What makes Lady Sings the Blues by Billie Holiday notable?

This album is notable for its raw emotional depth and has been credited with influencing generations of vocalists across jazz and beyond. The inclusion of 'Strange Fruit,' a haunting protest song about racism, solidified its cultural significance, marking it as one of Holiday's most powerful statements. By the time 'Lady Sings the Blues' was released in 1956, Billie Holiday was a revered figure in jazz, having established her legacy through a series of influential recordings since the 1930s. This album emerged during a period when she was battling personal struggles, yet continued to captivate audiences with her unique interpretative style.

Who is Lady Sings the Blues for?

Lady Sings the Blues works well if you're into steady emotional exploration, poignant reflective moments and intimate late-night listening.

How many songs are on Lady Sings the Blues?

Lady Sings the Blues has 15 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Released 70 years ago

Lady Sings the Blues

Billie Holiday · 1956

48 min · 15 tracks · blues · jazz · swing

A poignant blend of sorrow and resilience, showcasing Holiday's emotive vocal delivery against lush, jazz-infused arrangements.

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Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady emotional exploration
poignant reflective moments
intimate late-night listening
subtle, nuanced vocal delivery

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'Lady Sings the Blues' was released in 1956, Billie Holiday was a revered figure in jazz, having established her legacy through a series of influential recordings since the 1930s. This album emerged during a period when she was battling personal struggles, yet continued to captivate audiences with her unique interpretative style.
Stylistic neighbors: Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan· Nina Simone

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Lady Sings the Blues 3:47
2 Trav’lin’ Light 3:11
3 I Must Have That Man 3:07
4 Some Other Spring 3:40
5 Strange Fruit 3:06
6 No Good Man 3:21
7 God Bless the Child 4:01
8 Good Morning Heartache 3:31
9 Love Me or Leave Me 2:38
10 Too Marvelous for Words 2:15
11 Willow Weep for Me 3:10
12 I Thought About You 2:49
13 P.S. I Love You 3:39
14 Softly 2:58
15 Stormy Blues 3:28

What to play next

Listen next

Velvet Mood

1956

Go back to

The Lady Sings

1956

Full Billie Holiday discography Artists like Billie Holiday

blues jazz swing

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata