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."
They Can't Take That Away from Me
Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can't take that away from me
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
We may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still I'll always, always keep the memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no, they can't take that away from me
The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can't take that away from me
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no they can't take that away from me
We may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still I'll always, always keep the memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no, they can't take that away from me
No, they can't
Take that away from me
In Billie Holiday's song "They Can't Take That Away from Me," the lyrics describe the lasting memories that the singer holds onto after a romantic relationship has ended. The first verse highlights the smallest details of the person she was with, from the way they wore their hat to the way they sipped their tea. These memories are so vivid and precious that the singer believes that no one can take them away from her - these moments and memories are hers forever.
The second verse deepens the memories a bit, showing that not only does she remember the simple moments, but she also remembers the moments that brought them closer - like when they would dance until three in the morning or the moment he changed her life. Despite the fact that they may never see each other again, the singer will always keep these memories and hold them dear.
The chorus affirms once again that nobody can take these memories away, that even if they try, they will remain with the singer forever. The final line of the song repeats the sentiment that these precious memories belong to her and her alone.
Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the power of memories and the lingering effects of love on our hearts and minds.
Line by Line Meaning
The way you wear your hat
The singer is impressed with the person's fashion sense, and acknowledges that this aspect of their personality is unique and memorable.
The way you sip your tea
The singer is charmed by even the most ordinary actions of the person, and is eager to appreciate whatever makes this person distinctive.
The memory of all that
The singer cherishes the memories they have shared with this person, and no matter what happens, those memories will always be precious.
No, no they can't take that away from me
The artist is certain that nothing can rob them of the joy and beauty they have experienced in this relationship, and they will always cherish and remember it.
The way your smile just beams
The artist is immensely pleased with the person's smile, and feels its warmth and radiance bring them great happiness.
The way you sing off key
Even the person's supposed flaws and quirks are endearing to the singer, who enjoys everything about this person.
The way you haunt my dreams
The singer is so deeply affected by their love for this person that they are constantly thinking about them, even in their dreams.
We may never, never meet again
The artist acknowledges the possibility that their relationship may end, but still hopes to preserve its memory even if they are never reunited.
On the bumpy road to love
The artist recognizes that love can be turbulent and unpredictable, but is willing to take the risks and go through the challenges to experience it.
Still I'll always, always keep the memory of
Regardless of how their relationship unfolds, the artist is committed to holding onto their memories and experiences with this person.
The way you hold your knife
The singer finds the person's mannerisms and habits intriguing, even down to the way they hold their utensils.
The way we danced till three
The artist cherishes memories of dancing with the person, and treasures the time they have spent together.
The way you changed my life
The singer recognizes that this person has had a profound impact on their life, and is forever grateful for their presence.
No, no, they can't take that away from me
The singer is resolute in their belief that nothing can take away their memories and experiences with this person, and no matter what happens, these things will always be precious.
No, they can't
The singer asserts their belief that the beauty and value of their relationship cannot be erased, and they will always hold onto the memories they have shared.
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
thedealer777
Love the '57 recording of this song. She made this song hers. You can't beat "Lady Day!" She had that rare quality, ... a cry in her voice. Hank Williams and Janis Joplin had it as well. Some say it wasn't just their talent we heard, but their soul!
J'ai Hemingway
Only one Billie Holiday!!!
Terry Chester Shulman
Sounds like Lester Young . . .
Fabien Quero
>60 years have passed and pas une ride...
Terry Chester Shulman
Oh wait, it's Ben Webster.
Anje Dewrance
Re Truth
Anje Dewrance
If. Only ¹€Understands