Annie Lennox - Strange Fruit (Live)

Nostalgia - the new album from Annie Lennox is OUT NOW! Order exclusive print bundles here: po.st/ALNostalgia3
iTunes: po.st/Nostalgia3
Amazon: po.st/NostalgiaDLXAM3
US Vinyl: po.st/NostalgiaLP3
Google Play: po.st/NostalgiaGP1
nostalgia.annielennox.com
Music video by Annie Lennox performing Strange Fruit. (C) 2014 La Lennoxa Limited, under exclusive licence to Island Records, a division of Island Records

[@activitygrrrl5932]

"I find racism very painful. Even when I was a kid, I couldn´t abide that somebody would be stigmatized and separated. That song is a very courageous piece of art. It silenced people. It shamed people. It took it out from the shadows and said: Look, this is what´s happening and you know it´s happenning." Annie Lennox

[@jodymoreno-nind4630]

Do you where this quote is from ??

[@pascalpoussin1209]

Think a little about the life of Palestinians: "if I don't take your land someone else will" - 2021, Jerusalem, from a Jewish migrant to a Palestinian Christian or Muslim... This is complete denial of respect and existence. Is this racism or could this be even worse?

[@veronicaalleyne]

& the gov't. attempted to get Billie to stop singing this song but, she wouldn't quit so they then went after her anyway

[@veronicaalleyne]

& still republicans found it appropriate to vote against an anti-lynching law which tells me that the only reason for keeping racism around is because they enjoy it

[@veronicaalleyne]

& republicans thought it right to vote against anti lynching legislation since this does still happen here, remeber that when you go to the polls

[@jeffreysuggs1]

Many European, and EuroAmericans have a true knowledge of our nation's racial PAST. That is why so many of them stand in solidarity with us( Of course, I am black) to move toward a better present and future. Ms. Lennox had paid a beautiful tribute to that cause, as well as to a beautiful artist, and her signature song! It is indeed a powerful one!

[@ke83984]

Europeans are racist too. It's just in AMerica we freely express racism openly

[@KremIsis]

If I didn't read her name I would have never recognized her. Her voice has deepened. Really stunning, I never heard a white person singing this song so right. She puts something more than vocal range. She puts her heart on it.

[@ProwlingTiger1]

It might just be me but I've noticed that Annie does actually deepen her voice on songs she obviously feels needs to be sung deeply. She is very talented and has got quite the range in her voice- she can vary it as she needs and wants to, I think sometimes she doesn't get enough credit for that, especially as many singers seam to lose the power in their voice or even the ability to sing all together as they get older but she has not only kept her voice as great as from the start but she has even perfected it and got better and better over time, a mark of true genius talent.

[@RuffianTux]

I was the same way! I saw the name and thought "Huh..I know her from somewhere." Then "Man! What a powerhouse!" It wasn't until I did a search that I remembered where I knew the name from. I had no idea she had so much grit and power behind her.

[@emeralduchihax]

@@ProwlingTiger1 I don’t think she perfected it at all in my opinion the original will always be the best as she saw things and felt things Annie hasn’t lived through so her version wouldn’t be as real or as heart felt, it’s good just no where near as good as the original.

[@veronicaalleyne]

that's a natural occurance as you age it happens to all women even those who don't sing

[@KremIsis]

@@veronicaalleyne kind of hope you're right, just today I noticed how my mom's voice still is very high-pitched, and I took after her... I wouldn't mind a deeper voice at all.

[@tevinedwards7551]

I am so fed up of the bloody racism. I am black... I am from the Caribbean.... My ancestors came as slaves... You think american black history is bad? Try taking a look at ours. We bleed red blood. We are made up of the same stuff!!! Until we can feel each other's pain racism will never stop. This is beautiful, sang with soul and pain. Why are we hating on her? Isn't this the exact thing your ancestors fought against? She is standing with you. Why create further divide? For such a large country your minds seem to be terribly small. This was beautiful. Ashe ashe ashe

[@tevinedwards7551]

The more i read of these comments the more ignorance i read.

[@ZeeZahSmile]

Tevin Edwards I don't know how black you are but Caribbean "blacks" shuffle & jive for whites all the time So I understand why You want to hold hands & sing Kumbaya to ppl that hate you ass.

[@kennatco7916]

You ought to take the "Love" out of your name and put it in your heart. There's an obvious lack.

