Billy Joe Royal

Billy Joe Royal

935 fans

The singer Billy Joe Royal is best known for his 1965 version of the Joe South song 'Down in the Boondocks', a track which had some striking similarities to Gene Pitney's '24 Hours from Tulsa' which had been a hit during the previous year. Royal had originally recorded the song as a demo for his friend South but executives at Columbia Records heard the track and offered Royal a record deal. 'Down in the Boondocks' remains Royal's most successful single having reached number nine in Billboard's Hot 100.

By the late 1970s Royal's pop career was in decline although he was still a regular Las Vegas attraction and in the UK he was popular with Northern Soul audiences. His 1978 version of 'Under the Boardwalk' was to be his last foray in the pop charts; Royal then made a remarkable comeback in the mid 1980s as a mainstream country singer. His run of success in the Country Charts began with the 1984 single 'Burn Like a Rocket' and continued for the next ten years. Later in his career Royal toured regularly with material drawn from both his pop and his country music back catalogue.

Throughout his career Royal had also dabbled with acting roles, his last appearance being in the 2013 movie 'Billy the Kid' playing the character Robert Ally. The singer died in his sleep in 2015 aged 73.

Top tracks

08
Hush
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
02:29
Writer: Joe South / Composers: Joe South
05
Down in the Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal
The Best of Billy Joe Royal
02:33
Writer: Joe South / Composers: Joe South
08
Till I Can't Take It Anymore
Billy Joe Royal
Tell It Like It Is
03:55
Writer: Clyde Otis - Ulysses Burton / Composers: Ulysses Burton
01
Burned Like a Rocket
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
03:40
Writer: Gary Burr
10
Cherry Hill Park
Billy Joe Royal
The Best of Billy Joe Royal
03:00
Writer: Nix - Gilmore / Composers: Nix - Gilmore
03
I Knew You When
Billy Joe Royal
The Best of Billy Joe Royal
02:31
Writer: Joe South / Composers: Joe South
07
Down in the Boondocks (Re-Recorded)
Billy Joe Royal
Put the Top Down - Summer 60's
02:42
Composers: Joe South
06
Down in the Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal
Down in the Boondocks
02:33
Writer: Joe South / Composers: Joe South
11
Hush
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal Featuring "Hush"
02:38
Writer: Joe South / Composers: Joe South
06
I'll Pin a Note on Your Pillow
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
04:12
Writer: Carlos Berza - Carlos Berzas - Don Goodman - Nelson Larkin / Composers: Carlos Berza - Don Goodman - Nelson Larkin
08
Please Come to Boston
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe's Best
04:02
Writer: David Loggins
06
Love Has No Right
Billy Joe Royal
Tell It Like It Is
03:01
Writer: B.J. Royal - N. Larkin - R. Scruggs
05
I'll Pin a Note On Your Pillow
Billy Joe Royal
5 Top 10's
04:14
07
I Knew You When
Billy Joe Royal
Down in the Boondocks
02:34
Writer: Joe South / Composers: Joe South
09
She Don't Cry Like She Used To
Billy Joe Royal
The Royal Treatment
04:04
09
Out of Sight and on My Mind
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
03:51
Writer: Bruce Burch - Rick Peoples
02
Kiss and Say Goodbye
Billy Joe Royal
Tell It Like It Is
03:15
Writer: W. Lovett / Composers: Bobby Martin
01
Tell It Like It Is
Billy Joe Royal
Tell It Like It Is
02:56
Writer: George Davis - Lee Diamond
01
Down In The Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal
Down In The Boondocks & Other Favorites (Digitally Remastered)
02:35
06
This Magic Moment
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe's Best
02:44
Writer: Billy Joe Royal / Composers: Billy Joe Royal
12
Stand By Me
Billy Joe Royal
The Very Best of Billy Joe Royal
03:07
17
Hush
Billy Joe Royal
28 Golden Classics
02:27
10
It Keeps Right on Hurtin'
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
02:58
