Strange Fruit

This was one of the first songs that protested or even dealt with racism in america. Its about the lynchings in the south. I think that was extremely brave of her given racism was still very much apart of the world. One of the reasons she's my hero

I have enough reseach on this song to write a short volume. It was wrote by a white man who wanted to give it to Billie but did not want to offend her. He finally did muster up the courage & the rest is history.

Cra4ford, I think your history teacher might have been mistaking. My understanding is Billie did NOT "hate it" she was truly thankful for the song. But it took a lot out of her and you are correct "she cried afterwards". Yes she did. I have read many articles that she cried a lot after singing it (I cry just hearing it).

Q Magazine, named "Strange Fruit" one of 10 songs that actually changed the world.

Sly

I guess I am beleaguering a topic that was already beautifully addressed by SLYcrafts but this is such an important song and Billie Holiday's strength and bravery are greatly misrepresented when a History teacher claims that she did not want to do it and was pressured into doing it. The opposite happened. People were trying to prevent her. Her own label refused to record it Some clubs would not allow her to sing it. There were a few times when people in the audience physically attacked her. So it was through her own indomitable will that the song ever came out for us to hear it

This article briefly describes the history of Strange Fruit You'll understand why Billie Holiday cried after singing it:

http://www.ladyday.net/stuf/vfsept98.html

i'm not usually affected by songs, but this one affected me. i'm not even american... when she sings: "Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze", you can't help but picturing the scene. this song really hurts.

The song began as a poem written by a jewish school teacher Abel Meeropol. Inspired by a photograph of the lynching of Thomas Shipp and Abraham Smith. He put it to music himself because no one else had the "balls" to do it at the time...Billie of course had the "balls" to perform it, even when she was forbidden to do it..........The song of course is heart breaking and inspires so many different feelings depending on the race and/or experiences of the listener. God, I love Billie Holiday and the paradox of strength and weakness she represented in both her personal and professional life. Rest in peace honey..

I first heard this song 3 days ago, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since then. I saw the photograph of Thomas Shipp and Abraham Smith that inspired the lyrics, and it gave me chills. Why haven't I ever heard of this until now, as an 18 yr old who found it by chance? I think every person who goes through high school should be exposed to this poem. It can alter and has altered lives and history. It has helped me to put things into perspective, and I know that anytime I want a reality check, all I have to do is think of these lyrics. It's just so incredible and terrible at the same time. Brilliant.

It's a sad, sad reality.

Wanna see her singing Strange Fruit?

http://www.youtube.com/w/strange-fruit-billie-holiday?v=yIf2lRCBzH0&search=billie%20holiday

A true blues song. Even today, it can still affect people...even people like me, who have hardly had to deal with racism.

Beltane, racism is still very much a part of the world.