In 1975, I visited a cousin living in Reno, Nevada who worked at Harrah's hotel and casino. One night she treated me to a dinner show and we had a very plush booth. The people at the next booth entered and sat down a few feet from us. They were hotel owner Bill Harrah and his then wife Bobbie Gentry. She was absolutely gorgeous. I've never forgotten that.
Chances are we’ll never know whatever happened to Bobbie Gentry. Even in the age of the Internet and social media, if a person doesn’t want to be found, that person won’t be found. But she did leave behind some great music for us to enjoy.
I remember heading her sing Ode to Billy Joe on my transistor radio when I was a little girl. It was the very first time I'd heard it and loved it! I still listen to it from time to time on TH-cam. ❤
I really enjoy Flannery O’Conner, Shirley Jackson, Eudora Welty, & Cormac MacCarthy. This said, Bobbie Gentry is definitely a Southern Gothic poet. Many parallels between her writing and theirs.
@@louduva9849 Interesting. I don’t know a ton about Shirley Jackson, other than reading some of her work, which has some Southern Gothic elements to it, so I suppose I just assumed. You learn something new everyday.
I love Ode to Billie Joe. At the time I had no idea that she wrote it herself. If I had, I would have loved it even more. I still listen to that song today. ❤️
In 1967 I was sitting at dinner or rather in the South, in one Hot Georgia Summer Night, we ( my family) was listening to BIG GUS RADIO in Augusta Georgia when Old To Billy Joe Played. We all stopped eating and listened to this song.
I got to see her in concert with Glen Campbell. She did Ode to Billie Joe and Campbell did Whichita Lineman. Both of them were great. Today I live in Meridian, Mississippi and take people up to see the Tallahatchie Bridge. There was also a movie made, Ode to Billie Joe about 1975-76
@@markthomas2436 The bridge is in Money, Mississippi. Google Map it. The bridge of this song's fame burned down in the 1970's and was replaced with a metal one in the same spot.
I didn't know much about Bobby Gentry's life but I enjoyed listening to her songs when I was at university. Thanks for informing me. Nice video. Good to see you making them and working a job and caring for your wife. Good luck to you both.
People say they can't believe she packed it in so early. Those are coming from people who don't remember those days. She was probably lucky to get enough cash without be stolen from like most bands back then plus she probably had to defend herself from outright grapes and at least roaming hands on a daily basis. It was a man's and criminal loaded business and I'm glad she got out alive.
She is STILL the MOST beautiful C & W singers EVER. I remember she married Jim Stafford, who sang "Spiders & Snakes", one of the FUNNIEST songs EVER !! I sure wish she would sing again. I have EVERY album of hers. Just a TRUE Country singer !!
Damn!?? She's GORGEOUS. I was alive when she was popular but of course e saw little of what musicians on the radio looked liked. I miss that.....and it made music better that looks were second usually....but damn, she's very beautiful. Those cheekbones and full lips. Thick brunette hair....
The ‘Ode to Billy Joe, tune brings back memories of when we would take our annual summer vacation to NC to visit our grandmother. Listening to it on various radio stations. It wasn’t until years later I found out the meaning of that tune!
I was going up in the 60's(I was born in 61), and I had a terrific crush on Bobbie Gentry. She was a beautiful lady, with a sexy voice, who was a great singer! ❤
Thanks Ed. I agree even now after all these years she lives a very private life. She never wanted to be a singer. As she said, she only sang on her demos because it was cheaper than hiring someone to sing the songs she had written. Fame hit her suddenly and hard. In the end however she was able to leave on her terms.
"Ode to Billie Joe" was on the radio constantly the summer of 1967. On the country station and top 40. It was bigger than "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was in 1964, and that was Enormous.
I LOVED.........ODE TO BILLY JOE ....SONG......I BOUGHT HER ALBUM.....I PLAYED IT.... OVER & OVER......HURRY TUESDAY CHILD.....WAS A FAVORITE OF MINE ALSO......I FORGOT ABOUT HER BIG SUCCESS......I WAS 12 YEARS OLD......WHEN I BOUGHT HER MUSIC......THANKS FOR HER STORY......SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL ALSO.....!!!
It would be great if she set up an interview on the internet, not in a studio with a presenter. She could do it on her own terms. Maybe some film of her life now, her love of horses, her family etc. Imagine the interest it would create. It would be watched by millions of her fans. If you read this, Bobbie, how about it?
Thanks for this! I didn't know how intense and interesting of an artist this lady was. Of all things, I like it she has a degree in philosophy. The joke is unless you get a PhD it's no good learned this for myself! Point is I never took her seriously till your work here that teaches me of her struggles and courage in music industry. She just wanted to be herself like most of us. Thank you for this video!
Bobbie Gentry split the scene a long time ago. She was done with it. As a Flannery O'Connor fan, I agree that "Ode to Billie Joe" is the epitome of Southern Gothic. Wherever Bobbie is hiding, that will always be an astonishing ballad.
I was 5 in 67' and I was crushing on her, she looked like my Mom, the same age too! Boys always try to find a woman that reminds them of Mom, it's true!