Writer: Johnny Tillotson
06
Cherry Hill Park
Billy Joe Royal
Cherry Hill Park
02:50
Writer: Robert Nix - Bill Gilmore / Composers: Robert Nix - Bill Gilmore
06
It's Who's in Your Heart
Billy Joe Royal
The Royal Treatment
03:04
03
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal Featuring "Hush"
02:24
Writer: J. South / Composers: J. South
12
Down in the Boondocks (Rerecorded)
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe's Best
02:33
Writer: Joe South
02
I Miss You Already
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
03:14
Writer: Faron Young - Marvin Rainwater
08
Mama Didn't Raise No Fool
Billy Joe Royal
Country After Dark
02:23
Writer: Joe South / Composers: Joe South
06
You Really Got A Hold On Me
Billy Joe Royal
20 Of His Best
03:02
Writer: Billy Joe Royal / Composers: Billy Joe Royal
05
I Knew You When
Billy Joe Royal
Pop Megahits Of The 1960's Volume 3
02:44
Composers: Joe South
04
Old Bridges Burn Slow
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
03:28
Writer: Jerry Meaders - Joe South - Sandy Brown - Sanford Brown - Shawn Meadows / Composers: Joe South - Sandy Brown - Shawn Meadows
05
Boardwalk Angel
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
03:34
Writer: John Cafferty
06
Drift Away
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
03:51
07
Montego Bay (Single Version)
Danny Johns
WCKR Presents: A Super '70s Summer Hits Weekend!
03:01
Writer: Danny Johns / Composers: Danny Johns
01
Spanish Harlem
Billy Joe Royal
King of Fools
03:00
Writer: Phillip Spector - Jerry Leiber / Composers: Phillip Spector - Jerry Leiber
01
Stand by Me
Billy Joe Royal
Chapel of Love
02:58
04
He Don't Know
Billy Joe Royal
Tell It Like It Is
02:49
Writer: R. Reynolds
10
Do You Love as Good as You Look
Billy Joe Royal
American Portraits: Billy Joe Royal
02:57
Composers: Charlie Black - Jerry Gillespie - Rory Bourke
01
Cracklin' Rosie
Billy Joe Royal
Cracklin' Rosie
03:01
13
To Love Somebody
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
04:32
07
Let Your Love Flow
Billy Joe Royal
20 Of His Best
02:34
Writer: Billy Joe Royal / Composers: Billy Joe Royal

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  • Discography
Albums
Greatest Hits
2026 Gusto Records, Inc.
14-04-2026
Greatest Hits
01
Cherry Hill Park
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
02:57
Composers: William E. Gilmore - Robert Nix
02
Down In The Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
02:38
Composers: Joe South
03
I Knew You When
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
02:46
Composers: Joe South
04
Bring It On Home
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
02:26
Composers: J. P. Page - R. A. Plant
05
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
02:46
Composers: Hank Williams - Hiriam Hank Williams
06
Your Cheatin' Heart
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
02:31
Composers: Hank Williams - Hiriam Hank Williams
07
Luckenback, Texas
Billy Joe Royal
Greatest Hits
03:31
Composers: C. Moman - B. Emmons
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Down in the Boondocks and Other Great Hits
2023 SPS Music
01-05-2023
Down in the Boondocks and Other Great Hits
01
Down in the Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal
Down in the Boondocks and Other Great Hits
02:43
Composers: Joe South
02
Cherry Hill Park
Billy Joe Royal
Down in the Boondocks and Other Great Hits
02:57
Composers: Billy Gilmore - Robert Lafayette Nix
03
I Knew When
Billy Joe Royal
Down in the Boondocks and Other Great Hits
02:39
Composers: Joe South
04
Hush
Billy Joe Royal
Down in the Boondocks and Other Great Hits
02:30
Composers: Joe South
05
I've Got to Be Somebody
Billy Joe Royal
Down in the Boondocks and Other Great Hits
03:10
Composers: Joe South
06
Please Come to Boston
Billy Joe Royal
Down in the Boondocks and Other Great Hits
04:00
Composers: David Allen Loggins
07
Hey Won't You Play (Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song)
