GENTLE VOICE! | Ode To Billie Joe - Bobbie Gentry (Reaction) 

Another song that millions of us know every word.

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." A very haunting and unforgettable song! I was 10 yrs old when it came out, and I still never tire of listening to it! Thanks for this reaction, JM! ✌💙✌

Thank you for not interrupting the song like so many reactors do. It's a song that needs to be listened to without interruptions.

Bobbie Gentry is an American singer-songwriter. She was one of the first female artists in America to compose and produce her own material. Gentry rose to international fame in 1967 with her Southern Gothic narrative "Ode to Billie Joe".... Once you've heard it, you'll never forget it.

Congratulations Sir on being the only reactor to this song to not interrupt it while it’s playing to comment on the factoids at the bottom of the screen. 👍

This song was nominated for eight Grammy Awards, winning three. It spanned several genres, charting in the Pop Singles chart, the Adult Contemorary Charts, the Hot R&B Charts, and the Hot Country Songs list. When released in July 10 of 1967 it went to #1 and stayed there for 4 weeks! Record sales topped 40 million. I was 10 years old when it released and I remeber it like yesterday, never heard anything like it. The album unseated the Beatles Sgt Pepper after 15 weeks at the #1 spot. Great reaction, TY.

I had this 45 when I was a kid... passed down to me from my older brothers and sisters. It was so eerie and scary sounding and I never really understood the story being so young. But... I knew it was about something that went wrong. Listening to this on a rainy, stormy afternoon? I still remember it well.

"Message in empathy" -- you NAILED it! I'm impressed! One of the things that stands out for me is how natural all the dialogue is. You can imagine people actually saying all those things -- nothing sounds poetic or forced. Fantastic writing.

I enjoy your intelligent reactions

Beautiful Bobbie Gentry has an estimated net worth of $100 million. A chronological, complete list of the enigmatic Southern Gothic siren's 46 compositions recorded between 1967 and 1977. Forty-six Bobbie Gentry compositions have been issued, principally from her 1967-1971 stretch on Capitol Records. She was one of the original owners of the NBA's Phoenix suns, owns tens of millions of dollars worth of real estate (mainly in California) and earned more than $3 million in royalties when Reb McEntire covered her song Fancy.

she was the 1st female country artist allowed to write, direct and produce her own music and videos. very smart - majored in philosophy. this was a true story, later made into a movie or documentary. all that and the voice that could clutch your guts w smooth guitar skills. she later said the song was about the unconscious cruelty of not being aware of another's suffering

Everyone worries about what they threw off the bridge. But the more poignant part of the story is how her family goes on their day while she grieves the loss of her best friend.

The film, which she described as accurate to her idea of what she had in mind, is even more disturbing. Your facial expressions were so perfect. You can tell that you really get it. Life for kids from all kinds of backgrounds can come too soon.

Very nice job young man. You have a wonderful disposition and give off a very warm and sincere vibe. Keep doing what you're doing. Success lies right around the corner for you.

Someday JM... You too will know every word to this dramatic story.

A couple of more songs with solid imagery and writing, Bob Dylan’s “Tangled up in Blue” and Gordon Lightfoot “The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. The former is a great look at relationships and life experience, the latter is the story of an actual shipping tragedy on Lake Superior. Both songs are like watching the movie ✌️

This gaves me full body chills.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald…true story , happened in ‘75 I believe Sung by Gordon Lightfoot 🇨🇦🖖🏻

The song is actually fictional & she allowed the audience to decide what she & Billie Joe threw off the bridge. However the point of the song was her family’s insensitivity to her feelings.

Some great southern gothic made into a song. There was a movie that came afterwards. Yep nobody knows what was thrown off of that bridge.

Nobody knows what they threw off the bridge, my guess a baby, and the guilt was more than he could live with.

AWESOME!!!...Thoroughly AWESOME!!. This song is legendary. A story like none other in any other song. Thanks again JM. #69

☮️💙💙💙🔥😎love her

The accompaniment was lit

Right on point. A message about empathy. Truthfully, as good as this version is, the studio version is even better.

I remember the movie "Ode to Billy Joe" Robbie Benson had the most beautiful blue eyes

Another great song by a female artist is Loretta Lynn (her song list is a very long one) "Fist City". Totally different vibe, but great music

Great Reaction 👍🙏

As others commented, the song is a demonstration of unconscious cruelty. Not only is the family making indifferent comments about the death of Billy Joe, but they are also oblivious to how the news has impacted the daughter who is sitting at the table with them. The story is fictional, but could be based on something real. I don't think that Bobbie Gentry ever revealed if the girl at the table was actually Billy Joe's girlfriend or what was thrown off the bridge. The way this is written is brilliant. It got people to speculate on what exactly happened and discuss the reactions.

