orc4l (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I love this song, Its just so real as to what was happening at that time. I love her voice and her lyrics as well. when she felt something, her voice is so soothing, she made feel it too.

suzalish (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

This song gives me chills.

1957thunderbird312 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

her voice paired with a slow playing piano is haunting..i get shivers up and down my spine everytime i listen to this song! way to go billie..

edb081904 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Thank you for clarifying. As a "former" addict myself, I have an idea of how addiction devastates a life and robs people of their gifts. Billie Holiday's gift was imbued with the tragedies of her life. I always feel her when I listen to her. Such sadness and such artistry leave touches me deeply. To escape, if only for a couple hours is so seductive..but so very costly. I have the impression you are a younger person, it makes me happy to know that her legacy lives on.

symptom1555 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

actually,it was both.i meant no disrespect if i seemed to imply you did not know those things. i found that not many people nowadays know good music or the stories behind it.i read a few comments on this vid,and it really bothered me how some people make light of the suffering that she and others had to endure.so bassically i was trying to impart knowledge to anyone who thinks that its all ancient history.coming from detroit,i can telleveryone,its not.

edb081904 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I got this email as a response to my comments on this page....if you're commenting on Billie Holiday's addiction, courage and talent...those are well known qualities and handicaps that she had as a person and musician. Actually, I don'tunderstand if you're responding to me or just trying to impart some information ont his page.

symptom1555 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

actually,it was an ordeal for her to get on stage and sing this song. she briefly became addicted to heroin,which she used just to be able to cope with the enormity of singing this song night after night.keepo in mind this was the early thirties,and for a black woman to sing this song then,was not only bold,but dangerous...billie has all my respect...

FSquid (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

An echoing epitaph for a past so cruel, it seems bizarre.

edb081904 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I was complimenting ioxxd90 on his wife's uncle "lil Uncle Frank" who played in a band with Billie Holiday. They are putting up a website in his honor. That's what we were talking about. Does this answer your question?

HaneyKid (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

What are you talking about?