Billy Joe Royal
Down in the Boondocks and Other Great Hits
03:21
Composers: Larry Lee Butler - Chips Moman
Access the complete album info (28 songs)
Sings the Great Soul Hits
2023 SPS Music
01-05-2023
Sings the Great Soul Hits
01
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)
Billy Joe Royal
Sings the Great Soul Hits
03:06
Composers: Edward J Holland Jr - Lamont Herbert Dozier - Brian Holland
02
This Magic Moment
Billy Joe Royal
Sings the Great Soul Hits
02:50
Composers: Doc Pomus - Mort Shuman
03
You've Really Got a Hold on Me
Billy Joe Royal
Sings the Great Soul Hits
03:08
Composers: Smokey Robinson
04
My Girl
Billy Joe Royal
Sings the Great Soul Hits
03:03
Composers: Smokey Robinson - Ronald White
05
Up on the Roof
Billy Joe Royal
Sings the Great Soul Hits
02:31
Composers: Gerald Goffin - Carole King
06
On Broadway
Billy Joe Royal
Sings the Great Soul Hits
02:50
Composers: Jerry Leiber - Mike Stoller - Barry Mann - Cynthia Weil
07
Drift Away
Billy Joe Royal
Sings the Great Soul Hits
03:58
Composers: Mentor R Williams
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
King of Fools
1965 MTI
08-04-2022
King of Fools
01
Spanish Harlem
Billy Joe Royal
King of Fools
03:00
Writer: Phillip Spector - Jerry Leiber / Composers: Phillip Spector - Jerry Leiber
02
Save the Last Dance for Me
Billy Joe Royal
King of Fools
02:28
Writer: Joe South / Composers: D. Pomus - M. Shuman
03
Yo-Yo
Billy Joe Royal
King of Fools
02:56
Writer: Joe South / Composers: Joe South
04
Campfire Girls
Billy Joe Royal
King of Fools
02:10
Writer: Joe South / Composers: F. Weller
05
Cherry Hill Park
Billy Joe Royal
King of Fools
02:47
Writer: Buddy Buie / Composers: B. Gilmore - R. Nix
06
Down in the Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal
King of Fools
02:34
Writer: Joe South / Composers: Joe South
07
I Knew You When
Billy Joe Royal
King of Fools
02:30
Writer: Joe South / Composers: Joe South
Access the complete album info (24 songs)
Drift Away
(P) 2021 Maestro Entertainment Corp
06-02-2021
Drift Away
01
Down in the Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:37
Composers: Joe South
02
Drift Away
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
03:43
Composers: Mentor Williams
03
Stand by Me
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:58
Composers: King - Leiber - Stoller
04
On Broadway
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:53
Composers: Weil - Mann - Leiber - Stoller
05
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:49
Composers: Bacharach - H. David
06
Spanish Harlem
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:55
Composers: J. Leiber
07
Nobody but You
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:42
Composers: Unknown
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
American Portraits: Billy Joe Royal
â„— 2020 Countdown Media GmbH, a BMG company
26-06-2020
American Portraits: Billy Joe Royal
01
Love on the Rocks
Billy Joe Royal
American Portraits: Billy Joe Royal
03:39
Writer: Neil Diamond - Gilbert Bécaud / Composers: Neil Diamond - Gilbert Bécaud
02
I Love a Rainy Night
Billy Joe Royal
American Portraits: Billy Joe Royal
02:47
Writer: David Malloy - Eddie Rabbitt - Even Stevens / Composers: David Malloy - Eddie Rabbitt - Even Stevens
03
Crying (Vocal Version)
Billy Joe Royal
American Portraits: Billy Joe Royal
03:33
Writer: Roy Orbison - Joe Melson / Composers: Roy Orbison - Joe Melson
04
Cracklin' Rosie
Billy Joe Royal
American Portraits: Billy Joe Royal
03:01
Writer: Neil Diamond / Composers: Neil Diamond
05
Good Ol' Boys
Billy Joe Royal
American Portraits: Billy Joe Royal
02:16
Writer: Waylon Jennings / Composers: Waylon Jennings
06
The Old Songs
Billy Joe Royal
American Portraits: Billy Joe Royal
04:33
Writer: Buddy Kaye - D. Pomeranz / Composers: Buddy Kaye - D. Pomeranz
07
Wake Up Little Susie
Billy Joe Royal
American Portraits: Billy Joe Royal
02:16
Writer: Boudleaux Bryant - Felice Bryant / Composers: Boudleaux Bryant - Felice Bryant
