Vocalist's First Reaction to Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit (Live 1959)

Comments · 348

• 3S

  @3ScotsInk · 1 year ago

  I wish more reactors had the courage, the wisdom, and the heart to listen to this. Thank you Charlie.

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• BE

  @BetsyEimers · 1 year ago

  The clip is from 1959, but the song came out 1939. Such a brave woman!

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• RI

  @ridgemanron · 1 year ago

  Even though it was banned throughout radio stations in the South, the record sold over a million copies.

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• 19

  @1971emcee · 12 days ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GueQf0Ie7eM&amp;t=144">2:24</a> Yep. This song is one of the most powerful songs ever.

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• VI

  @vickeycodella7828 · 1 year ago

  Once you hear this, you will never, ever forget it.

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• KA

  @katherinebosse5706 · 1 year ago

  Billie was black-listed for just singing this song. She was<br>told not to perform it and when she did anyway, they<br>stopped her performances at other venues. She was so<br>BRAVE and so lovely. My Lady Day. ❤

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• DO

  @Dornie51 · 1 year ago (edited)

  My mum was a jazz singer and I remember her playing this song when I was young. &nbsp;This song is based on a poem about lynching and is very haunting. &nbsp;I&apos;ve heard it quite a few times before but this time it made me emotional. &nbsp;The US government terrorised Billie over her performances of the song forbidding her from singing it - she wouldn&apos;t - right up until her death. &nbsp;Billie died young at 44, on 17 July 1959, with 70 cents in the bank. &nbsp;A tragic and very sad end for an amazing singer 💖 The movie &apos;Lady Sings the Blues&apos; with Diana Ross from 1972 depicts the life of Billie Holiday.

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• DA

  @DavidPChristian2 · 1 year ago

  Written as a poem by a New York public school teacher and published in his union&apos;s newsletter. He was a jazz fan, knew Billie from the clubs and gave it to her.

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• MA

  @Mammaluigi1 · 7 months ago

  Tears flowing out my eyes. I know what this song is about 😢😭

  50

• JA

  @jasonbroad5478 · 1 year ago (edited)

  Hey Charlie, &nbsp;it was forbidden for Ms. Holiday to sing this song. &nbsp;A man named Harry Anslinger who ran the FBN (Federal Bureau of Narcotics) and a known racist tried to stop her. &nbsp;Eventually her Cabaret license was taken away and thus her career. &nbsp;This time was still the height of racism in America and Rosa Parks had refused to give up her seat on a bus only 4 years before. &nbsp;This song/performance was another stake in the heart of the rampant racism in the US. &nbsp;The 60&apos;s would be the &nbsp;ramp up of the Civil Rights cause. &nbsp; Brilliant performance of a tragic theme.

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• MO

  @monique_peace71 · 1 year ago

  This song is so eerie, sad and unfortunately comes from a real place. She delivered it perfectly. Her voice is beautiful and unique.❤️

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• JO

  @Joshsclips · 1 year ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GueQf0Ie7eM&amp;t=290">4:50</a> it&apos;s not your fault you&apos;ve never heard this before, it&apos;s by design that many people haven&apos;t heard this, unfortunately... tragic and painful song. You can feel the emotion in the vocal performance and see it in her eyes.

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