I know that perfection probably doesn't exist, but I think this song is The Most Perfect Song I've Heard.

Visually this video is so good! Yoko opening the windows -- gets me every time

Yes, I find it timeless, too, LyricalOne but perhaps it approached perfection, too - - regardless of one's thoughts of the lyrics. I like the spirit of the song even though Lennon says "no religion, too."

This is all so lovely!
It's good to hear and see this again.

I'll get back - - sorry - - must go

Visually exciting video - - all the colors! They fit the song well to my eyes and ears.
Oh, and the song is fun, too!
Thanks, Truthseeker!

(I didn't catch that that was Katy Perry until the credits rolled, ha!)

I'll get back - - sorry - - must go

Agreed. I find it a very sad song, Adaydreambeliever. But I also find it sad in how casually everyone around the lunch table converses about the suicide. Under bhwilson's answer I posted some quotes from Bobbie Gentry about how she sees the song herself -- I must've been a strange kid; even young, I picked up on "Are these people being sort of mean? The way they're talking?"
:)

Bobbie Gentry can answer better than I
:)

I found this quote in an article -- if you want more of the article let me know and I can find it - - maybe I'll go back and put the link here, too.

I'm not pretending to be a hotshot but what always struck me about the song was the casual way they're all talking about this death - - across the lunch table. Sort of like what Gentry says here. And I never really thought about what was thrown off the bridge -- the closest I thought were just flowers - - as the narrator does at the end of the song.
I talk too much -- 

Here's the quote ~
(and thanks for answering, bhwilson!)

 -- As Gentry told Fred Bronson, “The song is sort of a study in unconscious cruelty. But everybody seems more concerned with what was thrown off the bridge than they are with the thoughtlessness of the people expressed in the song. What was thrown off the bridge really isn’t that important.

“Everybody has a different guess about what was thrown off the bridge—flowers, a ring, even a baby. Anyone who hears the song can think what they want, but the real message of the song, if there must be a message, revolves around the nonchalant way the family talks about the suicide. They sit there eating their peas and apple pie and talking, without even realizing that Billie Joe’s girlfriend is sitting at the table, a member of the family.” --

Here's a link to the article:


https://performingsongwriter.com/bobbie-gentry-ode-billie-joe/

This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at August 20, 2017 7:50 PM MDT

Well, that was my take on the song: weird story about weird people that I'd rather not hear about. Gruesome, sick, uncaring people who really don't deserve a song.

I love your response, Jewels Vern!! I'm right there with you -- except that I'm glad Gentry wrote the song about them anyway.
:)

Well thank you. I appreciate your acceptance. A lot of people think I must be a reprobate if I don't just love everything that comes along. After all, I didn't deny the validity of the art, I just didn't like the characters.

what a voice

The first 22 seconds -- that's the quality I like best in her voice! I've never heard her before your two answers here.
:)
I'm typing as I listen -- to be honest, I hope she doesn't go loud and intense in this song. I'm at the 1:30 mark and she's nailing it for me.
:)

Nope - - the 4:00 mark- - don't like it. By 4:30 she's back to what I like. So one phrase she goes too loud and hearty for me.
:)

I like this song by her much better than "At Last."
:)
LOVELY voice!
:)
Thanks, Baba

-- sorry for my unasked-for running commentary.

At Last by Etta James 1961...   I could still dance back then..enjoyed your posted version of same...

She's the singer I most equate with this song, Beans/SilentGeneration. I have a compilation of some of her music -- impressive to say the least.
:)

I'll get back - - sorry - - must go

Even in her intense spots here, she still comes across as a gentle voice --  and i like that. This is the first song I've heard from her -- I think I like her the best in this song in the quiet moments.
Thanks, Baba!
:)

I'll get back - - sorry - - must go

He has a really nice voice! I don't know if I've even heard of him before. He certainly makes this song a smooth listening experience.
:)

Is this song from "The Suburbs" album? I really should get this album if so.
 Even though I've still not watched "Out of Africa" that you posted -- I must, I know.

OMG!! This music video! I don't think I caught all the details but it certainly is not a happy ending/boy-meets-girl story! And the video is entitled as an "unofficial" music video -- did someone go and create this visuals on their own? They're theatrical quality.

Thanks, Shar to the Rona- - great song! And video!

Oh, and I'm glad you like "Ode to Billie Joe," too!
:) This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at August 21, 2017 6:49 PM MDT