Billie Holiday: As she lay dying, she was arrested for drug possession and remained under police guard until her death. She had been swindled out of her earnings and died with only 70 cents in her bank account.
That’s the haunting question posed by the work of Hungarian composers Rezső Seress and László Jávor. Their composition, originally penned about Seress’s girlfriend who tragically committed suicide, debuted in 1933 and reportedly coincided with a disturbing increase in suicide rates, prompting authorities to swiftly ban its nationwide broadcast.
The song, known variously as “Gloomy Sunday” or the “Hungarian Suicide Song,” resurfaced in 1941 with recordings by Paul Robeson and Billie Holiday. Each release allegedly correlated with a troubling spike in suicides, perpetuating its notorious reputation.
Billie Holiday, the iconic jazz singer known as “Lady Day,” passed away on July 17, 1959, at the age of 44 in New York City. Her unique voice and emotional depth left an indelible mark on jazz, blues, and popular music, influencing countless artists who followed. Despite her musical brilliance, Holiday’s life was marred by hardship, including a tumultuous childhood and struggles with violence, prostitution, substance abuse, and abusive relationships.
Holiday’s descent began in the 1950s as her addiction to drugs and alcohol took a severe toll on her health. By early 1959, she was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. Though she attempted to quit drinking, her efforts were short-lived. On May 31, she was admitted to Metropolitan Hospital in New York suffering from liver and heart disease. Tragically, as she lay dying, she was arrested for drug possession and remained under police guard until her death on July 17, from pulmonary edema and heart failure caused by cirrhosis. At the time of her passing, she had been swindled out of her earnings and died with only 70 cents in her bank account. It was a tragic end to the life of a profoundly talented and influential artist.
One particularly haunting aspect of Holiday’s career is her association with the song “Gloomy Sunday,” often referred to as the “Hungarian Suicide Song.” Composed by Hungarian pianist Rezső Seress in 1933, the song was initially about the despair of war and was later rewritten by poet László Jávor to depict a protagonist contemplating suicide after a lover’s death. The song gained infamy for its somber tone and alleged connections to numerous suicides, a reputation that only grew after Holiday’s 1941 rendition.
“Gloomy Sunday” was first recorded in English by Hal Kemp in 1936 with lyrics by Sam M. Lewis. It became widely known after Holiday’s haunting version was released. The song’s dark themes led to various legends about its impact, including reports of multiple suicides linked to its melancholy melody. While many of these stories are difficult to verify, the song’s composer, Rezső Seress, tragically ended his own life in 1968, decades after penning the tune.
Billie Holiday’s interpretation of “Gloomy Sunday” is considered the definitive version, so poignant that the BBC banned it in 1941, fearing it would harm wartime morale. This ban remained in place until 2002, further cementing the song’s legacy as one of the most melancholic pieces of music ever recorded.
Billie Holiday’s life and music continue to resonate, serving as a testament to her extraordinary talent and the profound emotional power of her performances. Despite the hardships she faced, her voice remains timeless, touching the hearts of listeners around the world.