I respect her Sealth life. After playing music for 45yrs. In front of alot of people , I can personally tell you, I Hate Crowds. And peace and quiet is really nice thing.
We all just now lost Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Meridith Lightfoot, and Gordon has admitted his deep love of his country of Canada, and how he goes out into the wilderness of his country or goes kyackacking to have quiet personal time to himself, therefore the ability to write even many more songs he composes that touch both the heart and souls of many of his fans who truly appreciate his work. In short, being at times alone does indeed do a person good.
Watching this we discovered she was Roberta Lee Streeter from Mississippi. My husband is a Streeter and his family moved through Mississippi. Turns out they are close cousins! Too cool!!!
When you hear her live performance of “Ode to Billy Joe” do you ever think it’s a true story? I do. I often have wondered how the story line transpired. I’m also intrigued by her flawless guitar picking on the small guitar and how the instrument and her delivery were so spot on perfect. To me it’s mesmerizing. When I play it once, I have to plan in advance because I know I will play it at least 3 times in a row because I feel something I can’t pin point. My thoughts revolve around, was she involved in a murder in real life and felt compelled to admit everything in song or was it a local story people talked about that she picked up on and ran with it as a great poem set to music? She is a high intelligence human and people of this caliber of smarts scare me . She married Jim Stafford, a comedic genius (in my opinion) and I bet he was one of few men that could make her laugh. I’m thankful she made it out of the music jungle and is living a long and presumably fulfilled life. Unlike many of the greats that accomplished similar musical genius feats like Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, Johnny Horton, Buddy Holley, Jim Morrison, Hank Williams, Keith Whitley. I often wonder what these amazing talents would have produced if they hadn’t been silenced from tragic events.
Like you I alway imagined ode to billie Joe was a true story ,and it was such a captivating song full of atmosphere and I could imagine being that little girl coming home for lunch after a day in the fields etc . I was surprised that the vlog didn’t mention that , a film was made of the same name was made I presume after some years interpreting the story of the song , I remember Bobbie Benson played the part of Billie Joe ,although I can’t remember exactly how they interpreted the story exactly , I was only a child when I first heard it and didn’t understand it , but late in life I came to believe that the story was a bout a doomed romance ,between Billie and some younger girl possibly the narrator , coming home for lunch .And that the thing object thrown off the bridge was A stillborn baby ,conceived in secret by the couple who desperately needed it to remain secret ! Well that’s what I came up with , probably nothing of the sort . Or some kind of veiled reference to homosexuality ,on the part of Billie which I imagine at that time in the south would have been a big scandal say in the early 1960s or earlier , but the point is it was a spine tingling performance I’ve never forgotten , any one else got a theory ??? If so I’d love to hear it ❤
I remember seeing JimStafford and Bobby Gentry during their honeymoon at SpenceManor,when I was working there in the mid 70,s. They both had hit records at the time.
2022: Bobbie Gentry (who goes by her original name Roberta Streeter) inks a huge multi million dollar publishing deal with U.M.G(Universal Music Group). She was able to effectively use the clause in American song copyright law that gives a songwriter, or their estate, 100% of publishing rights after 55 years. John Fogerty, Paul Anka and Paul McCartney have also used this clause to obtain favorable new publishing deals. Roberta Streeter chose to stay with U.M.G( who had been in control of her Capitol recordings and publishing for over a decade) because she was impressed on how they were managing her creative assets. Her 2018 box set ,The Girl from Chickasaw County: The Complete Capitol Masters, was a major artistic and commercial success selling 20,000 box sets at nearly 100 dollars each. It earned a 2019 grammy nomination for Best Historical recording. Other deluxe editions of her recordings have sold out within days.
Ode to Billy Joe takes me back to my childhood. I always liked that song. Was a trip to read many years later what she said the song was actually about. Great memories.
What an amazing upload my friend ! You just keep getting better and better with your subtle tweaking of the channel. I'm so happy and proud to be along with you for the ride, my friend ! Really great work bro !
it is I who thank you my friend. Besides you are just happy that your Steelers beat my Tampa Bay today. lol. Seriously thank you. The latest chances weren't my idea they were TH-cam.
@@CMSProductions Hey Dave. It's so kind of you to care enough to check in with me. Short answer. I'm ok, but some seriously rocky family dynamics going on. We'll talk when possible. I haven't been online but a few moments the last few weeks. You're a good friend Dave. Thank you
Ode toBillie Joe was unique even today when i hear it i think of a hot sultry summer day and the spookyness of it captures your ear..i was 13 but thought i was or wishing i was 18...great song.
The strings on her hit are a lot to do with making it so emotional. Jimmy Haskell was the number one string composer and arranger in Nashville during the 60's and 70's.
"There was a virus goin round , Papa caught it and he died last spring , and Now Mama doesn't seem to want to do much of anything ". Lyrics in the song ,Ode to Billy Joe , performed and written by Bobbie Gentry .
I think she didn't have a huge ego, and once she'd made enough money to get out of the business, she did. I love the urban legend of Ode to Billy Joe - i came across it by fluke and spent good few hours researching it to see if it was true. The film was pretty good too. I love the story told in the song, it was a riveting story.
