~STRANGE FRUIT~
Strange Fruit as sung by Billie Holiday continues to powerfully creep and linger on the minds and in the hearts of all those that hear its lullaby. Like a siren in the deep, the lyrics don't lead one to temptation, but lure any that hear it to confront the illustrative images that attack all five senses. The graphic nature of the violent horrors that Billie is describing contrasts perfectly with her sweet, soft, and almost broken voice. This almost creates a darker performance than than it does paint an even darker painting of shadowy bodies represented as now spoiled, dead, strange fruit.
The lyrics and performance give this piece a "staying power" that transcends art, but becomes a message that forces social change. Add the fact that the composer was a white male, shows that their thesis goes beyond black and white. It demands that lynching be looked at in a purely human level, as one of the lowest forms of dehumanizing someone.
"Strange Fruit" is a song that came out at the right time. It's controversial not just for the hell of it, but because the danger of producing such a song is what people needed to hear in order to enact social change. What separates it from many other songs is that you wouldn't listen to it at a social event or for pleasure. It's listened to because it's a reminder of what art can do. It's a reminder of the ways that anyone and everyone has a right and duty, in whatever talent of division they come from, to do what they can to make this world the BEST place it can be.
"Strange Fruit" is a song that came out at the right time. It's controversial not just for the hell of it, but because the danger of producing such a song is what people needed to hear in order to enact social change. What separates it from many other songs is that you wouldn't listen to it at a social event or for pleasure. It's listened to because it's a reminder of what art can do. It's a reminder of the ways that anyone and everyone has a right and duty, in whatever talent of division they come from, to do what they can to make this world the BEST place it can be.
Great post, I especially loved the last paragraph about "Strange Fruit" being a good example of what art can do to our culture. The song has proved to have staying power and produce a massive response around America to this day. Do you think there are any songs in the past decade that have the same longevity or artistic movements as "Strange Fruit"? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteYou incorporated some great ideas that I had never considered. An example, would be how you said that the circumstances of the production of the song demands "lynching to be looked at in a purely human level". Another remarkable point that you brought up, is that art is not only meant to entertain but that it can address social issues. Could it be claimed that the use of art is the best possible method to enact change in our society?
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