Thomas was raised in and around Houston, Texas, graduating from Lamar Consolidated High School in Rosenberg. Before his solo career, he sang in a church choir as a teenager, then joined the musical group The Triumphs. During his senior year he made friends with Roy Head of Roy Head and The Traits. The Traits and the Triumphs held several Battle of the Bands events in the early 1960s.
In 1966, B.J. Thomas and The Triumphs released the album I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry (Pacemaker Records). It featured a hit cover of the Hank Williams song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". The single sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. The follow-up single, "Mama", peaked at No. 22. In the same year, Thomas released a solo album of the same name on the Scepter Records label.
Thomas came back to achieve mainstream success again in 1968, first with "The Eyes of a New York Woman", then five months later with the much bigger "Hooked on a Feeling", which featured the sound of Reggie Young's electric sitar and was first released on the album On My Way (Scepter Records). "Hooked on a Feeling" became Thomas's second million-selling record. A year later Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid featured Thomas performing the Bacharach/David song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", which won the Academy Award for best original song that year and hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1970. Sales of it also exceeded one million copies, with Thomas being awarded his third gold record. The song was also released on an album of the same name. Other hits of the 1970s were "Everybody's Out of Town", "I Just Can't Help Believing" (No. 9 in 1970, covered by Elvis Presley), "No Love at All", "Mighty Clouds of Joy", and "Rock and Roll Lullaby".
Thomas's earlier hits were with Scepter Records, his label for six years. He left Scepter Records in 1972 and spent a short period, in 1973 and 1974, with Paramount Records, during which time he released two albums, Songs (1973) and Longhorns & Londonbridges (1974).
In 1975, Thomas released the album Reunion on ABC Records, which had absorbed the Paramount label; it contained "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" (the longest titled No. 1 hit ever on the Hot 100). It was Thomas's first big hit since 1972 and secured him his fourth gold record. It won the 1976 Grammy Award for Best Country Song, awarded to its songwriters, Larry Butler and Chips Moman.
In 1976, Thomas released Home Where I Belong, produced by Chris Christian on Myrrh Records, the first of several gospel albums. It was the first Christian album to go platinum, and Thomas became the biggest contemporary Christian artist of the period.
On MCA Records, Thomas and Chris Christian recorded what would be his last Top 40 hit single, "Don't Worry Baby", on his last pop album, which also included the Adult Contemporary hit "Still the Lovin' Is Fun".
During the 1980s, his success on the pop charts began to wane, but many of his singles reached the upper regions on the country singles chart, including two 1983 chart toppers, "Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love" and "New Looks from an Old Lover" (see 1984 in music), as well as "Two Car Garage", which reached No. 3. In 1981, on his 39th birthday, Thomas became the 60th member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Thomas scored another hit, recording "As Long As We Got Each Other", the theme to Growing Pains, with Jennifer Warnes. A later version, used for the show's fourth season, was recorded with British singer Dusty Springfield. Thomas first released this track on his 1985 album Throwing Rocks at the Moon (Columbia Records).
Thomas has also authored two books including the autobiography Home Where I Belong, and starred in the movies Jory and "Jake's Corner". Several commercial jingles including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Bell, have featured his singing voice and music. On December 31, 2011, Thomas was the featured halftime performer at the 2011 Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
On April 2, 2013, Thomas released The Living Room Sessions, an album with acoustic arrangements of well known hits. It features guest appearances with established and emerging vocalists accompanying Thomas on seven of twelve tracks.
On December 3, 2013, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced that his 1969 single "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" would be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Thomas was married to singer-songwriter Gloria Richardson since December 1968. They had three daughters: Paige (born 1970), Nora (adopted from Korea in 1978), and Erin (born in 1979). Shortly after Thomas's career began, he became dependent on drugs and alcohol which led to his marriage nearly ending and himself even coming close to death. Gloria became a Christian in 1975, and less than a month later, so did B.J.; most press sources indicate that Thomas had been sober since their separation was reconciled in 1976.
Billy and Sue
B.J. Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They were in love as any other two
But 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 ever since lived by the golden rule
What you wouldn't want done to you
You'd have to be a fool
Mutual agreement led to love and trust
They would travel the road to marriage or bust
But when Billy was old enough to take a wife
He was old enough to fight for his country
And his way of life
Sue's letters came every day
Gave him the strength to show him the way
To fight for his country and the girl he loved
That's a soldier's only fate
Then Billy heard no word from Sue
He was worried sick but what could he do
The bullets were flying as he hugged the ground and back home
Sue was running round
Billy was growing less and less strong
His hope his faith was almost gone
Then like a miracle a letter appeared
Billy tore the letter open and he read
Dear John
A look came over Billy that would scare a ghost
Familiar look seen on soldiers coast to coast
Even though the air was filled with lead
Billy jumped up
They shot him dead
Billy was buried in a faraway grave that read
For his country his life he gave
But the epitaph was only a part
He didn't die from a bullet but he died
From a broken heart
B.J. Thomas's "Billy and Sue" tells the story of two young lovers who met in school and were devoted to each other. However, their plans for a future together were cut short when Billy was drafted to fight in a war. Sue sent him letters every day to give him strength and hope, but one day the letters suddenly stopped. Billy became worried and waited anxiously for any word from Sue. As he fought in the war, he learned that Sue had left him for another man, causing Billy to lose all hope and faith in life. When he received a "Dear John" letter, he jumped up but was shot dead, dying not from a bullet but a broken heart.