[@kennatco7916]

I'm not going to dig for the nasty comments everyone is talking about. Most of the ones I've seen so far are the positive ones. I'm glad to see there are a few folks with hearts and brains enough to realize we all have the same blood running in our veins, and our atoms have no color. Hatred does have a color: UGLY. Annie Lennox sang this beautifully.

[@tevinedwards7551]

Shuffle and Jive? You are clearly misinformed... Lack of education certainly goes hand in hand with ignorance

[@HEIRLESSful]

I must admit. Annie did an outstanding job with this! She definitely did the song justice.

[@LuvvMono]

Did it justice ms holiday did it better

[@kukuhsantoso5190]

@@LuvvMono don't be stupid absolutely ms holiday did it better but annie did it justice and thats good!!!

[@LuvvMono]

@@kukuhsantoso5190 don’t be stupid I said what I said you may have an opinion but it’s trash

[@wlnyuh2330]

@@kukuhsantoso5190 what tf do you mean "did it justice"??

[@kukuhsantoso5190]

@@wlnyuh2330 did the song justice

[@trimmedlamp]

Strange Fruit, was written by Abel Meeropol. He saw a picture of a lynching that haunted him. He couldn't forget it. So, he wrote a poem, and then he wrote the music. Mr. Meeropol published Strange Fruit under his pseudonym, Lewis Allan. Abel Meeropol was a white Jewish man from the Bronx. As an African American, I am grateful to Mr. Meeropol for his compassion for his fellow human beings. Annie Lennox has every right to sing this song. The song is a lament over a despicable act of sickening, depraved murder. ANYONE can--and should--want to speak--or sing-- against it.

[@Aflower_setapart]

Trimmed Lamp this is a lie

[@essencethomas5013]

Huh, I thought Nina Simone created this?

[@JackT13]

Queendom vision it’s true

[@JackT13]

Essence Thomas no she covered it. First person to sing the song was Billie Holiday

[@salenasheppherd7551]

The person who brought this poem to life ORIGINALLY was BILLIE HOLIDAY. Consequently her career went down hill after doing so but her spirit was definitely included with the words of this poem. I love Annie Lennox and I commend her for choosing to revive this poem but let's not forgot who sung it FIRST.

[@MikeGodwin1956]

The word "nostalgia" derives from the Greek for "revisited pain."

[@panagiotisgkionis5474]

Michael Jones you are so rude and ignorant !!

[@ar7366]

Nostalgia actually means "pain of the return" (so, indeed, homesick). In Ancient Greek "algos" means pain and "nostos" return. Nostalgia originally referred to Ulysses' suffering from being away from his family and home. I am afraid your etymology - although far from absurd - is incorrect.

[@luzdabalos2915]

Michael Jones hello

[@luzdabalos2915]

Hello haw are you

[@user-xi7os1pn9n]

I am Japanese I love this song by her and Billy May it be a peaceful world full of love

[@hayley8806]

In response to the comments below: 1. Nostalgia is an appropriate name for an album of old songs and, in an ironic sense, particularly appropriate for an album with "Strange Fruit" on it as nostalgia is frequently associated with the "good old days" which ignores the dark and sordid history of that time. 2. What Lennox said in the interview was "It hasn’t gone away, this thing of violence, bigotry, hatred: It’s expressed on a daily basis, day and night, 24/7." I think it's important that she brought this song back into public attention. While it's not a comfortable song, it is one that people need to know. Annie Lennox has reminded people of it and has brought to an audience that may not have ever known of it otherwise. Before you tear down Lennox, look her up. She is someone who has never shied away from "walking the walk" and has been a powerful voice for equality. Whether or not you agree with her - when Annie Lennox speaks, a smart person listens to what she has to say.

[@gabrieltalavera4465]

Annie Lennox is just a soulful artist. Period. Even Aretha franklin told her she's the most soulful white woman shes ever sang with. The color of tone is so distinct and beautiful. I love a contralto...when a female singer sings in a deep rich tone in the low register like a female bass. She truly evoked the meaning and heaviness of the song. And she got guts for actually pulling it off which so much sensitivity and respect.

