Gloomy Sunday
Billie Holiday
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Sunday is gloomy My hours are slumberless Dearest the shadows I live with are numberless Little white flowers Will never awaken you Not where the black coach Of sorrow has taken you Angels have no thoughts Of ever returning you Would they be angry If I thought of joining you Gloomy Sunday Gloomy is Sunday With shadows I spend it all My heart and I Have decided to end it all Soon there'll be candles And prayers that are said I know Let them not weep Let them know that I'm glad to go Death is no dream For in death I'm caressin' you With the last breath of my soul I'll be blessin' you Gloomy Sunday Dreaming, I was only dreaming I wake and I find you asleep In the deep of my heart here Darling I hope That my dream never haunted you My heart is tellin' you How much I wanted you Gloomy Sunday
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Written by: Laszlo Javor, Rezso Seress, Sam M. Lewis
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Historical Significance"Gloomy Sunday" by Billie Holiday, also known as the "Hungarian Suicide Song," was initially written in 1933 by Hungarian pianist and composer Rezső Seress.
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Lyric ContributionWhile Seress composed the music, the lyrics were penned by László Jávor, a Hungarian poet. The Billie Holiday version, however, contains English lyrics by Sam M. Lewis.
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Cover VersionBillie Holiday's rendition of "Gloomy Sunday" is arguably the most famous version of the song, although it is a cover. She recorded it in 1941.
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Controversial FameThe song gained infamy because it was supposedly linked to a spate of suicides during its peak popularity in Hungary and the United States.
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BBC BanAs a result of its rumored association with inciting suicides, the BBC banned "Gloomy Sunday" from being played on its channels until 2002.
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Track Theme"Gloomy Sunday" has a somber tone and expresses the despair and sadness of a lover mourning the death of his or her beloved.
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Pop Culture ReferenceThe infamous reputation of the song has made it a frequent reference in pop culture. It was mentioned in the songs "Gloomy Sunday" by McFly and "SOS" by Rihanna.
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Movie InspirationThe song didn't just stir controversy, but it also inspired filmmaking. In 1999 a German-Hungarian film, "Gloomy Sunday - Ein Lied von Liebe und Tod (A Song of Love and Death)," was made, depicting a love triangle story against the background of the song's creation.
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Composer TragedyCoincidentally, composer Rezső Seress faced a tragic end himself, similarly to the unfortunate fame of his composition, when he committed suicide in 1968.
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Unique Jazz StyleEven within her discography, "Gloomy Sunday" stands out as a unique piece due to Billie Holiday's emotive and haunting interpretation, showcasing her unique jazz vocal style.
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LegacyDespite the tragic lore surrounding it, "Gloomy Sunday" remains an iconic recording in the jazz genre, further cementing Billie Holiday's status as a legendary jazz artist.
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"Gloomy Sunday Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/1093514/Billie+Holiday/Gloomy+Sunday>.
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