In the late 1990s Callier began his comeback to recorded music, contributing to Beth Orton's Best Bit EP in 1997 and releasing the album Timepeace in 1998, which won the United Nations' Time For Peace award for outstanding artistic achievement contributing to world peace. His colleagues at the University of Chicago never learned of Callier's life as a musician, but after the award the news of his secret life became widely known and subsequently led to his firing.[3][9]
As well as touring internationally, Callier continued his recording career, releasing five albums since Timepeace, including Lifetime (1999), Alive (2001), Speak Your Peace (2002) and Lookin' Out (2004). May 2009 saw his album Hidden Conversations featuring Massive Attack released on Mr Bongo records.[7][9] In 2001, Callier performed "Satin Doll" for the Red Hot Organization's compilation album Red Hot + Indigo, a tribute to Duke Ellington, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS awareness and fighting the disease. Callier died on October 27, 2012, after a long illness.
Blues for Billie Holiday
Terry Callier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But she had a broken wing
What a heavy price to pay
This here's the blues for Billie Holliday
Simple gowns all she'd wear
With one gardenia in her hair
I remember her that way
This is the blues for Billie Holliday
All too soon she had to leave
Like a child she went astray
I sing the blues for Billie Holliday
I just heard her voice again
Like an echo in the wind
Man, there's nothin' left to say
I sing the blues for Billie Holliday
Terry Callier's song "Blues for Billie Holiday" is a tribute to the legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday, who was known for her unique and emotive voice, as well as her turbulent life. The opening lines, "Like an angel she could sing, But she had a broken wing," are particularly poignant, as they capture the essence of Holiday's artistry, which was marked by a blend of beauty and pain. In many ways, Holiday's life was a reflection of the blues that she sang so powerfully. She struggled with addiction and abusive relationships, but always managed to come back, creating music that was both raw and transformative.
The lyrics go on to describe Holiday's style, with references to her simple gowns and signature gardenia in her hair. Despite her troubled life, Holiday was a fashion icon, known for her elegant and understated style. The song concludes with the line "I just heard her voice again, Like an echo in the wind, Man, there's nothin' left to say, I sing the blues for Billie Holliday," which reflects the enduring impact of Holiday's music, even decades after her death.
Overall, "Blues for Billie Holiday" is a powerful tribute to an artist who touched many lives with her music and her life story. Through Callier's mournful lyrics and soulful voice, we are reminded of the depth and beauty of Holiday's legacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Like an angel she could sing
She had an exceptional singing ability that was almost supernatural.
But she had a broken wing
She had personal struggles and hardships that led to her downfall.
What a heavy price to pay
The cost of her talent and success was a heavy burden to bear.
This here's the blues for Billie Holliday
The song is dedicated to Billie Holliday and her hardships.
Simple gowns all she'd wear
She preferred to dress in modest clothing, often wearing just one flower in her hair.
With one gardenia in her hair
She often wore a single gardenia flower in her hair.
I remember her that way
The singer remembers Billie Holliday as a simple, yet beautiful woman.
Her heart was always on her sleeve
She was open and vulnerable, often displaying her emotions for all to see.
All too soon she had to leave
Her life and career were cut short due to unfortunate circumstances.
Like a child she went astray
She experienced hardships that caused her to struggle and make bad decisions.
I sing the blues for Billie Holliday
The singer is expressing his condolences and admiration for Billie Holliday through the blues genre.
I just heard her voice again
The singer is reminiscing on Billie Holliday's iconic voice, which still echoes in his memory.
Like an echo in the wind
Her voice is a distant memory that is still present, albeit fleeting.
Man, there's nothin' left to say
Her life and legacy were so impactful, that no words can truly capture her essence.
Contributed by Emma H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.