I never got to see the movie on tv when it was shown, although, I wanted to. To busy working all the time. In 1967, when this song was popular, I was 12 years old. She's like 14 years older than me, however I really liked that song very, very much, Ode To Billy Jo. I now have a CD recording of the song.
Surprising how educated she was. Also The Doors, Jodi Mitchell, and Carley Simon. These people were anything but the "uneducated no talent bums" my parents generation often called them. Some of the smartest, best educated, and talented people ever.
She was what made life such a blessing her songs were great and voice so rewarding but her beauty matched legands like liz taylor and her sink like monroe .
Bobbi Gentry wrote Ode To Billie Joe as a longer 5-minute song; but her record company edited it down. Probably why it's so mysterious; because we're only hearing part of the story. Does anybody have access to the rest of the story? The complete lyrics that Bobby Gentry wrote?
@@Teabag697 The gay storyline was the movie they made based on the song. In an interview with Bobby, she was asked what they threw off the bridge, and she wouldn't confirm any particular story. So, if she did have something in mind she kept it to herself! Everyone has their theory of what she meant, but apparently the world will never know for sure. If anyone can reference an interview or article where Bobbie herself confirms the meaning, I'd love to read it!
I don't care where her gated community is as long as she is safe from all the slimy hands I'm sure she delt with daily. I'm glad she was smart enough to out wit the thieves and grapists.
50 cent said he grew up on the streets and did prison time and that did not even begin to prepare him for being in the music industry. Bobby must have been one strong woman to travel that road and be successful. I loved her music and I hope her life had been happy and fulfilling.❤️
I believe some people are good people. No matter what they’ve heard about. Or, how old they are. While these people may not be naïve. But, when they find themselves in the company of. Or, just around people or a person who aren’t good. They start questioning how it happened. They know they would have never chose this. And, they take their self out of sight. Rather than ever being around trash people.
I’ve always wondered how you get a job to support yourself with a degree in Philosophy. Any ideas? Apart from that , I loved Bobbies singing and her big hit Ode to Billie Jo.
Think of Nick Bostrom. he is a Swedish philosopher and the person who is credited with coming up with the simulation theory. However what I find interesting is the correlations between simulation theory and the bible.
@Denise Heupel According to science the universe and everything in it began with a big bang. According to Genesis God said let there be and there was, the heavens, earth, etc. Accordingly simulation theory says that the beginning of everything was the turning on of the program. My thoughts are what if God was a programmer. The limitations put on the running of the program would be our laws of physics. Miracles could be achieved by simply rewriting code or inserting new code into a segment of the program. The big bang was the turning on of the computer. Creation started the moment God started the program. To be honest I haven't fully thought or written it out. It is still a work in progress. It may even be crazy
@Verena Maharajah Simulation theory was a theory purpose by Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom that states that there is a possibility that we are living in a computer simulation. What I was comparing was that theory and the creation as described in the bible.
You cut it off at a very critical point and started chatting. Listen to it again because when the young preacher man comes by the house, he mentions that he happened to see a girl that looked a lot like her "with" Billy Joe appearing to throw something off the bridge. I was born in 53 and we all thought the song was about abortion. Bobby Gentry was a back up singer and dancer in a Las Vegas Review but her family was upset that she was ruining her reputation. To calm mom and dad down, she left Vegas for California and studied philosophy at UCLA then transferred and received her degree in music from the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. She majored in music theory, lyrical writing and song composition. She worked through a Temp Agency to pay the bills. I met her at the SDC Recording studio in NYC where she recorded Public Service Announcements. I was the receptionist. She used her philosophical studies to write lyrics. You really have to listen to her songs and realize she was sharing society's issues in her music.
I guess I was hoping for more of an answer to why BG "disappeared". We already knew the musical data provided in this video. Nonetheless, I hope she found happiness in the next phase of her life.
Many musicians I listened to during 80s (I thought) were long gone. Since internet I find many are still playing and recording albums. I couldn't believe it. This lady was well known. She is before my time. I wasn't born untill 66. Yet I know her songs. She stopped after 1982? I don't get it. The underground idiots i listened to are still playing, although I'm surprised they didn't starve. Did she really want retirement?
She never wanted to be a star. she wanted to be just a song writer. It was cheaper for her to record her own demo tapes of her songs when she was just starting out. By the end of her career she just didn't care as much about her music and her career as she did about her horses.
Oh good, she didn’t really disappear. She’s apparently alive and well and living in a gated community, either in Los Angeles or near Memphis. That’s a relief. I thought maybe the video was going to be about how she was abducted by aliens or something.
@@CMSProductions I understand that you have to use provocative titles to get people to click but I did get the impression that something nefarious had happened to her. It was interesting content so it was worth watching despite the title and the annoying narration.
In 1975, I visited a cousin living in Reno, Nevada who worked at Harrah's hotel and casino. One night she treated me to a dinner show and we had a very plush booth. The people at the next booth entered and sat down a few feet from us. They were hotel owner Bill Harrah and his then wife Bobbie Gentry. She was absolutely gorgeous. I've never forgotten that.
that sounds cool.
This was in 1975. They looked happy together!@@jackwoods535
👍🏿
She truly was/is gorgeous. A great memory you shared.