[@ProwlingTiger1]

That's what I like about her, the way she handles sensitive yet shouldn't be ignored topics and issues, many famous people when they want to present such things often do it in a way that just irritates or annoys by being too in your face, preachy, patronising or even insulting to both the subject matter and they people they are reaching out to, thus even if they are absolutely right in what they are saying, the message and point is lost because of how they delivered it. That's not true of Annie Lennox- she always does her best to be respectful, honourable and sensitive to topics or points she is bringing to people's attention. Music has a power and she is an artist who uses that power wisely and respectfully and tactfully, credit to her.

[@Nick9n]

You don't have to be black to be horrified by the image of someone being hung from a tree because of their skin colour. That is a universal horror, and the raw emotion of it is evident in Annie's vocals. Edit: This comment is 4 years old, I'm mixed race (half-black) and believe me, I'm more than aware of how bad racism is in the UK. None of that changes how I feel about Annie's performance. Edit 2: Coming back at this 5 years later, I think the great power of music is it's ability to help one empathise with another's struggle, and that's how I've always seen Annie's performance of this song. It's spreading the message of righteous anger and saying I stand with you against something too horrible to comprehend.

[@whatreallymatters571]

Being horrified by it is different from actually suffering from it and having ancestors that suffered from it.

[@Nick9n]

Well for a start, I don't think anyone today can say that they've suffered from the same degree of racism present back then. The time when it was sung by people directly affected by it has long past. If this "it" you're referring to people having suffered from is discrimination, then Annie, having lived her life as a woman, will certainly be familiar with how that feels in modern society. Speaking as someone with darker skin, being black does not give you the moral high-ground to say you care about something more because of your skin colour, and I think encouraging that is even more horrific.You only need to here the raw emotion and horror in Annie's flawless voice to see that she's feels that pain just as much as any of the rest of us, if not more.

[@electraambrosia]

+Nick9n You comparing being a blonde, white woman and being a black person in today's society alone shows that you truly don't get it tbh.

[@Nick9n]

+electraambrosia It may be different in America, but over here in the UK there is comparitively little anti-black discrimination. We're talking about the emotion she feels and conveys in this song and she does it just as well as any black woman in this country. She understands the pain as much any European, black or not, can nowadays having not experienced that degree of racism. But she can relate to being discriminated against because of something out of their control, and it shows in her music.

[@paullytle1904]

+Nick9n i think that Tamirs mother would disagree about no one suffering that bad

[@bohosoul13]

She sang this beautifully and with the utmost respect. Billy Holiday would have been proud. #BlackLivesMatter

[@gavinoprimo2535]

Cheryl Williams LANA!

[@LanaiAlexis]

Cheryl Williams you couldn't have said it any better!

[@DougWild]

+Cheryl Williams Even more so than Billy Holiday I've always been moved to distraction by Nina Simone's rendering of this beautiful, terrible song. Annie Lennox now, for me, has earned the right to stand beside these other two performers.

[@timmadone8930]

+Cheryl Williams I agree, this is a beautiful version. You might want to listen to the version recorded by Siouxsie Sioux too. It's a unique take on the song.

[@tronmartin1]

+Cheryl Williams This was a beautiful, and hauntingly sad song. I was deeply moved. Annie is superb.

[@adhityawisadha5206]

I love all the version of this song, each singer has different scars to tell, even annie lennox is white, she tried to represent what the story behind the song on point.

[@Frostgrl681]

I think so too, although I am conflicted.

[@lamadrina5384]

The song was written by a Jew. It is NOT a black song.

[@rogeriosousa9474]

Ela cantou com muito respeito

[@Mobblife1419]

My first time hearing this rendition of Strange Fruit and I must say she did a phenomenal job!

[@jeffersonianracism4343]

The instruments are played better here but I still think that Nina Simone sang it best. Nina makes the words come upfront!

[@HelenaBlack80]

Jeffersonian Racism I agree. I love Nina Simone’s version. It’s so moving and devastating and awful and beautiful all at the same time, it never fails to bring a tear to my eye pictures those words.

[@katperson1955]

HelenaBlack80 I agree as well. Nina Simone’s raw soul can be heard in her rendition of this song.

[@kimvinson5641]

Billie Holiday the original vocalist to perform this does the most heartbreaking, heartwrenching, rendition of this song. The song was originally written as a poem by Abel Meerpol around 1938 or 1939. I had read that he asked Ms. Holiday to sing it. Which she did at Cafe Society in New York, 1939. I agree that Annie Lennox performed this haunting song piercingly and with passion. And agreed that Nina Simone put a rawness that very touching and moving! This song leaves me with tears, and no words to express the years, decades of pain associated with it.

