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What is the meaning behind Strange Fruit?
One of Billie Holiday’s most iconic songs is “Strange Fruit,” a haunting protest against the inhumanity of racism. Many people know that the man who wrote the song was inspired by a photograph of a lynching. But they might not realize that he’s also tied to another watershed moment in America’s history.
Why was the song Strange Fruit banned from the radio?
“Strange Fruit” has been called the original protest song. In early 1939, Billie Holiday was performing in the newly-opened nightclub Café Society in lower Manhattan. Performance of the song was banned in some US cities for fear of provoking civil unrest. It was blocked From U.S. Radio stations.
What was Strange Fruit inspired by?
Meeropol first published “Strange Fruit” as a poem titled “Bitter Fruit” in 1937, inspired in part by a harrowing photograph of a 1930 lynching in Marion, Indiana. His wife later set the poem to music, which was performed at union rallies and eventually Madison Square Garden by Black vocalist Laura Duncan.
What genre is Strange Fruit?
Jazz
Strange Fruit/Genres
Is Strange Fruit blues or jazz?
“Strange Fruit” is a song written and composed by Abel Meeropol and recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939….Strange Fruit.
| “Strange Fruit” | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Blues, jazz |
| Length | 3:02 |
| Label | Commodore |
| Songwriter(s) | Abel Meeropol |
When did Billie Holiday sing Strange Fruit?
1939
Holiday went on to record “Strange Fruit” with the Commodore Records jazz label on April 20, 1939. The song helped raise Holiday to national prominence—at just age 23. Not all audiences appreciated Holiday’s performance of the song. Among them was the director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, Harry Anslinger.
Is the US vs Billie Holiday a true story?
Hulu’s Oscar-nominated The United States vs. Billie Holiday is a fictionalized take on the life of the legendary jazz singer, played in the film by “Rise Up” singer and (now Academy Award nominated) actress Andra Day in a Golden Globe-nominated performance.
Why was the song Strange Fruit so controversial?
To great controversy, Lady Day introduced the world to the racially charged protest song “Strange Fruit.” In the end, some believe it killed her. To great controversy, Lady Day introduced the world to the racially charged protest song “Strange Fruit.” In the end, some believe it killed her.
Who is singing Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday?
Andra Day also recorded the song for her award-winning acting debut in the 2021 Billie Holiday biopic The United States vs. Billie Holiday, and it was included in the film’s soundtrack album.
“Strange Fruit” was originated as a poem written by Jewish-American writer, teacher and songwriter Abel Meeropol, under his pseudonym Lewis Allan, as a protest against lynchings.
Who are the artists that have covered Strange Fruit?
The song continues to be covered by numerous artists, including Nina Simone, UB40, Jeff Buckley, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Robert Wyatt and Dee Dee Bridgewater and has inspired novels, other poems, and other creative works.