The song tells a powerful tale of how love and loyalty can be shattered by the painful realities of war and heartbreak. It also emphasizes the strength and importance of a soldier's resolve and dedication to the country, even in the midst of personal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a story about Billy and Sue
A narrative about the young couple, Billy and Sue
They were in love as any other two
They were in love like any other couple
But Billy had to die
Billy had to die unfortunately
And when you hear the reason why
When you hear the reason, you'll be sad
You'll hang your head and cry
You'll feel sorrowful and cry
Billy and Sue met the first day of school
Billy and Sue met on their first day of school
And ever since lived by the golden rule
They followed the Golden Rule of treating others as you want to be treated
When you do unto others
When you treat others
What you wouldn't want done to you
The way you want to be treated
You'd have to be a fool
You'd be foolish not to follow the rule
Mutual agreement led to love and trust
They agreed and had love and trust
They would travel the road to marriage or bust
They planned to go through highs and lows and get married
But when Billy was old enough to take a wife
When Billy was ready to marry
He was old enough to fight for his country
He was old enough to fight for his country
And his way of life
And his values
Sue's letters came every day
Sue sent letters to Billy every day
Gave him the strength to show him the way
They encouraged and motivated him
To fight for his country and the girl he loved
He fought for his country and Sue
That's a soldier's only fate
That's what a soldier has to do
Then Billy heard no word from Sue
Billy stopped receiving any letters from Sue
He was worried sick but what could he do
He was severely concerned but helpless
The bullets were flying as he hugged the ground and back home
He was in combat while Sue was away from him
Sue was running round
Sue was seeing other people
Billy was growing less and less strong
Billy's physical and emotional state was declining
His hope his faith was almost gone
He was losing hope and faith in Sue
Then like a miracle a letter appeared
Then, surprisingly, he received a letter
Billy tore the letter open and he read
Billy opened the letter and read it
Dear John
A letter equivalent of getting dumped
A look came over Billy that would scare a ghost
He had a terrible and haunting expression
Familiar look seen on soldiers coast to coast
Common among soldiers all over the country
Even though the air was filled with lead
Despite being attacked by enemies
Billy jumped up
Billy stood up suddenly
They shot him dead
He was killed on sight
Billy was buried in a faraway grave that read
Billy was buried in a distant location with a grave that had an inscription
For his country his life he gave
He sacrificed his life for the country
But the epitaph was only a part
But the eulogy only tells part of the story
He didn't die from a bullet but he died
He didn't get killed by a bullet, but still died
From a broken heart
Because of a heartbreak
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK CHARRON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@myself1056
I have always loved this song!!! It seemed like no one else had heard of it! Thanks to youtube, I can hear it and see the lyrics!!! Very sad that this story was and is true for so many of our soldiers...God Bless Our Soldiers
@gordonitis
I was in the Tonkin Gulf when I first heard this song. Sadly this is not just a song but the truth. I cant believe there are so many heartless women who would send their boy friends and husbands Dear John letters. Great song
@frankcathy7055
Great song I got my Dear John in 69. Yep it happen a lot and it was so sad. Welcome Home Brothers..
@09jitters
Welcome home to you also my brother. We as Vietnam Vets will always be brothers and sisters. Got mine in 69 also. Take care. Semper Fi !
@3vino1
+Frank Cathy One of the first things we were told when I went active duty in the Navy, was, do not send money to a girlfriend. Some guys sent their girlfriends money to save it for their wedding. Dear John and goodbye money. I don't understand how someone could be that cold hearted.
@09jitters
3vino1
We as men are weak when it comes to the love for a women. We will never understand what women are thinking or what their motives are. I for one refuse to burn myself out trying to figure out any women. Cold cold hearts they can and often do have.
@MisterEspee
When this song came out in 1966 I was in Viet-Nam. The song hit home for lots of the guys in my outfit.
@barbaraaubin7521
Love this song. Thank you for your beautiful songs
@daisyflowers9334
Thanks so much for your service!.. My Hubby was over there while I was safe here at home and attending Jr High and High School. I remember after we were married, and he tried to find a job, because he mentioned he was a Viet Nam vet, he didn't get hired. This song always reminds me of Viet Nam and His service and all the rest of his fellow servicemen. I don't understand how a gal could to do this while her husband or boyfriend was in a war zone. Self-Centeredness is all I can say is the cause.
@freemanizr
BJ, was given award for this song from a group of Viet Nam Vets but he felt he didn't deserve it and felt guilty cause he did not enter the service...but did accept it in the Honor of all Veterans....quite an individual...