[@vincentmontgomery9770]

This the best version yet

[@amberbright1883]

I've known this song since I was 5, my Children will know it also! True History Must be Taught! You don't learn it in School!

[@Ayala252]

This song makes me cry every time I hear it and this rendition tears my heart out. Annie Lennox gave this great, challenging poem new life.

[@musicdivaSF]

I have never heard this song till now It made my jaw drop and gave me goose bumps. Chilling.

[@neene7]

Then you should also listen to Billies version. Both make my cry

[@kingvonfrmdao6659]

@@neene7 and nina in my opinion she sang It the best

[@neene7]

um I won't say who sang it best, I just gave another option.... for me it wasn't a competition. They all sang it beautifully and made it their own.....

[@MAC-wf6ub]

2020 she did an awesome job. BUUUT it’s just too smooth and polished. IMO the PAIN and HURT in the voice of Nina Simone makes her version hit harder!!! Sounds like she is seeing every lyric. But make no mistake, this sounds awesome too! Be Blessed ✌🏾

[@lamadrina5384]

OH get over yourself. This is by NO MEAN smooth or polished. It is ferocious. Nina Simone has never been able to sing in tune. She could walk the walk, but, baby, this is a Jewish song, written by a white Jew! So I sugess you think Jessye Norman and Leontyne Price did not have the voices for European Opera because they were Black. If you were a musician, you would NEVER write such crap!!

[@ambergrislo1070]

I very much agree , this version doesn’t hit deep it’s very clean and history was anything but

[@tarap5618]

Just stumbled upon this version today. As a huge Annie Lennox fan, I'm still just stunned by this rendition. Absolutely outstanding!!! She's managed to add another depth to this already gut wrenching Billie Holliday classic. Truly did it justice through&through. Well done👏👏👏

[@jodejack]

wow, the comments. Annie Lennox is an artist who sang a song about something that had meaning to her and did the song justices. I would much rather hear her acknowledge this part of American history than to ignore it like some artist and pretend it never happened. this is how we learn from pain.

[@manystar]

Powerful song ... impecable vocals and amazing stage prescence... it gives me chills

[@txpistolero]

I appreciated the refrain of applause at the end. And for those who don't know, Annie is Scottish.

[@catekwa]

Thank-you Annie Lennox. This song must never be forgotten.

[@simondancer]

A gobsmacking singer. I have always been in complete awe of her.

[@Dermacrosis]

The song itself is powerful and emotional. All I can say is wow she did a terrific job putting that across.

[@Boyonspace]

What a haunting song, and she sang it so beautifully

[@yokeloonw]

What a rendition of this song. Annie Lennox is an artist and activist as well. She understands injustice and sufferings of people. That's why she sings so well here. Respect the lady here.

[@misterx4757]

I'm sharing this with everybody. She is one of wonders of the world. Which is why I've been enamored from the first day I heard her back in the eighties. True songbird. Love

[@countrygal0831]

So haunting. What a great version - Annie's voice is fantastic!!!

[@tasharch]

"strange" is such a perfect word, such an understated sentiment, and when Annie sings it you get the sense on incomprehensibility.

[@lillymillion]

So...Strange Fruit was a protest song written by a Jewish activist, a white man named Abel Meeropol. He wrote Strange Fruit after being affected by a picture of lynched, black men. And people are angry at Annie for singing it.

[@Sovairu]

NO. People got angry when she said that this song was about all oppression everywhere and against everyone. It isn't. It is very, VERY clear that this song is about the horror of a Black person being lynched and killed, just for being black where white bigots lived. There are other songs which are about oppression in general; other songs which deal with other hardships. If that's all you care about, then listen to those other songs. This song is about the systemic and overarching oppression and hatred which people of color endure simply for existing. Yes, Annie Lennox sings this song very well, yes, she has a beautiful voice, yes, she has dealt with her own harships, but she was definitely tone-deaf in attempting to relate this song to all oppression, including forms of oppression against white people. When, especially in the USA, have you heard about a lynching against a white victim? Hmm? Never? Oh, I see.

[@Djoodibooti]

I agree. This song is about black pain.

