Classic Pop Icons

Bobbie Gentry’s country-pop masterpiece “Ode to Billie Joe” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “Ode to Billie Joe” was released on single in July 1967, backed with “Mississippi Delta,” which was originally intended to be the A-side. The song was also the title track of Gentry’s debut album released that summer.

Bobbie Gentry had been singing for several years in nightclubs and had made a couple of unsuccessful duet recordings before her big break came in 1967. The change of fortune came after Capitol Records producer Kelly Gordon heard a demo she had produced, which included the song “Ode to Billie Joe”. His instincts were good, as he was about to preside over the release of one of the biggest hits of the year.

“Ode to Billie Joe” is a simple, uncluttered recording, featuring just voice, acoustic guitar and strings. Gentry’s hypnotic vocal style ensures that you really listen to the lyrics, and the inspired string arrangement hints at the dark undercurrent of the story.

The mysterious lyrics of “Ode to Billie Joe” leave enough unsaid that there has been much speculation about the song’s true meaning. At the centre of the song is the apparent suicide of Billie Joe McAllister, who has “jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge”. The story is told from the perspective of a young woman. Although the nature of her relationship with Billie Joe is never clearly stated, there are hints that the pair were romantically involved, including her loss of appetite on hearing the news of his death, and her mother noting that Brother Taylor “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.”

There have been several theories about what was being thrown off the Tallahatchie Bridge, including an engagement ring, flowers, a gun and even an unwanted or stillborn child. In each case, the implication is that this was a troubled relationship and one that was being conducted in secret.

The closing lines of the song appear to confirm the young woman’s affection for Billie Joe, as she tells of paying a regular tribute to him – “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.”

When talking about the song, Bobbie Gentry has never been specific enough to clear up the uncertainties. She told author Fred Bronson (“Billboard Book of Number One Hits”):

In their July 15, 1967 issue, Billboard included “Ode to Billie Joe” in their spotlight of singles likely to reach the top 60 of the Hot 100:

Billboard’s estimate proved to be conservative. The song took America and the world by storm in the summer of 1967, winning Bobbie Gentry many fans, including Elvis Presley who can be heard singing the line “I was out choppin’ cotton and my brother was balin’ hay” in an outtake from his September, 1967 “Hi-Heel Sneakers” session. The pair would later become friends, attending each others shows in Las Vegas and socialising in Elvis’ suite. Perhaps Elvis was drawn to the song because of the Tupelo reference.

Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe” earned her two Grammy Awards in 1968 for Best Female Vocal Performance, and Best Female Contemporary Vocal Solo. She also received the Best New Artist award that year.

“Ode to Billie Joe” is ranked 412 on Rolling Stone’s list of “the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

“Ode to Billie Joe” – Bobbie Gentry

Authorship

The words and music for “Ode to Billie Joe” were written by Bobbie Gentry.

Recording date/location

“Ode to Billie Joe” was recorded on July 10, 1967 at Studio C, Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California.

Musicians

Bobbie Gentry provided her own highly effective acoustic guitar backing on “Ode to Billie Joe”. Gentry was an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, who had studied at the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music.

Jimmie Haskell created the Grammy-winning string arrangement, comprising two cellos and four violins. He would subsequently receive Grammy awards for his arrangements on Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and Chicago’s “If You Leave Me Now”.

Chart performance

“Ode To Billie Joe” made a quick ascent to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, debuting on the chart on July 30, 1967 and three weeks later replacing the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” as the nation’s number one single. By the end of the year the single had sold three million copies.

The single peaked at number 13 on the UK singles chart.

The album “Ode to Billie Joe” knocked the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” off the top of the Billboard album chart on October 15, 1967.

Other notable recording

“Ode To Billie Joe” – Nancy Wilson

Jazz singer Nancy Wilson closed her 1967 album “Welcome to My Love” with a great cover of “Ode to Billy Joe.” The song opens in arresting fashion with an interesting string arrangement, before Wilson commands attention with a mellow but strong vocal. The song builds in intensity as it progresses, with busy percussion and sax parts to the fore. Ultimately, the country genre is more suited to the lyrics and setting of the song, but it’s an imaginative cover and very well performed.

There will be a new Song of the Week on August 6.

“Ode to Billie Joe” is available on “The Very Best of Bobbie Gentry” and on “Ode to Billie Joe,” which is available as a 2-for-1 with the album “Touch ‘Em With Love”.

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The Very Best of Bobbie Gentry (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Ode to Billie Joe/Touch ‘Em With Love (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now