“Ode to Billie Joe” is a narrative country song recorded by American singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry. The song was written by Gentry and was released as a single in 1967. It was also included on her album of the same name.
The song is known for its storytelling style, telling the tale of a mysterious and tragic event that takes place in the fictional Mississippi town of Choctaw Ridge. The lyrics of “Ode to Billie Joe” raise questions and intrigue as they describe the family’s reaction to the news of Billie Joe McAllister’s suicide. The chorus includes the repeated line, “It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty delta day.”
“Ode to Billie Joe” was a commercial success and became one of Bobbie Gentry’s signature hits. It reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and is celebrated for its narrative and storytelling qualities.
The song is considered a classic of the country and folk genres and is often included in retrospectives of Bobbie Gentry’s career and the music of the late 1960s. The mysterious and thought-provoking lyrics have contributed to its enduring appeal.