She just had/has a higher class, the entertainment business is so not classy.
She was gorgeous!
Wrote a fan letter to Bobby in 67 she sent me an autographed picture with perfume on it I sniffed that picture for weeks
Do you still have it?
@@CMSProductions My mom threw all my stiff away when I went to Vietnan including Comic Books that are worth a lot today!
😁
I love it. Thanks for sharing. 👊
@@darryl3422 - Is "Vietnan" a typo or is that your deliberate spelling for some reason? Thanks for your service.
With over $100 million dollars, she did what they all should do.. Obviously, she's happy and fulfilled outside the spotlight.
I still listen to Her and so does my 33 year old Daughter, Shes awesome ❤
Chances are we’ll never know whatever happened to Bobbie Gentry. Even in the age of the Internet and social media, if a person doesn’t want to be found, that person won’t be found. But she did leave behind some great music for us to enjoy.
She is out in California raising horses.
@@CMSProductions That I didn’t know.
She lives in a suburb of Memphis, TN , She’s 71 and I presume well and happy.
@@robertanddonnagordon She was born in 1942, but only 71. What's her secret to youth?
@@robertanddonnagordon She is 81 years young.
Wow, what a list of accomplishments- this woman was a true pioneer!
I agree,
she was gorgeous , talented and left the biz early -- she had such talent
Amen and Amen
I remember heading her sing Ode to Billy Joe on my transistor radio when I was a little girl. It was the very first time I'd heard it and loved it! I still listen to it from time to time on TH-cam. ❤
Same her. Thanks for watching. I appreciate it.
@Country Music Spotlight Thanks for sharing it! I just found your channel,
I'm looking forward to seeing more.
Liked and Subscribed! 💖☘️😎👍
@@DebSherr Thank you for subscribing.
I'll be listening on the 3rd of June. 😊
I still have my autographed photo of her from 1971 when I joined her fan club...
sweet!
i will pay so much money for that ong
I really enjoy Flannery O’Conner, Shirley Jackson, Eudora Welty, & Cormac MacCarthy. This said, Bobbie Gentry is definitely a Southern Gothic poet. Many parallels between her writing and theirs.
Interesting perspective.
Shirley Jackson was Californian, fwiw.
@@louduva9849 Interesting. I don’t know a ton about Shirley Jackson, other than reading some of her work, which has some Southern Gothic elements to it, so I suppose I just assumed. You learn something new everyday.
She is such a gift to us all, great person.
I agree
I love Ode to Billie Joe. At the time I had no idea that she wrote it herself. If I had, I would have loved it even more. I still listen to that song today. ❤️
same here
That's my favorite ❤
Thank you for an excellent mini-documentary on a very talented & intelligent composer
I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching
In 1967 I was sitting at dinner or rather in the South, in one Hot Georgia Summer Night, we ( my family) was listening to BIG GUS RADIO in Augusta Georgia when Old To Billy Joe Played. We all stopped eating and listened to this song.
I got to see her in concert with Glen Campbell. She did Ode to Billie Joe and Campbell did Whichita Lineman. Both of them were great. Today I live in Meridian, Mississippi and take people up to see the Tallahatchie Bridge. There was also a movie made, Ode to Billie Joe about 1975-76
I wish i had
how far away from Meridian is the bridge?
@@markthomas2436 The bridge is in Money, Mississippi. Google Map it. The bridge of this song's fame burned down in the 1970's and was replaced with a metal one in the same spot.
The movie was on about one month ago... on TCM network. Robbie Benson played the lead part. I think Glynis O'connor was the female lead.
Isn't the late Paul Davis from Meridian as well? He died so soon.
I didn't know much about Bobby Gentry's life but I enjoyed listening to her songs when I was at university. Thanks for informing me. Nice video. Good to see you making them and working a job and caring for your wife. Good luck to you both.
Thank you and that you for watching.
People say they can't believe she packed it in so early. Those are coming from people who don't remember those days. She was probably lucky to get enough cash without be stolen from like most bands back then plus she probably had to defend herself from outright grapes and at least roaming hands on a daily basis. It was a man's and criminal loaded business and I'm glad she got out alive.
Amen and Amen
Unfortunately , I would have to agree with that statement . Before she turned 40 , she had enough
I can't imagine what many of these women went through back then even witb all of the stuff we KNOW that went on. Very sad
THANKS for this bio! (I was in a near-fatal car accident at this time, so, FORGOT MANY things; THIS VID BROUGHT QUITE A FEW memories for me…👍🏼👍🏼‼️
I am glad you enjoyed it and thank you for watching.
Such an important performer! Followed her for years . You were the bomb Bobbie!
I agree and i thank you for watching.
She is STILL the MOST beautiful C & W singers EVER. I remember she married Jim Stafford, who sang "Spiders & Snakes", one of the FUNNIEST songs EVER !! I sure wish she would sing again. I have EVERY album of hers. Just a TRUE Country singer !!
You didn't mention "My Girl Bill" which I think is equally funny
@@CMSProductions Yep, you're absolutely right. My mistake. I loved that song also. Thanks for reminding m !! I'm going to look it up right now.
