the part at the beginning as well. People jump over that but if you don't know about the bottom in Mississippi you need to know to appreciate this song and the way she tells it helps.

[@melliehobson8299]

You're my new favorite. I love your laid-back way.

[@sharonburcham25]

GREAT reaction to this song! Stay dry!! ❤️Tennessee

[@annalykins1579]

Love this song! I grew up in that part of the country ❤️ l know Tupelo also 😁

[@abracadabra3033]

😁

[@ivansavoie3190]

Great performance, the strings that were added are great also

[@MrVicDog]

The night the lights went out in Georgia by Vicki Lawrence is another great story song with a twist.

[@RinniePere]

This was one of the songs my mom taught me to play on the guitar. We would sing it together and harmonize while we sang. This has been one of my favorite and most loved songs since I was a kid. Thank you for this!

[@cherylspencerhall7990]

You are the first reacactor that "gets" it. After 40+ years we don't know.

[@cbilky2914]

The movie made off this song in the later 70s, I think 77 or 78, I was in High School..Robbie Benson was Billy Joe in the movie..he was a teenage heart throb back then..

[@xtrememarine169]

"LUCKY MAN" by Emerson, Lake and Palmer. 2012 Remastered Version. Greg Lake wrote this when he was 12. Enjoy your reactions.

[@lindamaemullins5151]

Yep ❤️

[@nothingbutlove40tis]

Bobbie Gentry once said that what they threw could have been anything. Bobbie Gentry explained: "The message of the song revolves around the nonchalant way the family talks about the suicide. The song is a study in unconscious cruelty." I grew up listening to her music. My favorites are this one, Niki Hoeky (my dog's named for that one), Papa Won't You Let Me Go to Town, Fancy, Son of a Preacher Man (Dusty Springfield's version is better but I still love Bobbie's too), Mississippi Delta and just about any duet she did with Glenn Campbell

[@abracadabra3033]

I will be checking for those duets

[@margaretwomacque1247]

Other people sing this, but she is the best!

[@tekay44]

very cool song, you feel like you are sitting at the table with them as they talk. always liked this song.

[@bethking7348]

Music is a universal language

[@brucedillinger9448]

Excellent observations about this classic song, sir. Keep up the great work!

[@kathrynhaskins3491]

My name is Raymond, a Viet Nam vet...I have never picked cotton, but have bailed lots of hay. Both back breaking work.

[@827dusty]

Great song from around 1967 or 68 I think.

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

Thanks.... A really nice song you may want to check out some day is " City of New Orleans" by Arlo Guthrie.... It's a song about the passing era of trains and riding them.

[@terrieb13]

Thanks for another great reaction! ♡

[@abracadabra3033]

✌

[@briganfree3656]

Nice to hear your comments. You have the respect to think about what you hear, so your comments are always worth hearing.

[@carolussery7263]

Love this song!!

[@ThePmfan]

I agree, great storytelling!

[@stefannils2032]

Spot on painting pictures in your mind

[@deborahhalbert3372]

You know, you tell great stories with your reactions. Glad you got to this one. Truly an original piece of art. 🙏

[@abracadabra3033]

Thank you ✌🙌

[@lindamaemullins5151]

This song always gets to me 🤔🥰

[@connieleighton4375]

Beautiful song that captured my attention when I heard it on my Dad's truck radio while he was taking me to kindergarten one day, of course I didn't have a clue what it meant at the time but I figured it out later.... more than 50 years later I still love this beautiful song...♡

[@abracadabra3033]

It definitely is a beautiful song

[@rousefire]

If you like songs that tell stories there is "Patches " by Clarence Carter . In 1971 , it won the Grammy for best Rhythm and Blues song .

[@markyancey8035]

She was amazing

[@mlrobards]

This movie is great. I remember when the whole town of Oxford Ms. came out to watch it's release. They all came out because a hometown boy played Tom. In credits actor's name is given as Eddie Tylo. This was my uncle, his actual name was Eddie Taylor. This was the only movie he ever played in. He usually worked behind the scene as head Lighting technician.

[@natebowen9972]

Ur uncle is brother taylor so cool thanks for sharing this information

[@andreawalter9212]

Hey Abra! I'm so glad you did this song! I wore out the VHS tape of the 1976 movie "Ode to Billy Joe" when I was younger. It is one of my favorite movies. You stay safe buddy...and thanks again.

[@jefflee2698]

A song with a story to it, the Devil Went Down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band

[@terriertz6837]

Great reaction. There are so many great story telling singers to check out. Here's a list of a few great ones. Enjoy! Gordon Lightfoot--The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Simon & Garfunkel--The Boxer Harry Chapin--Cat's in the Cradle Jim Croce--Bad, Bad Leroy Brown Chris Stapleton--Either Way Tyler Childers--Nose to the Grindstone Jamey Johnson--In Color

[@memremacm]

As a Mississippi girl I always loved her and this song. Deep lyrics.

[@abracadabra3033]

Definitely

[@nadinemarie3811]

One of thd best songs ever. Bobby's voice is haunting. Classic song.

[@debbieplato5107]

If you like storytellers then I suggest Gordon Lightfoot The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. He is a master Canadian storyteller and this is actually a true story. Another is Wheat Kings by The Tragedy Hip which is also based on a true story. The Hip ad we call them are also from Canada 🇨🇦 ✌

[@jacqueline4514]

Beautiful song; quietly powerful. This was in a movie that left me with a haunting, bad feeling when I was a kid.

[@2869may]

I come back to great reactions...

[@sst3d]

Strong,strong , song

[@abracadabra3033]

It is

[@americanmutt9089]

There's a movie made about the story in this song starring Robby Benson(RIP). It has the same title as the song.

[@WhySilverWhyNow]

Thanks for the song!

[@joannamcpeak7531]

A great story.."The Highway Man" by Lorena McKinnett.. ❤ ❤

[@daisysoup158]

I would love to hear 'The highwayman ' through new eyes

[@charlesdavis7461]

That was beautiful, sad and real life.

[@lindamaemullins5151]

Word artists with music ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@brettsmith724]

Great song my man! Thnx for being out in the elements this morning with us. Here is a request and or a recommendation. "The Ballad Of Curtis Lowe" Lynyrd Skynyrd

[@johnsherlock8015]

omg man beautiful song allso great video love you man thanx again

[@diggerdad3291]

Love it, love it, love it...great reaction bro....

[@sukie584]

She always said it was interesting how everyone focused on what was thrown off the bridge, when really it is about how nonchalantly they spoke about something so serious..

[@direnova6284]

Real.

[@mikegoin6023]

Another great reaction to another great song. I love story tellers also. Another great story teller is C.W. McCall. "There won't be no country music", "Crispy Critters", "Green River" just to name a few.

[@abracadabra3033]

Thank you

[@reginasullivan3282]

Enjoying your reactions! ✌🏻❤️

[@ricklee9473]

She sang a beautiful mystery, an open ended guess-athon. I've studied music many years , and have never heard a more compelling piece of composition. Gothic and troubled , i will never know how she crafted this to put everyones heart in the floor . Thanks for the review, I enjoyed your take on this classic, once you've heard it , it stays somewhere in ya. Cheers-

[@abracadabra3033]

Indeed