The song ode to billie joe was written by bobbie gentry and was first recorded and released by bobbie gentry in 1967. Appropriately enough, their performance adds a new dimension to ode. Now, years after the whispers and rumors, the muddy tallahatchie river gives up its secrets, the secrets within the haunting ballad that swept america. Trying to unearth the story behind the reclusive bobbie. The mystery created by bobbie gentry in her debut single ode to billie joe cast a spell over the entire country. Her book, then, is a reporters quest that takes her across america to find people who knew gentry and are willing to talk. He rose to prominence as a teen idol in the late 1970s, appearing in the sports films one on one 1977 and ice castles 1978. Its breezy bluegrass melody and catchy chorus made for an instant hit, and billie joe leapt to the top of the charts. She was later signed to capitol records on the strength of ode to billie joe, which she also wrote and produced. The american journalist tara murtha, in her recently published book ode to billie joe bloomsbury, attempts to solve these mysteries. Ode to billie joe is a song written and recorded by bobbie gentry, a singer songwriter from. The song brings the story of young love in a sultry southern town with small minded people to life. Ode to billie joe is a song written and recorded by bobbie gentry, a singersongwriter from.
Since its the 3rd of june i thought wed take a walk down to tallahatchie bridge and contemplate the influence of bobbie gentrys ode to billie joe on country music and beyond. Ode to billie joe is a critically acclaimed volume in bloomsburys 33 series by tara murtha. Ode was recorded on july 10, 1967 at studio c in the capitol tower. In 1976, baer directed the feature film ode to billy joe, based on gentrys hit song and starring robby benson and glynnis oconnor. Ode to billy joe by herman raucher goodreads share book. Ode to billy joe is a 1976 american drama film with a screenplay by herman raucher, inspired by the 1967 hit song by bobbie gentry, titled ode to billie joe the film was directed and produced by max baer jr.
Bobbie gentrys southern gothic tale of doomed romance, ode to billie joe. In july of 1967, capitol records released ode to billie joe, a spooky wisp of a song by an unknown artist named bobbie gentry. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. That is the opening line of one of musics most discussed, examined and appreciated songs ode to billie joe, written and performed by bobbie gentry, who was born in mississippis. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Bobbie gentry grew up in mississippi near the tallahatchie river. As to what the girl that looked a lot like you and billy joe mcallister were throwing off the tallahatchie bridge has remained one of the open questions of pop music. It seems the entire country stopped to listen to a husky voice steeped in the simmering secrets of the south tell a tragic tale of teenage suicide.
Mississippi mystery the 50yearold enigma of bobbie gentrys ode to billie joe. The same river where the famous and original reallife tallahatchie bridge mentioned in ode to billie joe was located. My father bough this album ode to billy joe old to billy joe back in 1967 and this album is one that i was always looking for which i just purchased from amazon. The song ode to billy joe by bobbie gentry was a big hit for many weeks in 1967. Mississippi mystery the 50yearold enigma of bobbie gentry. Now that i know why billy joe mcallister jumped off the tallahatchie bridge, i almost wish i didnt. Ode to billy joe 1976 movie clip it was a good book. Her hit song, meanwhile, long ago took on a life of its own. Ode to billie joe by bobbie gentry on amazon music.
Dec 04, 2014 in the case of bobbie gentrys ode to billie joe, we readers get a very well researched history about bobbie gentry including her reclusive way of living, the making of that hit song and then background rather than technical details about the album and then gentrys foray into directing. Cover versions of ode to billie joe written by bobbie. And at dinner time we stopped and walked back to the house to eat. I wrote about this song, and bobbie herself, at length last year in my post bobbie gentry and the power of mystery but. In rauchers novel and screenplay, billy joe kills himself after a drunken homosexual experience, and the object thrown from the bridge is the. Jul 27, 2016 the 5th dimensions cover takes that reading a step further, turning the song into a oneact play, with different members handling the vocals of each character in the song.
Published on nov 7, 2019 the complete version of ode to billie joe from the film. Pioneermodcafe ode to billy joe lyrics sheet ode to billie joe lyrics. Cover versions of ode to billie joe written by bobbie gentry. 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. This version is quite longer than the hit version, with. I was out choppin cotton and my brother was balin hay.