Damn!?? She's GORGEOUS. I was alive when she was popular but of course e saw little of what musicians on the radio looked liked. I miss that.....and it made music better that looks were second usually....but damn, she's very beautiful. Those cheekbones and full lips. Thick brunette hair....
not only that but she is very smart and talented.
The ‘Ode to Billy Joe, tune brings back memories of when we would take our annual summer vacation to NC to visit our grandmother. Listening to it on various radio stations. It wasn’t until years later I found out the meaning of that tune!
It happens like that. You would be surprised of all the things i have learned since starting this channel.
I was going up in the 60's(I was born in 61), and I had a terrific crush on Bobbie Gentry. She was a beautiful lady, with a sexy voice, who was a great singer! ❤
That makes two of us but I have you by a year lol
One forgets she was one hell of a painter.
I think she did, at least, two of her album covers.
Peace on earth.
True. Thanks for watching i appreciate it.
She was beautiful!
she still is
No no friend she is beautiful not was beautiful 👍✌️
Right, she is still beautiful!
During the 1980's Gentry lived in a gated community on Skidaway Island near Savannah, Georgia.
hmm
Epic episode as always. Very interesting how she was in general very mysterious.
Thanks Ed. I agree even now after all these years she lives a very private life. She never wanted to be a singer. As she said, she only sang on her demos because it was cheaper than hiring someone to sing the songs she had written. Fame hit her suddenly and hard. In the end however she was able to leave on her terms.
"Ode to Billie Joe" was on the radio constantly the summer of 1967.
On the country station and top 40. It was bigger than "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was in 1964, and
that was Enormous.
yep
I've read something of that order of the songs sucess.
I LOVED.........ODE TO BILLY JOE ....SONG......I BOUGHT HER ALBUM.....I PLAYED IT.... OVER & OVER......HURRY TUESDAY CHILD.....WAS A FAVORITE OF MINE ALSO......I FORGOT ABOUT HER BIG SUCCESS......I WAS 12 YEARS OLD......WHEN I BOUGHT HER MUSIC......THANKS FOR HER STORY......SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL ALSO.....!!!
I am very glad you enjoyed it.
It would be great if she set up an interview on the internet, not in a studio with a presenter. She could do it on her own terms. Maybe some film of her life now, her love of horses, her family etc. Imagine the interest it would create. It would be watched by millions of her fans.
If you read this, Bobbie, how about it?
What a great idea
A beautiful woman and talented artist.
Agreed 100%
Thanks for this! I didn't know how intense and interesting of an artist this lady was. Of all things, I like it she has a degree in philosophy. The joke is unless you get a PhD it's no good learned this for myself! Point is I never took her seriously till your work here that teaches me of her struggles and courage in music industry. She just wanted to be herself like most of us. Thank you for this video!
Frank, I am glad you enjoyed it. I have always been fascinated by her. The lyrics to the songs she wrote are up there with Kris Kristofferson.
Bobbie Gentry split the scene a long time ago. She was done with it. As a Flannery O'Connor fan, I agree that "Ode to Billie Joe" is the epitome of Southern Gothic. Wherever Bobbie is hiding, that will always be an astonishing ballad.
I agree
I crushed on her terribly when I was 11 or 12. Even as a kid I knew she was outta my league. ❤
We all did
She was out of everyone's league, what a beautiful woman she is! Classy!
@@strongdelusion9442 Amen
I was 5 in 67' and I was crushing on her, she looked like my Mom, the same age too! Boys always try to find a woman that reminds them of Mom, it's true!
I respect her Sealth life. After playing music for 45yrs. In front of alot of people , I can personally tell you, I Hate Crowds. And peace and quiet is really nice thing.
I know what you mean
We all just now lost Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Meridith Lightfoot, and Gordon has admitted his deep love of his country of Canada, and how he goes out into the wilderness of his country or goes kyackacking to have quiet personal time to himself, therefore the ability to write even many more songs he composes that touch both the heart and souls of many of his fans who truly appreciate his work. In short, being at times alone does indeed do a person good.
@danbasta3677 oh, Darn I didn't know that Gordon Lightfoot passed away? 😮🤔 may he Rest in peace 🙏
Yep - I did 35 years, many of them on the road - don't miss it, I never liked crowds to begin with. I do very much miss seeing my friends however.
Watching this we discovered she was Roberta Lee Streeter from Mississippi. My husband is a Streeter and his family moved through Mississippi. Turns out they are close cousins! Too cool!!!
Sweet. Glad we could help.
When you hear her live performance of “Ode to Billy Joe” do you ever think it’s a true story? I do. I often have wondered how the story line transpired. I’m also intrigued by her flawless guitar picking on the small guitar and how the instrument and her delivery were so spot on perfect. To me it’s mesmerizing. When I play it once, I have to plan in advance because I know I will play it at least 3 times in a row because I feel something I can’t pin point.
My thoughts revolve around, was she involved in a murder in real life and felt compelled to admit everything in song or was it a local story people talked about that she picked up on and ran with it as a great poem set to music?
She is a high intelligence human and people of this caliber of smarts scare me . She married Jim Stafford, a comedic genius (in my opinion) and I bet he was one of few men that could make her laugh.