[@AZWADER]

@@Sovairu Well if you wanna get specific, it isn't about all forms of black oppression in America; it's about the lynching of American blacks. While one could extrapolate a message about all American black oppression, you need only extrapolate one step further to reach a message on oppression of all forms.

[@Sovairu]

Robert Cohn No. The sweet magnolia, the poplar trees, the southern breeze, the black bodies swinging, the burning flesh ... these, and everything else in the song, are very specific images. These images are associated with the ruthless lynchings and other such murders of black folks in the southern United States, perpetrated in the name of systemic hatred by racists. Such imagery is not associated with other oppression, especially not against any white folks. With such imagery, one can only conclude that the song extends to oppression faced by blacks; at most, the oppression faced by the victims of racism in this country. Any systemic oppression against whites, is not the same as the oppression against victims of racism. So trying to claim that this song, "Strange Fruit," with its imagery detailing the atrocities of racism, is applicable to white folks or others who have never faced racism, is ludicrous. Or at least, it is misinformed. As such, the song cannot be applied to all oppression against everyone, everywhere. It's a great song, sure, and white people are allowed to listen to it and love it, and white people are definitely allowed to learn from it, but we can't just apply all forms of oppression to ourselves because we want to. We must respect that not everything applies to us.

[@AZWADER]

@@Sovairu Never said anything about white people, and yes, I agree that applying this to all systemic oppression is a further extrapolation than applying it to all systemic black oppression (as acknowledged in my original reply), but it's an extrapolation either way nonetheless

[@eyewin7]

She did gave the song justice. I think it makes the point for a caucasian to sing and acknowledge the history of Black people in the USA.

[@vazzav5009]

***** a white person WROTE The song. She has given quite a few interviews where she discusses the meaning of the songs and lynching's specifically. She even mentions lynchings on the liner notes in the CD. Does she have to get a tattoo on her head before you stop being a victim about it?

[@bhudster10]

***** If she appeared to dilute the meaning of the song Rosie, I doubt very much that it was intentional. She's one of the good guys.

[@cyt6658]

***** Yes, but that was ONE interview out of many, surely you can't hold that against her, nitpick and say she whitewashed its original meaning, because according to other interviews, etc (as people have indeed pointed out), she fully acknowledges the song's origins?

[@cush6827]

She is not from the Caucasus.

[@thriftyshadesofgreene5266]

Jadi Nicolas black ppl ALL OVER not just the 🇺🇸

[@triguy5927]

I get that she's white and will never understand the struggles that black people have been through, but that doesn't mean she can't sing against the abuse. It's like saying a straight person shouldn't be allowed to sing against anti-gay hate and discrimination. You can still be emotional about topics that don't affect you or your community.

[@kennatco7916]

Bull! And what the heck do you mean by "doesn't affect you"? Maybe you are the one who has no soul.

[@hlnrc1420]

Maybe, but when you disregard the true meaning of the song (Which is what Annie did) thats not ok, alsoo you compared it to anti-gay hate you are comparing the wrong things.. This song is about someone else's struggles this video would be just as bad if she was singing a song based on the struggles of someone who was gay. Youre saying that if she made content like music that was in SUPPORT of gay people (like what happens often) that it would be fine, if she made a song that was in support of black people it would too but thats not whats happening here, shes making lucrative off the suffering of many, and the suffering she nor the people who look like her dealt with

[@hlnrc1420]

You support singing against abuse, that is not what is going on here at least not blatantly

[@kennatco7916]

Richel Spencer I'll bet you aren't even a musician. Most musicians believe in the unity of humankind. Every person's struggle is my struggle. Bug off with all your devisiveness, please.

[@hlnrc1420]

Ken Natco The fact that i actually am.. I am 1000% against people singing about struggles that are not theirs, To say "every persons struggle is my struggle" or "Most musicians believe in the unity of humankind" is the most pretentious thing I've ever heard to mask underlying racism.. There is no integrity nor honor to the struggle when Annie doesnt for one even give the song context/backstory and also when she doesnt know what its like to live with the effects and aftermaths of lynching, the song is presented in a way that people dont know where it came from, that strips the song from its honor dont come here with this "Most musicians" bullshit

[@williamorleans1]

Annie Lennox has a way of making every song her own...

[@margarethandasyde8652]

Very emotional and respectful performance with the saddest accompanying music I've ever heard. A tribute to black Americans and to Lennox herself.