The enigma of this, her best known song, is nothing when compared to that of bobbie gentry in real life. Ode to billie joe was selected by rolling stone magazine as one of the top 500 songs of all time. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. This ode to billy joe by bobbie gentry, as one of the most effective sellers below will certainly be one of the appropriate choices to read. Billy joe is no different in this regard and his persistence is making it difficult for bobbie lee to maintain her virtue the dogearred issues of torrid romance dont help either. Bobbie gentry ode to billie joe 1967, scranton pressing. Aug 21, 2017 the secret life of bobbie gentry, pioneering artist behind ode to billie joe how the singersongwriter who knocked the beatles out of the number one spot 50 years ago quietly revolutionized. To begin your day or to end your day at night, this ode to billy joe by bobbie gentry will. Dec 18, 2014 tara murtha examines that song and the rest of bobbi gentrys career in ode to billie joe, the latest release in the 33 series of books. In the film, as in the novel, the object thrown from the bridge is bobbie lees. Bobbie gentrys famous song, on which ode to billy joe is based, found much of its haunting effect in its refusal to reveal why billy joe killed himself. January 21, 1956, is an american actor, singer, musician, educator, director, producer, writer and composer. Gentrys original demo of mississippi delta was the version issued, but ode to billie joe had a string arrangement by jimmie haskell dubbed onto the original recording at capitol.
Gentry also released a total of thirtyone singles and fifteen extended plays. Trying to unearth the story behind the reclusive bobbie gentrys ode. The film was titled ode to billy joe for some reason, possibly for publishing. New 33 book explores life of mysterious chanteuse. Bobbie gentrys ode to billie joe by tara murtha goodreads. Locating the right ode to billy joe by bobbie gentry book as the best requirement is sort of good lucks to have. In the movie, the mystery of the title characters suicide is revealed as a part of the conflict between his love for bobbie lee hartley and a drunken homosexual experience. Based on his own screenplay, herman raucher has taken the bobbie gentry classic. My sincere regret is that i never purchased the album, merely the 45, which i still treasure. Ode to billy joe 1967 ode to billy joe 1967 skip navigation sign in. Ode to billy joe is a 1976 american drama film with a screenplay by herman raucher, inspired by the 1967 hit song by bobbie gentry, titled ode to billie joe. Sep 19, 2019 most folks will say the know the ode to billy joe song by bobbie gentry, a number 1 hit in 1967.
Ode to billy joe the book, not the song trivia quiz gentry. Some of the material has been transfered to the state library. Inevitably, the title track dwarfed everything else by comparison, but a greater problem was that several of the other tunes recycled variations of the ode to billie joe riff. Ode to billie joe as recorded by bobbie gentry from the 1967 album ode to billie joe words and music by bobbie gentry transcribed by slowhand gtr i e a d g b e bobbie gentry acoustic guitar nylon intro q120 d9 d7 d9 d7 d9 d7 d9 d7 44 gtr i ac. In 1967 she became an overnight sensation with her release of ode to billie joe. Trying to unearth the story behind the reclusive bobbie gentrys ode to billie joe the singers silence amplifies the mystery behind the song that made her a star, now the subject of a book of. Bobbie gentry sings ode to billie joe live on the andy williams show 1971 duration. Sinead oconnor ode to billie joe bobbie gentry cover. Note that the track sequence on the cover is different from that on the label. Gentry rose to international fame with her intriguing southern gothic narrative ode to billie joe in 1967. It was the third of june, another sleepy, dusty, delta day. Ode to billy joe is the epitome of simple grace and musical elegance. The complete version of ode to billie joe from the film.
Gentry was not in the film, but rerecorded ode to billie joe for the soundtrack. Sheet music arranged for pianovocalguitar in f major. New 33 book explores life of mysterious chanteuse bobbie gentry. Industry wisdom said ode was too dark, too long, too. Bobbie gentry ode to billy joe 1967 smothers brothers show. I wrote about this song, and bobbie herself, at length last year in my post bobbie gentry and the power of mystery but today i wanted to focus on how she has inspired the songwriting of so many others.
