101 #1 Song of the Day 8-27-12

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The 101 number one song of the day spawned a lyrical mystery that puzzled listeners for years.

It was actually the “B” side of a song that few people will remember but this was one flip side that made such an impact on the American scene that a movie was made about it 9 years after it was a hit.  It was written and performed by Roberta Lee Streeter who always felt that those pre-occupied by the mystery missed the point of the song, which she said was “sort of a study in unconscious cruelty.  The real message revolves around the nonchalant way a family talks about a tragedy that affected a member of that family,” according to Streeter whose song was number one in the U.S. on August 27, 1967.  By this time she had changed her last name to Gentry.  Here’s Bobby Gentry with the 101 number one of the day (Ode to Billie Joe)