Billie Holiday had a difficult childhood. Much information once not considered true was confirmed in the book Billie Holiday by Stuart Nicholson in 1995. Holiday's autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues, which was first published in 1956, is sketchy when it comes to details about her early life, but has been confirmed by the Nicholson research.
Her professional pseudonym was taken from Billie Dove, an actress she admired, and Clarence Holiday, her probable father. At the outset of her career, she spelled her last name Halliday, which was the birth-surname of her father, but eventually changed it to Holiday, his performing name.
Her distinct delivery made Billie Holiday's performances instantly recognizable throughout her career. A master of improvisation, Billie's well-trained ear more than compensated for her lack of music education performance really was.
In 1972, Diana Ross portrayed Holiday in the film Lady Sings the Blues, which is loosely based on the 1956 autobiography of the same name. The film earned Ross a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She also has been portrayed by Ernestine Jackson in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill and by Paula Jai Parker in a Season 7 episode of Touched by an Angel entitled "God Bless the Child," the title deriving from a song that she had written and sung.
In 1987, Billie Holiday was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1993, R&B singer Miki Howard released an album dedicated to Holiday titled Miki Sings Billie: A Tribute To Billie Holiday. The United States Postal Service introduced a Billie Holiday postage stamp in 1994, she ranked #6 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Rock n' Roll in 1999, and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Over the years, there have been many tributes to Billie Holiday, including "The Day Lady Died," a 1959 poem by Frank O'Hara, and "Angel of Harlem," a 1988 release by the group U2. A 1953 Holiday concert in New York is a key feature of the 2009 Arthur Phillips novel The Song is You.
On May 31, 1959, Holiday was taken to Metropolitan Hospital in New York suffering from liver and heart disease. Police officers were stationed at the door to her room. She was arrested for drug possession as she lay dying, and her hospital room was raided by authorities. Holiday remained under police guard at the hospital until she died from cirrhosis of the liver (the result of several years of substance abuse) on July 17, 1959. In the final years of her life, she had been progressively swindled out of her earnings, and she died with $0.70 in the bank and $750 (a tabloid fee) on her person. Her funeral mass was held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in New York City.
Critic John Bush wrote that she "changed the art of American pop vocals forever."She co-wrote only a few songs, but several of them have become jazz standards, notably "God Bless the Child," "Don't Explain," "Fine and Mellow," and "Lady Sings the Blues." She also became famous for singing jazz standards including "Easy Living," "Good Morning Heartache," and "Strange Fruit."
I'm All For You
Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra Lyrics
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If I'm wrong I'll be the one to pay
No matter if it's true
You'll find that I'm all for you
Let the cards predict we'll drift apart
And the stars forfeit of broken heart
No matter it they do
I only know come what may
You'll always find me by your side
I may be a fool
Time alone will decide
Let them all say that it's just a game
And I'm sure to lose
But just the same no matter if I do
You'll find that I'm all for you
The lyrics to the song "I'm All For You" by Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra express a profound level of dedication and commitment. The singer declares their unwavering loyalty to their significant other, despite negative predictions from naysayers. The lyrics "let our friends say what they want to say" and "let them all say it's just a game" demonstrate the singer's disregard for the opinions of others, as they remain certain of their love. The singer acknowledges that time may reveal whether they are a fool or not, but maintains their conviction nonetheless.
The song explores the theme of unconditional love, where the singer commits to standing by their loved one regardless of the circumstances. The lyrics allude to the idea that love is not always rational, as the singer acknowledges that they may be labeled a fool, but they will continue to offer support to their partner. The idea of loyalty above all else is the hallmark of the song, giving it an emotional resonance that listeners can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Let our friends say what they want to say
I don't care what our friends have to say about us and our relationship. Let them talk, it won't bother me.
If I'm wrong I'll be the one to pay
Even if I am in the wrong, I will take responsibility for my actions and face the consequences.
No matter if it's true
Even if there is some truth to what others are saying about us, it won't change my feelings for you.
You'll find that I'm all for you
I am completely devoted and committed to you, nothing will change that.
Let the cards predict we'll drift apart
Even if fate or external circumstances suggest that we may grow apart, I am confident that we won't.
And the stars forfeit of broken heart
Even if the universe seems to be against us and predicts heartbreak, I refuse to believe it.
No matter it they do
No matter how much outside forces try to come between us, my love and dedication to you will remain strong.
I only know come what may
Regardless of what happens in the future, I am committed to standing by your side.
You'll always find me by your side
I will always be there for you and support you through thick and thin.
I may be a fool
Others may consider me foolish for holding such strong feelings for you, but I don't care.
Time alone will decide
Only time can truly determine the strength and longevity of our love, but I am willing to wait and find out.
Let them all say that it's just a game
Even if others dismiss our love as a frivolous game, I know that it is real and meaningful to me.
And I'm sure to lose
Even though there may be obstacles and challenges ahead, I am willing to take the risk and possibly lose it all for the sake of our love.
But just the same no matter if I do
Even if I do end up losing everything, including you, I will still have no regrets because I know that I was all in for our love.
You'll find that I'm all for you
My love, dedication, and loyalty to you are unwavering and will never change.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JERRY BRESLER, LARRY WYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind