Beautiful.



One of the surprises of this is the complexity of the lyrics.

The Physics of Music.

Why Science Fiction Movie Music Composers love the "Perfect Fifth."

Fields of Gold.

Ode to Billy Joe



So, what did she throw off the Tallahatchee bridge?

The Wiki entry for Bobbie Gentry describes this 1967 hit as "Southern Gothic."

Concerning the lyrics, Wikie says:

Gentry herself has commented on the song, saying that its real theme was indifference:


“ Those questions are of secondary importance in my mind. The story of Billie Joe has two more interesting underlying themes. First, the illustration of a group of people's reactions to the life and death of Billie Joe, and its subsequent effect on their lives, is made. Second, the obvious gap between the girl and her mother is shown when both women experience a common loss (first, Billie Joe and, later, Papa), and yet Mama and the girl are unable to recognize their mutual loss or share their grief

Tennessee Ernie and a really young Johnny Cash.

Lyrical History.

I remember the Kingston Trio's song about "Charley, the man who never returned,"  who was condemned to ride the MTA underneath Boston because he lacked the nickel to get off the train.  It was a cute, catchy jingle.

What I didn't know is that it was a campaign song and the part about "vote for George O'Brien" was a real solicitation to vote for an actual candidate in a Boston Council race back in 1949.

Music Archeology

Is Procul Harem's "A Whiter Shade of Pale" based on a poem by Rober Burns?


Don't know, but it would be cool if it was.