Lyric discussion by TheAwkwardSwan 

Cover art for Lady lyrics by Regina Spektor

Definitely Billie Holiday.

  • "Lady" was a nickname people used for Holiday; she also released an album entitled "Lady Sings the Blues."
  • "Corner street societies" can be used to refer to prostitution; Holiday worked as a prostitute for a short while in 1930.
  • Though she was childless, her mother had her when she was thirteen and was thrown out of her parents' house; this might account for th references to a "baby."
  • "No Regrets," and "Strange Fruit" are both referenced, as above posters have noted.
  • Holiday's drug abuse, drinking, abusive relationships, and likely smoking caused her health to deteriorate, and she died young, age 44.
  • The only truly happy part of her life was the time spent on stage.

Great song.