A song about two young (possibly teenage) bandits and the detective pursuing them, it was one of the many hit singles produced by the Steve Miller Band in the 1970s and featured on the 1976 album Fly Like an Eagle.

Miller drew inspiration from his childhood, when he listened to the radio while on long road trips with his family, and he would sing along to his favorite songs.

Billy Joe robs a house in El Paso and shoots its owner, while Bobbie Sue escapes with the proceeds of the robbery.

They reunite the next day and flee south through Texas, pursued by Billy Mack, a police detective intent on arresting them.

Cash Box said that the song gets off to a "fine start" with "spirited drums" and has "intelligent" lyrics and music that is "just as good, maybe better, than "Space Cowboy.