I too, like at least one other commenter here, think the spelling of “Billie Joe” is a hint to the meaning of this song. It is the female spelling and yet the same spelling doesn’t appear in the song. (Here I assume that the song lyrics were transcribed from the original source and reflect the intended spelling) Also , I believe it is clear that the girl telling the story had a relationship with Billy Joe (the boy who jumped off the bridge). She is, after all, very upset by the news. As well, it seems clear that her family has no idea that she had a relationship with Billy Joe as they discuss his death so callously and when she reacts they don’t seem to have any idea why. The big mystery is, of course, what did they throw off the bridge? I suggest that the girl had a miscarriage and that something about it made Billy Joe feel very guilty–perhaps it was induced in some way, either by word or deed–thus his tragic suicide and her regret. Oh yes, and the of course the fetus was girl prematurely named Billie Joe, after the father. A sad, sad tale indeed.
@poetryman You are closest in your explanation, but whoever typed the original lyrics probably got the spelling wrong as it is clearly a boy in the Ode. But the pregnancy is only conjecture and really has nothing realistic to do with it, a simple case of a one-sided love affair with the girl feeling guilty about it, so she throws flowers in the river -- it makes her feel better and is a normal deed.
@poetryman You are closest in your explanation, but whoever typed the original lyrics probably got the spelling wrong as it is clearly a boy in the Ode. But the pregnancy is only conjecture and really has nothing realistic to do with it, a simple case of a one-sided love affair with the girl feeling guilty about it, so she throws flowers in the river -- it makes her feel better and is a normal deed.
I too, like at least one other commenter here, think the spelling of “Billie Joe” is a hint to the meaning of this song. It is the female spelling and yet the same spelling doesn’t appear in the song. (Here I assume that the song lyrics were transcribed from the original source and reflect the intended spelling) Also , I believe it is clear that the girl telling the story had a relationship with Billy Joe (the boy who jumped off the bridge). She is, after all, very upset by the news. As well, it seems clear that her family has no idea that she had a relationship with Billy Joe as they discuss his death so callously and when she reacts they don’t seem to have any idea why. The big mystery is, of course, what did they throw off the bridge? I suggest that the girl had a miscarriage and that something about it made Billy Joe feel very guilty–perhaps it was induced in some way, either by word or deed–thus his tragic suicide and her regret. Oh yes, and the of course the fetus was girl prematurely named Billie Joe, after the father. A sad, sad tale indeed.
@poetryman You are closest in your explanation, but whoever typed the original lyrics probably got the spelling wrong as it is clearly a boy in the Ode. But the pregnancy is only conjecture and really has nothing realistic to do with it, a simple case of a one-sided love affair with the girl feeling guilty about it, so she throws flowers in the river -- it makes her feel better and is a normal deed.
@poetryman You are closest in your explanation, but whoever typed the original lyrics probably got the spelling wrong as it is clearly a boy in the Ode. But the pregnancy is only conjecture and really has nothing realistic to do with it, a simple case of a one-sided love affair with the girl feeling guilty about it, so she throws flowers in the river -- it makes her feel better and is a normal deed.
@poetryman I read that the spelling was originally Billy but the record company got it wrong, which upset her, but it was too late to fix it.
@poetryman I read that the spelling was originally Billy but the record company got it wrong, which upset her, but it was too late to fix it.