B. J. Thomas

Billy and Sue

1966 · Hickory 45-P-1395 · Nashville, Tennessee

Artist
B. J. Thomas
Title
Billy and Sue
Release
Billy and Sue / Never Tell
Year
1966
Label
Hickory # 45-P-1395
Format
7" · Single
Language
English
Country
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Songwriter
Mark Charron
Genre
Pop · Pop
Primary theme
Home Front Perspective / Soldier's Perspective

Annotation

The song "Billy and Sue" (Hickory Records # 45-P-1395) by B.J. Thomas. About a high school couple. Billy drafted to fight in the war for his country. While gone, Sue met someone else, and sent Billy a Dear John letter, which broke his heart. He was killed why fighting. He died of a bullet and broken heart. This is a story about Billy and Sue They were as in love as were any two And yet billy had to die And when you hear the reason why You'll hang your head and cry Billy and sue met the first day of school... And when billy was old enough to take a wife He was old enough to fight for his country... Sue's letters came everyday, strengthened his cause To fight for his country and the girl he loved... But then Billy heard no more from Sue He was worried sick but what could he do The bullets were screaming as he hugged the ground And back home Sue was runnin' round... And then like a miracle the letter appeared Billy tore the letter open and he read Dear John... And even though the air was filled with lead Billy jumped up, they shot him dead Billy was buried in a far away grave It read for his country his life he gave But that epitaph was only a part He didn't die from a bullet But he…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Draft Songs

The song "Billy and Sue" (Hickory Records # 45-P-1395) by B.J. Thomas. About a high school couple. Billy drafted to fight in the war for his country. While gone, Sue met someone else, and sent Billy a Dear John letter, which broke his heart. He was killed why fighting. He died of a bullet and broken heart. "This is a story about Billy and Sue / They were as in love as were any two / And yet Billy had to die / And when you hear the reason why / You'll hang your head and cry / Billy and Sue met the first day of school... / And when Billy was old enough to take a wife / He was old enough to fight for his country... / Sue's letters came everyday, strengthened his cause / To fight for his country and the girl he loved... / But then Billy heard no more from Sue / He was worried sick but what could he do / The bullets were screaming as he hugged the ground / And back home Sue was runnin' round... / And then like a miracle the letter appeared / Billy tore the letter open and he read Dear John... / And even though the air was filled with lead / Billy jumped up, they shot him dead / Billy was buried in a far away grave / It read for his country his life he gave / But that epitaph was only a…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

About the artist

Born Hugo, Oklahoma, USA, 7 August 1942. Currently Arlington, Texas, USA

Themes

Soldier's Perspective · Home Front Perspective · Dear John Letter · K.I.A.

In collections

Draft Songs