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
20 Country & Gospel Best
2019 Gusto Records, Inc.
27-05-2020
20 Country & Gospel Best
01
Rock Of Ages Rock Me Again
Billy Joe Royal
20 Country & Gospel Best
03:28
Composers: Charlie Craig - Moe Lytle
02
God Please Send Your Angels
Billy Joe Royal
20 Country & Gospel Best
03:21
Composers: Erin Fitzgibbon
03
Hallelujah Ground
Billy Joe Royal
20 Country & Gospel Best
04:11
Composers: Charlie Craig - Moe Lytle
04
Since Jesus Came Into My Life
Billy Joe Royal
20 Country & Gospel Best
02:47
Composers: Charlie Craig - Kyle Smith - Moe Lytle
05
Water The Flowers
Billy Joe Royal
20 Country & Gospel Best
03:34
Composers: Charlie Craig - Moe Lytle
06
Singing All The Way To Heaven
Billy Joe Royal
20 Country & Gospel Best
03:16
Composers: Charlie Craig - Derik Shumacher
07
Frog For The Water
Billy Joe Royal
20 Country & Gospel Best
03:40
Composers: Charlie Craig - Paul Bogart
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
22 Super Hits
2019 A.IM Media
14-01-2019
22 Super Hits
01
Baby, I'm Thinking Of You
Billy Joe Royal
22 Super Hits
02:25
02
Never In A Hundred Years
Billy Joe Royal
22 Super Hits
02:21
03
We Tried
Billy Joe Royal
22 Super Hits
02:22
04
Wait For Me Baby
Billy Joe Royal
22 Super Hits
02:04
05
Nobody Loves You But Me
Billy Joe Royal
22 Super Hits
03:05
06
Get Behind Me Devil
Billy Joe Royal
22 Super Hits
02:27
07
Movies In My Mind
Billy Joe Royal
22 Super Hits
02:25
Access the complete album info (22 songs)
Cracklin' Rosie
22-07-2015
Cracklin' Rosie
01
Cracklin' Rosie
Billy Joe Royal
Cracklin' Rosie
03:01
02
Crying
Billy Joe Royal
Cracklin' Rosie
03:33
03
Do You Love as Good as You Look
Billy Joe Royal
Cracklin' Rosie
02:57
04
Good Ol' Boys
Billy Joe Royal
Cracklin' Rosie
02:16
05
I Love a Rainy Night
Billy Joe Royal
Cracklin' Rosie
02:47
06
Love on the Rocks
Billy Joe Royal
Cracklin' Rosie
03:39
07
Oh No
Billy Joe Royal
Cracklin' Rosie
02:50
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Billy Joe Royal: Studio 102 Essentials
2008 Suite 102
22-07-2015
Billy Joe Royal: Studio 102 Essentials
01
Cracklin' Rosie
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal: Studio 102 Essentials
03:01
02
Crying
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal: Studio 102 Essentials
03:33
03
Do You Love As Good As You Look
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal: Studio 102 Essentials
02:57
04
Good Ol' Boys
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal: Studio 102 Essentials
02:16
05
I Love A Rainy Night
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal: Studio 102 Essentials
02:47
06
Love On The Rocks
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal: Studio 102 Essentials
03:39
07
Oh No
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal: Studio 102 Essentials
02:50
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Cherry Hill Park
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
29-05-2015
Cherry Hill Park
01
You Can't Manufacture Love
Billy Joe Royal
Cherry Hill Park
02:30
Writer: B. Dees - M. Mathis / Composers: B. Dees - M. Mathis
02
Mama Song
Billy Joe Royal
Cherry Hill Park
02:53
Writer: Buddy Buie - James Cobb / Composers: Buddy Buie - James Cobb
03
Helping Hand
Billy Joe Royal
Cherry Hill Park
02:36
Writer: Buddy Buie - James Cobb / Composers: Buddy Buie - James Cobb
04
Ain't It the Truth
Billy Joe Royal
Cherry Hill Park
03:21