Classic

We're so much more connected than anyone realizes ❤️

Bobbie Gentry - Fancy (Live)

Well JM... What do you think they threw off the bridge?, that caused Billie Joe to commit suicide? Glad you liked it, knew you would, you're too smart not to like it. Have a Classic Day.

New viewer here. I have watched many reactions to this special song. Your insight to this song is best I have come across. The writing, her patient delivery of lyrics, the effective strings etc etc you seem to get it. I usually watch several videos before I decide to subscribe. You got me subbed with this one reaction. Getting ready to dive into your channel.

There was a movie made from the song also, same name in 1976

Yes! This is a perennially haunting and fascinating song! Another story-telling song written and performed live on a TV show is Fancy. She's wearing a skin-tight red jumpsuit and making iconic 60's moves. Many years later, country artist Reba MacIntyre did a cover of Fancy, but I prefer Bobbie's version.

Southern Gothic at it's best.

Merci beaucoup

❤

This song is the name of a movie Ode to Billie Joe

Bobbie was the last of “Southern Gothic”. I highly recommend you hear a song written and fought hard to record by Dolly Parton called: Down from Dover. Legendary females artist as Dolly and Loretta Lynn wrote of real life struggles, controversial topics for women of the 60’s. Then, had to fight the male dominated industry of the time. These powerful women won every time!

This tune has got some attention.... I knew it would.

This was a favorite of mine when it first came out in 1967. I even remember it being played on R&B stations. There's also a movie of the same title released in 1976.

Fancy

What did they throw off the bridge? A baby? This song always gives me chills. Great reaction.

Man this took me back to the summer after graduating High School - thank you it was a great summer

I wore the number 69 for 18 seasons as a QB on a Football Team and Pitcher on a Ball team. I'm happy to say you just hit my number with the names of artist you are"Not Familiar With" added to your OUTSTANDING PLAYLIST.. Those names are.... The Chambers Brothers.. Rush.. Bob Dylan.. Lynyrd Skynyrd.. Supertramp.. John Lennon.. Righteous Brothers.. Creedence Clearwater Revival.. Procal Harum.. Santana.. Jethro Tull.. Don Henley.. Janis Joplin.. Kansas.. Doobie Brothers.. Jimi Hendrix.. David Bowie.. IRON Butterfly.. Bee Gees.. ZZ Top.. Joe Cocker.. Elton John.. Eric Burdon- Animals.. Peter Frampton.. Boston.. Anita Baker.. Quicksilver Messenger Service.. Chaka Khan.. Billy Joel.. Carly Simon.. Tom Petty.. Tears For Fears.. Moody Blues.. Simply Red.. Bad Company.. The DOORS.. Cream.. Steely Dan.. Allman Brothers Band.. Phil Collins.. Boz Scaggs.. UFO.. Stevie Ray Vaughan.. Dire Straights.. The WHO.. Frank Zappa.. Cheech & Chong.. Robert Palmer.. TOTO.. Sade.. YES.. Chicago.. STYX.. Alanis Morissette.. Jason Aldean.. Ted Nugent.. Edgar Winter,,. Aerosmith.. Journey.. Genesis.. Jefferson Airplane.. Wild Orchid.. Black Sabbath.. Barry McGuire.. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.. Buffalo Springfield.. The Marshall Tucker Band.. The Byrds.. Bobby Gentry...... More to come as you acquire more knowledge about what I call the Classics.

Dylan like in her vivid story telling.

A-one story telling.

Like having a Classic Rock Juke Box, with a pleasant and interesting twist.... YOU. As you may know I put your videos in a folder and on memory sticks to share with family and friends. My four grand kids will hear these classics for the first time watching your reactions. Thanks for having so much Class and great content I can share with them.

"A Message In Like, Empathy".... You nailed it perfectly, and I'm not at all surprised, you always seem to get each song right about the music, lyrics, performances. Maybe that's what we like about your reactions. (Some ladies like your smile too)

HOW MARVELOUSLY UNUSUAL !! a Reactioner letting us listen to the entire song, with no interruptions whatsoever, no pauses nor silly interjections.Then, evaluating the song sensibly, beautifully and succinctly.