I’m thankful she made it out of the music jungle and is living a long and presumably fulfilled life. Unlike many of the greats that accomplished similar musical genius feats like Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, Johnny Horton, Buddy Holley, Jim Morrison, Hank Williams, Keith Whitley. I often wonder what these amazing talents would have produced if they hadn’t been silenced from tragic events.
Very thoughtful and insightful. I agree 100%
Like you I alway imagined ode to billie Joe was a true story ,and it was such a captivating song full of atmosphere and I could imagine being that little girl coming home for lunch after a day in the fields etc . I was surprised that the vlog didn’t mention that , a film was made of the same name was made I presume after some years interpreting the story of the song , I remember Bobbie Benson played the part of Billie Joe ,although I can’t remember exactly how they interpreted the story exactly , I was only a child when I first heard it and didn’t understand it , but late in life I came to believe that the story was a bout a doomed romance ,between Billie and some younger girl possibly the narrator , coming home for lunch .And that the thing object thrown off the bridge was A stillborn baby ,conceived in secret by the couple who desperately needed it to remain secret ! Well that’s what I came up with , probably nothing of the sort . Or some kind of veiled reference to homosexuality ,on the part of Billie which I imagine at that time in the south would have been a big scandal say in the early 1960s or earlier , but the point is it was a spine tingling performance I’ve never forgotten , any one else got a theory ??? If so I’d love to hear it ❤
She found out Billy Jo didn’t jump of the Tallahchee bridge and had to go into witness protection. She will take her secret to the grave.
@@rapman5363 brilliant !
You people are crazier than hell. Get a job!
I remember seeing JimStafford and Bobby Gentry during their honeymoon at SpenceManor,when I was working there in the mid 70,s. They both had hit records at the time.
sweet.
'MY GIRL BILL"
I still remember all the words to "Ode to Billie Jo" from when it came out. Great movie as well.
It is a song that once you hear it says in your brain forever.
2022: Bobbie Gentry (who goes by her original name Roberta Streeter) inks a huge multi million dollar publishing deal with U.M.G(Universal Music Group). She was able to effectively use the clause in American song copyright law that gives a songwriter, or their estate, 100% of publishing rights after 55 years. John Fogerty, Paul Anka and Paul McCartney have also used this clause to obtain favorable new publishing deals. Roberta Streeter chose to stay with U.M.G( who had been in control of her Capitol recordings and publishing for over a decade) because she was impressed on how they were managing her creative assets. Her 2018 box set ,The Girl from Chickasaw County: The Complete Capitol Masters, was a major artistic and commercial success selling 20,000 box sets at nearly 100 dollars each. It earned a 2019 grammy nomination for Best Historical recording. Other deluxe editions of her recordings have sold out within days.
Ok
I loved this song when it came out. Very ahead of its time. I could sing it to this day I can sing all the lyrics.
I agree. There is something about that song that is very haunting.
Ode to Billy Joe takes me back to my childhood. I always liked that song. Was a trip to read many years later what she said the song was actually about. Great memories.
I am glad you enjoyed it.
What an amazing upload my friend ! You just keep getting better and better with your subtle tweaking of the channel. I'm so happy and proud to be along with you for the ride, my friend ! Really great work bro !
it is I who thank you my friend. Besides you are just happy that your Steelers beat my Tampa Bay today. lol. Seriously thank you. The latest chances weren't my idea they were TH-cam.
@@CMSProductions Just please know that you can always consider me a supporter of you and your fine channel Dave !
@@revmo37 I know that and I appreciate that. I was just teasing with you.
@Kevin O'Toole Long time no hear from. Is everything Ok?
@@CMSProductions Hey Dave. It's so kind of you to care enough to check in with me. Short answer. I'm ok, but some seriously rocky family dynamics going on. We'll talk when possible. I haven't been online but a few moments the last few weeks. You're a good friend Dave. Thank you
Great song ".its was the 3rd of june another.".........n my birthday!!!! was a teenager when this came out.......
sweet.
I thought that I saw a girl who looked a lot like Bobbie Gentry, up on Choctaw Ridge.
You might have. That is where they filmed the video for the song.
Great video on a amazing women....thank you!
I am glad you liked it and thanks for watching
I loved the song Ode to Billy Joe even as a kid. It always had a magical quality to me.
It does for us too.
I still say that she is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.
I would tell you that you are right Bill but my wife is sitting right next to me. I will thank you for watching.
You have NOT seen many then?
@@kingston163 Sorry buddie, I've seen a lot and agree with Bill
@@hyzercreek Is your 'a lot' coming from a sheltered perspective, you're very young, live isolated or you are Bill's younger brother?
@@kingston163 The reason you dont like her is you like little boys?
Ode toBillie Joe was unique even today when i hear it i think of a hot sultry summer day and the spookyness of it captures your ear..i was 13 but thought i was or wishing i was 18...great song.
I agree with you there. Thanks for watching
The strings on her hit are a lot to do with making it so emotional. Jimmy Haskell was the number one string composer and arranger in Nashville during the 60's and 70's.
That is true and he had a lot to do with what became known as the "Nashville Sound" that Chet Atkins developed as a producer.