[@rogeriosousa9474]

Annie cantou com a alma aqui Cantou com respeito Cantou com sentimentos verdadeiros Essa versão consegue passar a dor que essa música carrega. Obrigado, Annie Você fez isso com muito respeito.❤

[@inspirationalroots4050]

The most you can get is empathy. But there will never be a full understanding of the true pain endured. I only wished that more non-blacks empathized with the struggle.

[@codacreator6162]

That's true. The only people who could possibly feel all of the pain and fear of the event that inspired this song are the two young black men who were lynched. But, I think you do a great disservice to the struggle for equality by anyone when you denigrate the effort of those who do empathize. We can't achieve equality for any group by limiting its struggle to itself. Sort of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

[@ZanilSingsToo]

I am a black female and while I understand some of my brothers and sisters being upset I do not agree. We ask for compassion and for the majority to speak up and speak out against their peers that are racist and have done horrible things and I can accept this as that. I understand both sides but I think we can all agree she sounds beautiful and her singing this song may have gotten this message and lesson in history to white Americans that otherwise wouldn't have ever been exposed to this song. Life is hard enough being black in America lets not make it more difficult by creating enemies in people trying to be allies or if not allies at least someone from the outside saying "what was done to you was wrong"

[@ProwlingTiger1]

We can't change the past unfortunately, and in all human history there were many wrong things that should never of happened and people need to let go of the past in the sense of they need to stop using wrongs of the past as reasons to keep hate going, there are feuds and hates that go back hundreds and even thousands of years ago that are still going today- why? because people keep such things alive and going, they fuel it, so people need stop the "well 200 years ago, your people did this so i am going to keep hating them and you for it", "oh yeah, well 300 years your people did that and we will keep hating you for that". How bout letting hate for the sake of hate go? The wrongs of the past sadly- happened and I just as much as anyone, wishes the power to go back and change those wrongs existed but it doesn't, the one thing that people do have power over is the present and future, learn from those wrongs and do one's best to ensure those wrongs are never repeated again and I can hear some people saying "er some wrongs got repeated a lot", correct, they did, can't deny or argue that but same lack of power to change it issue applies because its past, instead focus on where and what you do have the power to change. Yes by all means look at the past but not as means to keep hate going but as a means to learn from, and when someone from the other side does stand up and says- "yes what happened in the past was indeed wrong", don't hate them for it or think "oh what would you know about it", they are standing up because they don't want wrongs of past repeated again either, work with them to cause positive change for the present and future, the thing people do have control over, the future is whatever people make it, make it fair and good and happy and positive.

[@RuffianTux]

@@ProwlingTiger1 Very well said! There have been feuds among humans for thousands of years for everything from perceived superiority to minor personal indiscretions which impact generations. We shouldn't forget or rewrite history but we don't have to keep living in it either.

[@christopherlundgren3499]

Thank you 😔

[@lyriqmorrisvlogs3756]

Dang I'm finna delete my comment you worded that perfectly and you totally changed my outlook on the situation thank you for that 🙏🙏🙏 ❤

[@kpire6066]

The song is devastating. I'd never heard it in it's entirety. I think you've beautifully addressed the controversy and redirected in a loving way. Love is the way. I'm touched by the song and it's deep representation and inherent pain. Blessings. ☮️💖

[@lenniewatson687]

Another magnificent rendition of a very moving song. Annie has an awesome voice and sang this with all the emotion attributed to the piece. Billie was smiling down on you Ms. Annie!!🥰🥰

[@kamiyahmusgrove1976]

I think it was great and I am black. If it was sang as a joke that was rude but it wasn't it is ok bc she is singing it with empathy we are better than that stop with the crazy and that is with ALL ethnic groups empathy look it up

[@Chelnieto]

I believe that a Jewish man had actually written this song. It's a sad and beautiful song regardless of if it's a black or white woman singing it. Let's not make it about race.

[@jwalt8019]

You are absolutely correct. The song was written by a Jewish man by the name of Abel Meeropol. I can appreciate Annie Lennox's version but Billie Holiday's version resonates with me more. Regardless of who sings the lyrics, the image (s) of the "Strange Fruit" will always haunt me.