When people use the word artist, Bobbie Gentry's face is shining.This sing has me sitting at the table chowing down and grieving with her about Billy Joe.Apparently the movie industry thought that way too and made the song a hit movie

"Ode To Billie Joe" 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 the house to eat And mama hollered out the back door, y'all, remember to wipe your feet And then she said, I got some news this mornin' from Choctaw Ridge Today, Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge And papa said to mama, as he passed around the blackeyed peas Well, Billy Joe never had a lick of sense; pass the biscuits, please There's five more acres in the lower forty I've got to plow And mama said it was shame about Billy Joe, anyhow Seems like nothin' ever comes to no good up on Choctaw Ridge And now Billy Joe MacAllister's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge And brother said he recollected when he, and Tom, and Billie Joe Put a frog down my back at the Carroll County picture show And wasn't I talkin' to him after church last Sunday night? I'll have another piece-a apple pie; you know, it don't seem right I saw him at the sawmill yesterday on Choctaw Ridge And now ya tell me Billie Joe's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge And mama said to me, child, what's happened to your appetite? I've been cookin' all morning, and you haven't touched a single bite That nice young preacher, Brother Taylor, dropped by today Said he'd be pleased to have dinner on Sunday, oh, by the way He said he saw a girl that looked a lot like you up on Choctaw Ridge And she and Billy Joe was throwing somethin' off the Tallahatchie Bridge A year has come and gone since we heard the news 'bout Billy Joe And brother married Becky Thompson; they bought a store in Tupelo There was a virus going 'round; papa caught it, and he died last spring And now mama doesn't seem to want to do much of anything 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

There is something about an attractive 'southern girl' that makes you want to...well you know..🇦🇺

Check out Fancy by Bobbie Gentry, another great story-telling song.

my Grand father loved his country music and EVERYONE in my family knows the lyrics to this song.. the whole family all came together for christmas every year (32 family members) and this song got played day and night and from Boys to the girls we all sang along word for word❤❤❤

I was 13 years old in Atlanta when this song came out. It captivated all of us. There were debates over why Billie Joe committed suicide. I think most of us thought there was a child born out of wedlock which was thrown into the river. But it was fiction. It was a very very southern song, but it was very universal.

So much soul just like Tracy Chapman would summon years later. Oddly, human creativity thrives in poverty and suffering. God works in mysterious ways.

Great story telling and strings in the back beautiful....thanks

I'm not familiar with Billy Joe either. I really love your channel and that is one of the funniest things I've ever heard you say. Great song. I've never heard this live version.

Check out the movie, ode to billie joe, it makes all kinds sense , really good movie.

If you want another "Murder mystery" type song by bobbie gentry, I would highly recommend "THE CONSPIRACY OF HOMER JONES" . ENJOY !

Checkout her song fanci dont let me down.. you will love.

You hit the nail right on the head. She has said in interviews that it is not important what they were throwing off of the bridge. She said the song is about how callous people can be. This person was obviously important to her but the rest of the family treated it just like any other piece of news. Personally it can be a few things but I always kind of leaned towards maybe she got pregnant and she was like some women who don't show until the later stages and the baby was born early and died. They threw the baby off the bridge to give it some kind of burial and to keep it secret. I also thought that maybe it could have been a ring that signified their relationship but in that scenario it probably would not have been the two of them. That is the beauty of the song. We will always speculate.

Fancy is another good story song

JM... you like this story, wait until you hear this one... The Temptations - "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone"

The song is incredibly self explanatory. Billy Joe jumped off the bridge because she and Billy Joe threw an unexpected pregnancy off the bridge and the guilt he felt was too much for him to bear..

in an intervew, she calld this song a comment or example of uncontious cruelty.

Listen to Potter's Wheel, by John Denver. Good message

Wasn't it thier baby theye threw off the bridge....it also was made into a movie

Thanks, JMboy! such a haunting and beautiful song.. Bobbie was was ahead of her time. appreciate your reaction!

If you Watch the Movie, he was Raped Brother Taylor He told her what happened. It's been over 20 yrsI saw the movie. I believe her threw his underwear off the bridge. Now she spends time picking flowers and up on Choctaw ridge and dropping them off the Tallahatchie Bridge.

I was 6 when this song came out... Even then I think I understood it rather well. I always felt that She and billy Joe killed someone (Either accidentally or on purpose). Then, threw that person off the bridge together (The preacher said he saw someone that looked like her and she and Billy Joe were throwing "Something" off the bridge). Billy Joe's guilt over what happened caused him to jump from the bridge. The focus of the story is the cruelty of the people left behind. Nobody cares that Billy Joe Killed himself and are ready to move on with their lives. She is too wrapped up in her part of this to be able to care.

watch the movie😉😊

Great song. But just a very normal reaction from a very tired family. Not cruel.

Bobbie said the song wasn't about Billy Joe and the so called mystery as everyone assumed. It was about how insensitive and stupid people act when they hear news like this, and start running their mouth gossiping about people without knowing the facts...sound familiar? it's on the internet and media news 24/7

Bobbie was a talent all right but she got disillusioned with the music industry and stepped away from it. Are loss