Rashonda Brown

BILLIE Holiday was born April 7, 1915 in Philadelphia. Bille was born ( Eleanor Fagan). She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland in the 1920’s. She lived an Impoverish cgildhood efore moving to New York City. There she madeher true singing debut in obscure Harlem Night Clubs. She borrowed her Professsional name- Billie Holiday- from Screen Star Billie Dove. She quickly became an active participant in one of the most urban jazz scenes in the Country. At the Age of 18 she had more experience then most adult musicians . She cut her first record as part of a studio group led by Benny Goodmen. Billie’s career got a big push when she recorded four sides that went on to become hits. Later on she died in July 17, 1959, her Herion addiction lead to her death.

BILLIE’S BLUES LYRICS
Lord I love my man, tell the world I do
I love Lord I love my man, tell the world I do
I love my man, tell the world I do
But when he mistreats me
Makes me feel so blue

My man wouldn't give me no breakfast
Wouldn't give me no dinner
Fought about my supper and put me outdoors
Had the dark clay make black spots on my clothes
I didn't have so many
But I had a long, long way to go

Some men like me talkin' happy
Some calls it snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I got money
Some tell me baby you're built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everthing a good man needs

The message in this song was how the was having troubled relationship and unscrupulous and abusive men dragging her career down.