Bonamassa was born in Utica, New York. He started playing guitar at age four, encouraged by his father, who was an avid music fan and exposed him to British blues rock records by Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, greatly inspiring him. At 11 years old Joe was mentored and trained by American guitar legend, Danny Gatton. When he was 12 years old, he had his own band called Smokin' Joe Bonamassa, which gigged around western New York and Pennsylvania, including cities such as Scranton and Buffalo, but only on weekends since Joe had school on weekdays. Bonamassa played a crimson 1972 Fender Stratocaster he called "Rosie", which his father had bought in Utica, New York.
When he was 12 years old, Bonamassa opened for B.B. King. In the last 13 years Bonamassa has put out 15 solo albums through his independent record label J&R Adventures, of which 11 have reached number 1 on the Billboard Blues charts. Bonamassa has played alongside such artists as Stephen Stills, Eric Clapton, Blondie Chaplin, Foreigner, Buddy Guy, Steve Winwood, Warren Haynes, Solomon Hicks,and Derek Trucks among others.[4] His career highlights include performances at the Royal Albert Hall and has had three Grammy Award nominations in 2013, for his collaboration album with Beth Hart "Seesaw", in 2016 for the album "Live at the Greek Theatre" and 2022 for the album "Royal Tea". In addition to his music career, Joe Bonamassa runs a nonprofit organisation called the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, whose mission is to further music education by funding scholarships and providing music education resources to schools in need. in 2020, he added an extension to the foundation. Called Fuelling Musicians, it provides $1500 cheques to struggling musicians affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
in 2021, he broke his own record for having more #1 Billboard blues albums than anyone in history. The album "Time Clocks" clocked up his 25th #1 album.
He is also known for his enormous collection of vintage guitars and related gear.
Strange Fruit
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blood on the leaves
Blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
The scent of magnolia sweet and fresh
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather
For the wind to suck
For the sun to rot
For the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop
The song "Strange Fruit" by Joe Bonamassa feat. Beth Hart is a cover of the iconic song originally performed by Billie Holiday in the 1930s. The lyrics paint a haunting picture of the violence and racial inequalities prevalent in the southern United States during that time period. The "strange fruit" referred to in the song are the bodies of black men who have been lynched and left hanging from trees. The image of "blood on the leaves" and "blood at the root" emphasizes the cyclical nature of this violence - it is ingrained in the very fabric of the community.
The song describes a "pastoral scene" in the south, but it is far from idyllic. The singer observes black bodies "swinging in the southern breeze" and notes the graphic details of their grotesque appearance. The contrast between the sweet scent of magnolia blossoms and the stench of burning flesh further underscores the brutality of the situation. The final stanza of the song is particularly chilling - the "strange fruit" is not even fit for human consumption; it is something to be discarded and forgotten.
Overall, "Strange Fruit" is a powerful and poignant critique of the racism and violence that were (and, unfortunately, still are) rampant in American society. It is a reminder of the atrocities committed in the name of white supremacy and the importance of continuing to fight against systemic oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Southern trees bear strange fruit
The trees in the South produce a disturbing and unsettling type of fruit.
Blood on the leaves
The fruit is so disturbing that it causes blood to appear on the leaves of the trees.
Blood at the root
The fruit is so disturbing that it causes blood to appear at the base of the trees as well.
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
The fruit hanging from the trees is actually the bodies of black people swinging in the wind.
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
The sight of black bodies hanging from the trees is so disturbing that it is described as 'strange fruit.'
Pastoral scene of the gallant south
Despite the horror of the bodies hanging from the trees, the surroundings are idyllic and pastoral in nature.
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
The image of the hanging bodies is so vivid that even the details of the expressions on their faces can be discerned.
The scent of magnolia sweet and fresh
The air is filled with the sweet fragrance of magnolia flowers, which is a stark contrast to the horror of the scene.
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh
The scent of magnolia is quickly overpowered by the smell of burning flesh, which adds another layer of horror to the scene.
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
The hanging bodies are so horrific that they can only be fit to be pecked at and eaten by crows.
For the rain to gather
The various elements of nature - including rain - are only capable of absorbing the horror of the scene.
For the wind to suck
Even the wind can only add to the desolation of the scene by swirling dirt and leaves around the swaying bodies.
For the sun to rot
The sun only causes further decay and decomposition of the hanging bodies over time.
For the tree to drop
The weight of the hanging bodies will eventually cause the branches of the trees to break and the bodies to fall.
Here is a strange and bitter crop
The sight of black bodies hanging from the trees in the South is an incredibly disturbing and difficult thing to behold.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DMEB
Oh my.
Its like billy meets floyd.
This is one of the best versions of the song ive ever heard.
Such scary poignant lyrics that perfectly mix with this lush and sweeping sound here.
Hats off to mr Kevin Shirley who is a master of a producer.
JOE AND BETH.
A TRUE MUSICAL MATCH.
@kanduterio1
Strange Fruit (Lyrics):
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swingin' in the Southern breeze
Strange fruit hangin' from the poplar trees
Pastoral scene of the gallant South
The bulgin' eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burnin' flesh
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather
For the wind to suck
For the sun to rot
For the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop
@nordna
I've known of Beth Hart since the mid to late 80s when she was a contestant on Star Search... this is the most subdued I've ever heard her. As a black man, I AM IN LOVE WITH HER. Her voice here is chilling, haunting, captivating, mesmerizing.... wickedly exceptional delivery. PERFECT
@TheDaydreammaster
I never could have said it better my friend.
@elishaedison3807
i guess im randomly asking but does anybody know a method to log back into an Instagram account??
I stupidly forgot the password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me!
@remingtonzechariah6687
@Elisha Edison instablaster =)
@Ripleys_mom
She does it justice. Billie Holiday was a brave woman to record this in the social climate she was trapped in.
@gusgone4527
Regardless of colour she floats my boat too. Working with Joe bring something else out her and it's magical. Makes the hairs on my back stand up and gives me shivers.
@user-no4ts7xi9i
Великие.... Больше сказать нечего..
@augustalaurentbiehly3277
When one thinks that no one can come close to Billie's and Nina's versions.... here comes Beth Hart! There are two modern female singers that move me to my core... Eva Cassidy and Beth Hart. Pain never sounded better.... the lyrics are extrordinarily beautiful, tragic, touching, moving... gorgeous arrangement too!
@kurtmadison9517
Amen
@user-bu1kc1dv4h
Да!И меня тоже.
Ева-и Бет👍
Еще Анджелина Джордан.