Billie's Blues

Billie Holiday

About Billie's Blues

"Billie's Blues" is a blues song written by jazz singer Billie Holiday, composing it just before being recorded in a session in 1936. According to the article in Melody Maker, 1 August 1936: "Billie Holiday has her first solo recording at Brunswick last week... Bernie Hanighen,...suggested making a blues, so the blues it was". This blues was Billie's Blues.


Year:
1997
108 
#2

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

I love my man
I'm a liar if I say I don't
I love my man
I'm a liar if I say I don't
But I'll quit my man
I'm a liar if I say I won't

I've been your slave, baby
Ever since I've been your babe
I've been your slave
Ever since I've been your babe
But before I'll be your dog
I'll see you in your grave

My man wouldn't give me no breakfast
Wouldn't give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn't have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain't good looking
And my hair ain't curled
I ain't good looking
And my hair ain't curled
But my mother, she gave me something
It's going to carry me through this world

Some men like me 'cause I'm happy
Some 'cause I'm snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I've got money

Some say me Billie
Baby, you're built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Harris April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. more »

6 fans

Written by: BILLIE HOLIDAY

Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Billie's Blues" was first recorded by Billie Holiday in 1936. It's one of the few songs that she wrote herself.
Improvisation Element
Holiday supposedly made up "Billie's Blues" on the spot during a recording session because she needed a B-side for her single "The Way You Look Tonight."
Inclusion in Hall of Fame
In 2001, the track was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in the ‘Traditional Pop’ category.
Stylistic Unique Features
The song showcases Billie Holiday's signature blues style, mixing complex vocal phrasing with emotional depth.
Biographical Details
Some have suggested that "Billie's Blues" reflects Holiday's own hard life. Born into poverty, she faced a range of social and personal issues.
Multiple Recordings
Holiday recorded several versions of "Billie's Blues" over her career. It became a standard part of her live performances.
Genre Shift
Despite being known primarily as a jazz vocalist, "Billie's Blues" demonstrates Holiday's capacity to handle the blues with equal mastery.
Influence
The song has been covered and performed by various artists over the years, reinforcing Billie Holiday's lasting impact on popular music.
Contrast to Majority Work
Even though Billie Holiday is distinguished for her work as an interpretive artist, "Billie's Blues" stands out as a piece of her own composition.
Album Inclusion
"Billie's Blues" is included in several Billie Holiday compilation albums, such as "The Essential Billie Holiday: Carnegie Hall Concert Recorded Live" and "Lady Day: The Best of Billie Holiday."

Discuss the Billie's Blues Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Billie's Blues Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2081433/Billie+Holiday/Billie%27s+Blues>.

    Missing lyrics by Billie Holiday?

    Know any other songs by Billie Holiday? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Billie's Blues

    175.9K
    758     30

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Pour some ___________".
    A Salt in it
    B Shook up ramen
    C Sugar on me
    D For the homies

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Billie Holiday tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!