Who Wrote "Strange Fruit"?
"Strange Fruit" is a powerful and haunting song written by Abel Meeropol, an American songwriter and poet, in 1937. The song gained fame when it was recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939, and has since become a classic of the American songbook. In this article, we will delve into the history of the song, its meaning, and its impact on American culture.
The Inspiration Behind the Song
Abel Meeropol was a left-wing intellectual and social activist who was deeply concerned about the lynchings of African Americans that were taking place in the southern United States during the 1930s. Meeropol was particularly moved by the story of a young African American man named Thomas Shipp, who was brutally lynched in Marion, Indiana in 1930. Shipp’s murder was particularly egregious, as he was shot and then hanged from a tree in the town square.
Meeropol was so shaken by the story of Shipp’s murder that he wrote a poem called "Strange Fruit," which would later become the song we know today. The poem was a powerful and haunting description of the lynching, and it captured the horror and brutality of the event.
The Music and Lyrics
Meeropol’s poem was set to music by Lewis Allan, a fellow songwriter and activist. The song was recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939, and it quickly became a hit. The song’s lyrics are a powerful and poignant description of the lynching, and they are still widely recognized today as a powerful anti-lynching statement.
The Impact of the Song
"Strange Fruit" had a significant impact on American culture and society. The song helped to raise awareness about the issue of lynching and racial violence, and it played a role in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The song’s powerful lyrics and haunting melody made it a powerful tool for social change, and it continues to be celebrated as a classic of American music.
Awards and Recognition
"Strange Fruit" has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 2002, the song was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, which recognizes recordings that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." The song has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and it has been named one of the 100 Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Controversy and Censorship
Despite its significance and impact, "Strange Fruit" has also been the subject of controversy and censorship over the years. The song’s lyrics are explicit and graphic, and they have been the subject of complaints and objections from some listeners. In the 1940s and 1950s, the song was banned from many radio stations and concert venues, and it was often edited or censored to make it more palatable to mainstream audiences.
Legacy and Impact on Music
"Strange Fruit" has had a significant impact on music and culture. The song’s powerful lyrics and haunting melody have influenced generations of musicians and songwriters, and it continues to be celebrated as a classic of American music. The song has also been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Kathy Mattea.
Table: Timeline of "Strange Fruit"
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1937 | Abel Meeropol writes the poem "Strange Fruit" |
| 1939 | Billie Holiday records the song |
| 1940s-1950s | The song is banned from many radio stations and concert venues |
| 2002 | The song is added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress |
| 2012 | The song is inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame |
Conclusion
"Strange Fruit" is a powerful and haunting song that has had a significant impact on American culture and society. Written by Abel Meeropol in 1937, the song is a powerful anti-lynching statement that has been celebrated as a classic of American music. Despite controversy and censorship over the years, the song remains an important part of American musical heritage, and its powerful lyrics and haunting melody continue to move and inspire listeners to this day.
Bibliography
- Meeropol, A. (1937). Strange Fruit. Poem.
- Holiday, B. (1939). Strange Fruit. Song.
- Lewis, J. (2000). Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of Music. Songbook.
- Library of Congress. (2002). National Recording Registry. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/collections/national-recording-registry/
Note: The article is based on publicly available information and may not include all sources or perspectives.