Ode to billie joe is a song written and recorded by bobbie gentry, a singersongwriter from chickasaw county, mississippi. Print and download ode to billy joe sheet music by bobbie gentry. Jun 03, 2018 since its the 3rd of june i thought wed take a walk down to tallahatchie bridge and contemplate the influence of bobbie gentrys ode to billie joe on country music and beyond. Verse d7 twas the third of june another sleepy dusty delta day d7 i was out choppin cotton and my brother was balin hay g7 and at dinner time we stopped and walked back to the house to ea. Ode to billy joe by bobbie gentry youtube crazy karaoke patsy cline you sing the hits duration. In the mississippi delta, in a time before the boondocks had seen television and indoor plumbing, a young mans fancy turns constantly to thoughts of love. In the summer of 1967 country singer bobbie gentry b. Ode to billie joe by bobbie gentry film version full. Perhaps an indictment of the artificial conventions of society, the film demonstrates the tragic consequences of a young couples first awkward grapplings with. Set during the spring and summer of 1953 in rural mississippi, billy joe mcallister robby benson flirts with bobbie lee hartley glynnis oconnor as she crosses the tallahatchie bridge after the school bus lets her off as she walks on her way to her familys farm along a dirt road. The single, released on july 10, 1967, was a numberone hit in the us within three weeks of release and a big international seller. It is a wonderfully compelling book and the best ive read in the series since television. Tara murtha examines that song and the rest of bobbi gentrys career in ode to billie joe, the latest release in the 33 series of books.
Listen to your favorite songs from ode to billie joe by bobbie gentry now. Bobbie gentry ode to billie joe lyrics genius lyrics. We hear a cascade of fingerpicked chords lifted by the swells and sighs of strings, and then a sultry, smoky voice steeped in the dark sweet tea of the south begins. Ode to billie joe, the numberone hit off bobbie gentrys 1967 album of the same name, is deceptively simple. Id been interested in writing something lengthy about bobbie gentry for. Billy joe mcallister jumped off the tallahachee briidge. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Mississippi mystery the 50yearold enigma of bobbie.
Ode to billie joe by bobbie gentry on amazon music unlimited. On june 3, 1953, billy joe mcallister jumped off the tallahatchie bridge. Its a good song that tells an intriguing story, yes but bobbie gentrys ode to billie joe is also missing a key detail. A movie with the title spelled ode to billy joe was released in 1976.
It was a third of june, another sleepy dusty delta day. Bobbie gentry ode to billy joe sheet music in f major. Check out the very best of bobbie gentry by bobbie gentry on amazon music. The film was based on this song, with a fictionalized gentry named bobbie lee hartley played by glynnis oconnor. Jun 03, 2016 bobbie gentry performs ode to billie joe live on the bbc in 1968. Gentrys debut lp, which went to number one on the pop charts, was a promising but not wholly satisfying disc, with the singer penning all but one of the songs. In the case of bobbie gentrys ode to billie joe, we readers get a very well researched history about bobbie gentry including her reclusive way of living, the making of that hit song and then background rather than technical details about the album and then gentrys foray into directing. Set to a backing of spare acoustic guitar chords and atmospheric strings, gentrys sensual, southernfried voice relates the story of two mississippi teenage lovers who share a dark secret that eventually leads to the boys suicide. The very best of bobbie gentry by bobbie gentry on amazon. Bobbie gentry ode to billy joe 1967 video dailymotion.
His death was seen as sad, and long ago, and unnecessary, and the singer recalled it as a key event in an unhappy time. On june 3, 1953, billy joe mcallister jumped off the tallahatchie. Eighteen yearold billy joe mcallister is in love with bobbie lee, but her father refuses to allow her to receive gentlemen callers before shes sixteen. It was covered by erin hay, jesper thilo finn otto hansen sextet, melveen leed, kathy shannon and other artists. Bobbie gentry ode to billie joe 1967, vinyl discogs. Bobbie gentrys ode to billie joe 33 tara murtha on. Welcome,you are looking at books for reading, the ode to billy joe, you will able to read or download in pdf or epub books and notice some of author may have lock the live reading for some of country.
Ode to billy joe and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Daniel from toledo, oh bobbie gentry wrote both ode to billie joe and fancy as short stories before setting them to music. Ode to billie joe by bobbie gentry with lyrics youtube. He realized that he loved the girl but could not be with her in the way they both wanted him to be. G dm g it was the third of june another sleepy dusty delta day dm g i was out chopping cotton and my brother was a bailing hay c at dinner time we stopped and walked back to the house to eat g dm g and mama hollered at the backdoor yall remember to wipe your feet c she said i got some news this morning from choctaw ridge g f7 g today billie joe mcallister jumped off the tallahatchie. The billboard book of number one hits, billboard publications, new york 1985, s.
404 442 577 1239 469 1359 1301 579 301 831 1538 908 1475 1582 242 181 658 1359 1379 939 196 1083 1083 1518 418 499 639 1384 266 567 834 595 286 865 1041 391