A beautiful lady with a beautiful voice
We agree
I remember writing out ‘Ode’ in my journal and loved her singing since I heard it
yep.
"There was a virus goin round , Papa caught it and he died last spring , and Now Mama doesn't seem to want to do much of anything ". Lyrics in the song ,Ode to Billy Joe , performed and written by Bobbie Gentry .
Yep. Thanks for watching.
She was just as beautiful in her golden years Definitely A Queen of Country Music ❤❤
I agree sherry
What a beautiful woman.
I agree. Thanks for watching.
Even with the fake eyelashes always on?
She sure had success in the late sixties being talented and beautiful. I hope her personal life after this was just as good.
It seems to be.
I think she didn't have a huge ego, and once she'd made enough money to get out of the business, she did. I love the urban legend of Ode to Billy Joe - i came across it by fluke and spent good few hours researching it to see if it was true. The film was pretty good too. I love the story told in the song, it was a riveting story.
It is for sure a classic
I never got to see the movie on tv when it was shown, although, I wanted to. To busy working all the time. In 1967, when this song was popular, I was 12 years old. She's like 14 years older than me, however I really liked that song very, very much, Ode To Billy Jo. I now have a CD recording of the song.
@Dan Basta it's on youtube for a couple of dollars, which is where i found it. Robby Benson is brilliant.
Surprising how educated she was. Also The Doors, Jodi Mitchell, and Carley Simon. These people were anything but the "uneducated no talent bums" my parents generation often called them. Some of the smartest, best educated, and talented people ever.
Yep and future singer and song writers of the future will learn from them as others have.
@@CMSProductions That's Joni, not Jodi Mitchell.
@@markr.1984 and Carly, not Carley.
@@markr.1984 And The Doors, not Thy Doors
i know now how really smart those old rockers were/are
Ode to Billy Joe hit me like lightening.❤❤❤
We have same birthday!
sweet
The first 30 seconds of “My Elusive Dreams” with Glen Campbell has got to be the sexiest voice of any woman who has ever lived.
True.
Good looking and very talented and obviously smart too.
Amen on that.
67 was the BEST year for Music of ALL time !!!
That's one theory
Loved her philosophy might be my favorite hillBilly never knew about her connection to Jethro Bodine ( Max) small world 🌎
True it is a small world
Ode to Billy Joe is unforgettable! ❤
I agree. so is fancy
She is absolutely gorgeous looking♥️😊🇬🇧
I have to agree with you. Thanks for watching.
@@CMSProductions thankyou for the vid 😊🇬🇧
More like, ok!
@@kingston163 wrong
She was also a part of the Phoenix Suns original ownership group.
True. She is a smart business woman.
Rest peacefully, Bobbie Gentry. 🕊🕊🕊🕊
she is still alive
I a golden age of country music she was the diamond in the jewel in my opinion. I hope she is well.
She is.
The title of this video implies that she actually disappeared. She did not. Her career just fizzled and she faded away.
With her song writing ability she didn't just fizzle and fade. She disappeared from the industry because she turned her back on it.
She was what made life such a blessing her songs were great and voice so rewarding but her beauty matched legands like liz taylor and her sink like monroe .
Agreed 💯
THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE personified, without falling down under the influence of FEMME FATALE ...
Yep!!
Country Music Spotlight must didn't know that Ode to Billie Joe was a top hit on the soul charts as well in '67.
You got me there.
They sure pumped those albums out quickly. Amazing the follow-up singles and albums didn't chart higher.
They know a good thing when they hear it?
"Pumped" means you cash in while you can.
As a teen I tried to copy her look. Hip hugger, bell bottoms, crop tops and big hair. I loved her.
We still do
I had a huge crush on her when I was a kid.
I did and still do.
Bobbi Gentry wrote Ode To Billie Joe as a longer 5-minute song; but her record company edited it down. Probably why it's so mysterious; because we're only hearing part of the story. Does anybody have access to the rest of the story? The complete lyrics that Bobby Gentry wrote?
Sorry to say I don't. Thanks for watching.
@@Teabag697 The gay storyline was the movie they made based on the song. In an interview with Bobby, she was asked what they threw off the bridge, and she wouldn't confirm any particular story. So, if she did have something in mind she kept it to herself! Everyone has their theory of what she meant, but apparently the world will never know for sure. If anyone can reference an interview or article where Bobbie herself confirms the meaning, I'd love to read it!
She was one of the original owners of the Phoenix Suns. Very savvy business woman.
Yes she is.
When I was a little kid, even before I understood charisma or sex appeal, I knew that Bobby Gentry and Jeannie C Riley had it.
Yep
She didn't disappear she simply moved to California got married and just enjoyed life. Where she lives now idk. California or Memphis I'd guess.
She disappeared from the music industry.
She should be 80 by now😳
Yep i think she is.
I don't care where her gated community is as long as she is safe from all the slimy hands I'm sure she delt with daily. I'm glad she was smart enough to out wit the thieves and grapists.
true
50 cent said he grew up on the streets and did prison time and that did not even begin to prepare him for being in the music industry. Bobby must have been one strong woman to travel that road and be successful. I loved her music and I hope her life had been happy and fulfilling.❤️
@@jenniferjackson9642 wow, that's a pretty powerful statement coming from fif. He's one of the rare real ones out there. Thanks for that quote.
