About the song
“Gloomy Sunday,” performed by the legendary Billie Holiday, is a song steeped in melancholy and haunting beauty. Originally composed by Hungarian pianist and composer Rezső Seress in 1933, with lyrics by László Jávor, this piece has earned a place in musical history as one of the most evocative and emotionally charged songs ever written.
Billie Holiday’s rendition of “Gloomy Sunday,” recorded in 1941, brought the song to a wider audience, infusing it with her unique blend of sorrow and soulful depth. Holiday, known for her extraordinary ability to convey profound emotion, transforms the song into a poignant reflection on despair and longing. Her voice, rich with experience and pain, adds layers of meaning to the already somber lyrics.
The song itself has a storied past. Often referred to as the “Hungarian Suicide Song,” “Gloomy Sunday” was rumored to be linked to numerous tragic events, a myth that only amplified its mystique. Despite, or perhaps because of, its dark reputation, the song resonated with many, capturing the essence of human suffering and the search for solace.
Upon its release, Holiday’s version of “Gloomy Sunday” became part of her album “The Quintessential Billie Holiday, Volume 6 (1942),” a collection that showcases her immense talent and emotional range. Though not a chart-topping hit in the conventional sense, the song’s impact is undeniable, cementing its place as a classic in Holiday’s repertoire and in the annals of jazz and blues music.
Billie Holiday’s interpretation of “Gloomy Sunday” is more than a mere cover; it is a profound artistic statement. Her nuanced performance conveys a depth of feeling that speaks to the listener’s own experiences of sorrow and resilience. The delicate piano accompaniment, coupled with Holiday’s mournful vocals, creates an atmosphere of introspective melancholy that lingers long after the final note.
“Gloomy Sunday” remains a testament to Billie Holiday’s enduring legacy as one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Her ability to connect with the listener on such a personal and emotional level ensures that this song continues to be cherished by audiences old and new. It’s a somber reminder of the complexities of the human heart, beautifully captured by an artist who understood them all too well.
Video
Lyrics
Sunday is gloomy
My hours are slumberless
Dearest the shadows
I live with are numberless
Little white flowers
Will never awaken you
Not where the black coach
Of sorrow has taken you
Angels have no thoughts
Of ever returning you
Would they be angry
If I thought of joining you
Gloomy Sunday
Gloomy is Sunday
With shadows I spend it all
My heart and I
Have decided to end it all
Soon there’ll be candles
And prayers that are said I know
Let them not weep
Let them know that I’m glad to go
Death is no dream
For in death I’m caressin’ you
With the last breath of my soul
I’ll be blessin’ you
Gloomy Sunday
Dreaming, I was only dreaming
I wake and I find you asleep
In the deep of my heart here
Darling, I hope
That my dream never haunted you
My heart is tellin’ you
How much I wanted you
Gloomy Sunday