Lady Sings the Blues – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack cover

Lady Sings the Blues – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Diana Ross · 1972

70 min · 35 tracks · jazz · R&B · soul

A lush tribute to Billie Holiday, blending jazz standards with cinematic orchestration and Diana Ross's emotive vocals.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • lush orchestration for intimate moments
  • emotive vocals for reflective listening
  • varied tempo for dynamic engagement
  • cathartic ballads with deep emotion
  • cinematic vibe for storytelling

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer fast-paced, upbeat tracks
  • seek standalone hits over albums

Where this album fits

Themes
racial injustice· Billie Holiday's legacy· 1970s emotional depth
Career context
In 1972, Diana Ross was transitioning from her successful tenure with The Supremes towards a solo career. This soundtrack for the film 'Lady Sings the Blues' marked her first major role in a feature film, establishing her as a significant solo artist and actress.
Stylistic neighbors
Chaka Khan· Donna Summer· Anita Baker
Sounds like this from elsewhere
I Put a Spell on You by Nina Simone — Both showcase deep emotional expression and jazz roots, highlighting themes of love and pain.
Lady in Satin by Billie Holiday — Shares the same lush orchestration and poignant storytelling reflecting personal struggles.
Young, Gifted and Black by Aretha Franklin — Features powerful vocals and addresses social themes, blending soul with rich instrumental backdrops.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 The Arrest 0:15
  • 2 Lady Sings the Blues 1:03
  • 3 Baltimore Brothel 0:25
  • 4 Billie Sneaks Into Dean & Dean’s / Swingin’ Uptown 0:53
  • 5 T’ain’t Nobody’s Bizness If I Do 1:05
  • 6 Big Ben / C. C. Rider 2:32
  • 7 All of Me 2:19
  • 8 The Man I Love 2:26
  • 9 Them There Eyes 1:04
  • 10 Gardenias From Louis 2:03
  • 11 Cafe Manhattan / Had You Been Around / Love Theme 3:33
  • 12 Any Happy Home 0:37
  • 13 I Cried for You (Now It’s Your Turn to Cry Over Me) 0:38
  • 14 Billie & Harry / Don’t Explain 2:12
  • 15 Mean to Me 1:18
  • 16 Fine and Mellow 0:46
  • 17 What a Little Moonlight Can Do 2:10
  • 18 Louis Visits Billie on Tour / Love Theme 3:47
  • 19 Cafe Manhattan Party 1:37
  • 20 Persuasion / T’ain’t Nobodys Bizness If I Do 3:06
  • 21 Agent’s Office 1:08
  • 22 Love Is Here to Stay 2:00
  • 23 Fine and Mellow 2:55
  • 24 Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) 3:22
  • 25 You’ve Changed 2:34
  • 26 Gimme a Pigfoot (and a Bottle of Beer) 2:06
  • 27 Good Morning Heartache 2:21
  • 28 All of Me 2:04
  • 29 Love Theme 2:52
  • 30 My Man (Mon homme) 3:26
  • 31 Don’t Explain 2:10
  • 32 I Cried for You (Now It’s Your Turn to Cry Over Me) 2:12
  • 33 Strange Fruit 3:35
  • 34 God Bless the Child 2:42
  • 35 Closing Theme 1:08

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata