The song “Strange Fruit” captures a tragic part of Black history, and was one of the first popular songs that called attention to the horrors of racism in America. The lyrics are a poem that describes lynching with disturbingly vivid imagery. Over the years this song has been covered by so many people, and it’s still relevant in the present day. Today’s Speakerbox contains four versions of “Strange Fruit” by artists who really made the song their own.
BILLIE HOLIDAY
The originator. Listen to how she phrases the melodies, and to the raw emotion packed into each note.
NINA SIMONE
Nina’s powerful voice calls out the lyrics like an announcement. And the piano accompaniment helps get the message across perfectly. This is a very focused, purposeful delivery which adds weight and importance to the subject matter.
INDIA.ARIE
This arrangement was completely mindblowing the first time I heard it. The instrumentation and rhythmic layers add a completely different dimension to the song, while maintaining the emotional intensity. If you’re going to flip a classic, this is the way to do it.
JOSE JAMES
This version gives a calm reflective vibe to the song. The a capella arrangement of humming and sparse clapping leaves a lot of space, giving the sentiments of the lyrics more breathing room.
Which one is your favorite?
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Tags: Billie Holiday, Black Music, Jose James, music, Nina Simone, strange fruit, The ViP Speakerbox
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