About

Bobbie Gentry’s touching „ Ode to Billie Joe“ was released 50 years ago in July 1967. 

While almost everyone praises the outstanding narrative quality of the song - no doubt about it - the musicality of Bobby Gentry is a 

little neglected. If you leave out the lyrics - as we always do - it is still a great song. 

Original Key

D

Tuning 

Drop DG

Tab Notes

Quite a tricky rhythm, and a wonderful bluesy melody line. This tab is very much inspired by Martin Tallström’s version (love it !)

I just drop-tuned one more string and made it a little simpler. The D7 with the * is originally including an A in the bass, but that would unnecessarily be complicating things. However, I tabbed that as a variation with chord charts.