Writer: Buddy Buie - James Cobb / Composers: Buddy Buie - James Cobb
05
Down Home Lovin'
Billy Joe Royal
Cherry Hill Park
02:27
Writer: Robert Nix - Bill Gilmore / Composers: Robert Nix - Bill Gilmore
06
Cherry Hill Park
Billy Joe Royal
Cherry Hill Park
02:50
Writer: Robert Nix - Bill Gilmore / Composers: Robert Nix - Bill Gilmore
07
Burning a Hole
Billy Joe Royal
Cherry Hill Park
02:51
Writer: Buddy Buie - James Cobb / Composers: Buddy Buie - James Cobb
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Drift Away
02-03-2015
Drift Away
01
Rose Garden
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:22
02
Tulsa
Biliy Joe Royal
Drift Away
03:21
03
Campfire Girls
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:09
04
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:44
05
Lavender Blue
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:24
06
Drift Away
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
03:51
07
Nobody but You
Billy Joe Royal
Drift Away
02:35
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
Billy Joe Royal Greatest Hits
Lionfish Music
14-10-2014
Billy Joe Royal Greatest Hits
01
Another Saturday Night
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal Greatest Hits
02:31
Composers: S. Cooke
02
Campfire Girls
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal Greatest Hits
02:18
Composers: F. Weller
03
Cherry Hill Park
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal Greatest Hits
02:54
Composers: W. E. GILMORE - R. NIX
04
Down in the Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal Greatest Hits
02:42
Composers: J. South
05
Drift Away
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal Greatest Hits
03:57
Composers: M. R. WILLIAMS
06
Hey Won't You Play
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal Greatest Hits
03:22
Composers: L. L. Butler - C. Moman
07
How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal Greatest Hits
03:06
Composers: H. Dozier - B. Holland - E. Holland
Access the complete album info (28 songs)
Country Masters: Billy Joe Royal
Lionfish Music Group, Inc.
08-07-2014
Country Masters: Billy Joe Royal
01
Another Saturday Night
Billy Joe Royal
Country Masters: Billy Joe Royal
02:31
Composers: S. Cooke
02
Campfire Girls
Billy Joe Royal
Country Masters: Billy Joe Royal
02:18
Composers: F. Weller
03
Cherry Hill Park
Billy Joe Royal
Country Masters: Billy Joe Royal
02:54
Composers: W. E. GILMORE - R. NIX
04
Down in the Boondocks
Billy Joe Royal
Country Masters: Billy Joe Royal
02:42
Composers: J. South
05
Drift Away
Billy Joe Royal
Country Masters: Billy Joe Royal
03:57
Composers: M. R. WILLIAMS
06
Hey Won't You Play
Billy Joe Royal
Country Masters: Billy Joe Royal
03:22
Composers: L. L. Butler - C. Moman
07
How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You
Billy Joe Royal
Country Masters: Billy Joe Royal
03:06
Composers: H. Dozier - B. Holland - E. Holland
Access the complete album info (28 songs)
Bamboo Ranch
11-07-2013
Bamboo Ranch
01
Love on the Rocks
Billy Joe Royal
Bamboo Ranch
03:39
02
Yesterday's Songs
Billy Joe Royal
Bamboo Ranch
02:45
03
Crying
Billy Joe Royal
Bamboo Ranch
03:33
04
Oh No
Billy Joe Royal
Bamboo Ranch
02:50
05
Cracklin' Rosie
Billy Joe Royal
Bamboo Ranch
03:01
06
Do You Love as Good as You Look
Billy Joe Royal
Bamboo Ranch
02:57
07
I Love a Rainy Night
Billy Joe Royal
Bamboo Ranch
02:47
Access the complete album info (10 songs)