Loved her ❤
yep
I believe some people are good people. No matter what they’ve heard about. Or, how old they are. While these people may not be naïve. But, when they find themselves in the company of. Or, just around people or a person who aren’t good. They start questioning how it happened. They know they would have never chose this. And, they take their self out of sight. Rather than ever being around trash people.
true
I’ve always wondered how you get a job to support yourself with a degree in Philosophy. Any ideas? Apart from that , I loved Bobbies singing and her big hit Ode to Billie Jo.
Think of Nick Bostrom. he is a Swedish philosopher and the person who is credited with coming up with the simulation theory. However what I find interesting is the correlations between simulation theory and the bible.
@@CMSProductions could you please explain what you mean about the Simulation theory and the Bible being the same?
@Denise Heupel According to science the universe and everything in it began with a big bang. According to Genesis God said let there be and there was, the heavens, earth, etc. Accordingly simulation theory says that the beginning of everything was the turning on of the program. My thoughts are what if God was a programmer. The limitations put on the running of the program would be our laws of physics. Miracles could be achieved by simply rewriting code or inserting new code into a segment of the program. The big bang was the turning on of the computer. Creation started the moment God started the program.
To be honest I haven't fully thought or written it out. It is still a work in progress. It may even be crazy
@@CMSProductions What is Simulation theory please? I’ve not heard of it, and what does it have to do with the Bible? I’m very interested.
@Verena Maharajah Simulation theory was a theory purpose by Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom that states that there is a possibility that we are living in a computer simulation. What I was comparing was that theory and the creation as described in the bible.
Bobbie Gentry Net Worth 2023 = >$110 million, smart lady. Philosophy major.
True
You cut it off at a very critical point and started chatting. Listen to it again because when the young preacher man comes by the house, he mentions that he happened to see a girl that looked a lot like her "with" Billy Joe appearing to throw something off the bridge.
I was born in 53 and we all thought the song was about abortion. Bobby Gentry was a back up singer and dancer in a Las Vegas Review but her family was upset that she was ruining her reputation. To calm mom and dad down, she left Vegas for California and studied philosophy at UCLA then transferred and received her degree in music from the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. She majored in music theory, lyrical writing and song composition. She worked through a Temp Agency to pay the bills. I met her at the SDC Recording studio in NYC where she recorded Public Service Announcements. I was the receptionist. She used her philosophical studies to write lyrics. You really have to listen to her songs and realize she was sharing society's issues in her music.
I love it. Thank you for sharing
Can you do another video and include the actual music? Her beautiful voice was nowhere to be heard. Sixteen & a half minutes.
the music is copyrighted. so i can use the music in the video
I guess I was hoping for more of an answer to why BG "disappeared". We already knew the musical data provided in this video. Nonetheless, I hope she found happiness in the next phase of her life.
I am sorry you didn't enjoy the video. I thought I gave an explanation as to why she disappeared from the music industry.
@@CMSProductions I enjoyed the recap.
Look how fast and far we have come. The AI VOICE GENERATES almost perfect except for sentence ending and page change. Amazing
Thanks
I always thought she was the most gorgeous lovely woman. Great song and so talented.
I have to agree with you there.
Many musicians I listened to during 80s (I thought) were long gone. Since internet I find many are still playing and recording albums. I couldn't believe it. This lady was well known. She is before my time. I wasn't born untill 66. Yet I know her songs.
She stopped after 1982? I don't get it. The underground idiots i listened to are still playing, although I'm surprised they didn't starve. Did she really want retirement?
She never wanted to be a star. she wanted to be just a song writer. It was cheaper for her to record her own demo tapes of her songs when she was just starting out. By the end of her career she just didn't care as much about her music and her career as she did about her horses.
Love Her Music
so do I. Thanks for watching
She’s a beautiful lady
That she is
She probably got a elegant Georgia mansion and a New York Townhouse flat, and she ain’t done bad.
hmmm
Oh good, she didn’t really disappear. She’s apparently alive and well and living in a gated community, either in Los Angeles or near Memphis. That’s a relief. I thought maybe the video was going to be about how she was abducted by aliens or something.
She disappeared from the music industry.
the narrator is certainly not human, no human is that annoying
@@UseByDate-Expired
It pauses in all the wrong places. It’s hard to listen to.
@@CMSProductions
I understand that you have to use provocative titles to get people to click but I did get the impression that something nefarious had happened to her. It was interesting content so it was worth watching despite the title and the annoying narration.
40 miles east of Memphis.
The synthetic narration is very off-putting. Is there a legitimate reason for the poor quality artificial voice?
It was all I could afford at the time.
Happy birthday Bobbi!!!
Yep today is her birthday 🎉🎂
Smart talented and got out at the top of her game. Good for her I say.
Amen and Amen
Like that old song said, "When you're hot, you're hot; when you're not, you're not."
You mean that ol' Jerry Reed song. Guess he should have paid that $100 he owed the judge.
Such a beautiful & talented lady!
True