When was “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday released? This poignant and powerful song, written by Abel Meeropol and performed by Billie Holiday, was first released on September 20, 1939. The song is a haunting ballad that addresses the brutal reality of racial violence and lynchings in the United States during the early 20th century. It serves as a stark reminder of the country’s dark history and the struggle for civil rights.
The creation of “Strange Fruit” was inspired by the photograph of a lynching that Meeropol saw in a newspaper. The image depicted the bodies of two black men hanging from a tree, their faces and bodies covered in blood. Meeropol, a Jewish teacher and songwriter, was deeply moved by the image and decided to write a song to convey the horror and injustice of racial violence.
Holiday, an African American jazz singer, was approached by Meeropol to record the song. At first, she was hesitant, as she was not known for her political songs and feared the backlash she might face. However, after listening to the song, she agreed to record it, and her rendition of “Strange Fruit” became an instant classic.
The song’s lyrics are haunting and vivid, painting a picture of the victims of lynching and the indifference of the onlookers. The line “blood on the leaves and blood at the roots, / black bodies swinging in the Southern breeze” has become one of the most famous and poignant lines in American music history.
When “Strange Fruit” was released, it was not an immediate commercial success. However, it soon gained popularity among jazz enthusiasts and civil rights activists. Holiday’s rendition of the song became a powerful tool for social change, inspiring countless protests and raising awareness about the need for racial equality.
Over the years, “Strange Fruit” has been recognized as one of the most significant songs in American music history. It has been covered by numerous artists, including artists like Nina Simone, who performed her own rendition of the song, further cementing its place in the annals of civil rights and music.
In conclusion, “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday was released on September 20, 1939, and it has since become an enduring symbol of the struggle for racial equality in the United States. The song’s haunting lyrics and Holiday’s powerful performance have made it a timeless piece of art that continues to resonate with audiences today.