[@1Dispretty2me]

CEN1386 you can't make something so saturated in race not be about race

[@hatsunemikuspet]

+1Dispretty2me thank you

[@1Dispretty2me]

Black Goddess I gotch you girl. Its amazing how blind and sheep like the world is in 2015....but then again look at poor Ahmend Mohammed and Natasha Mchenna

[@scarletc.7055]

+CEN1386 He wrote it as a protest poem. It was not a strange sight to see Jews and African Americans working together for civil rights back into the 30's. He put it to music and his wife, a white woman, sang it first but I believe he gave it to Billie Holiday to record. Nina Simone does a much different version. It is great (never like Billie or Annie for me) but great.

[@Love-Within]

um. why doesn't this have more views? this woman is a genius!

[@DionIvel]

Everybody knows her from Eurythmics (Sweet Dreams), but so less know about her solocareer. I can´t understand that too.

[@quintonwilliams718]

Great job Annie Lennox you can really feel the pain and sorrow in her voice.

[@6BlackWings]

If you knew anything about how much of an advocate Annie Lennox is for human rights and equality, you wouldn't be able to conceive of complaining about her singing this song or her choice of words in talking about it. She's done more in her fight against racism and human oppression than 99.99% of you complainers. Learn to recognize allies when they show themselves to you.

[@lolosmith8340]

Rarely do I feel the need to comment on KZbin, but after reading the comments I feel it is necessary. One, at least research the song before you comment. This powerful song that was sung perfectly by Lady Day was written by Abel Meeropol (a white Jewish teacher). So, your complaints are completely invalid and ridiculous. Annie Lennox is not being disrespectful. I am sure that she understands the importance of the song and is singing it in a respectful way-and she sounds amazing. By the way, just in case you are wondering I am African American. Also, I am a returning college student with the double major of African American Studies and Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies. The lack of understanding of African American culture is widespread in America-in both black and non-black communities. We all need to reeducate ourselves. History books needs to be revised and every minority group needs to be included. That is the only way we will get the whole picture.

[@sorshazombie3980]

This song always makes me cry because I know that this happened to some of my family back when this happened.

[@lant1607]

I honestly don't even mind her singing this song. I just wish she would acknowledge what the song is ACTUALLY about and written for and NOT what SHE WANTS it to be about.

[@lant1607]

Charlie Charlie never questioned her intelligence. Do you know the meaning of the song? Did you actually look at the interviews? Because I HAVE read one of her interviews about the song which is the point of my comment. The song is about lynching black people but she nor you are acknowledging the lynchings. She's singing this because of hurt and pain and whatever other troubles the world is facing today which is basically taking away from the message of the song. She whitewashed it. So I'm feverishly trying to find her point as well as yours.

[@MysticStranger]

I like how she went back and re-emphasized and re-sang the first verse after finishing all three.

[@Fairygrl_TW]

Haunting Song, Sad and chilling. Annie has done an awesome job and made the queen Ms Billie Holiday Proud.

[@lamadrina5384]

Annie Lennox is the queen of her own version ofthis song, written by a jew. it is not a Black song.

[@rebeccamd7903]

This song touches me at the core of my soul & Annie performs it the way my soul knows it. Beautifully done, thanks for doing this historically difficult song justice.

[@dkblack3461]

Musical Goddess still knocking it out of the park after all these years. Beautiful rendition of a heartbreaking song.

[@memphisfred9135]

Thank u Ms. Lennox!! You hear us and you see us. Thank u so much!!

[@TheQueerOfSoul]

#AnnieLennox like I always say, sings the clearest melodies... She's a Scottish queen of soul! Superb vocals. Bless you Annie #NOSTALGIA

[@buchananjudith]

A gorgeous rendition of this poignant song. Hauntingly beautiful!

[@timmadone8930]

Wow....Annie Lennox did such a beautiful job with this. It's such a powerful song. No wonder Siouxsie Sioux decided to cover it.

[@Angbwillinspireu]

I love Anne Lennox. She was the show stopper at the Grammys; a real entertainer. Her duet with Hozier was priceless. I don't care who sings this song, as long as each generation hears it; lives the lyrics and educate themselves on world atrocities, old or new. Strange Fruit, Hanging Tree; One hundred years ago my ancestors were in Europe fighting Germans-whom they never had a grudge with, only to return home to the South to the worst race riots in 1919 here in America-a country my African American ancestors have been apart of since the 1600s( my daughter is a descendant of both Edward Mozingo and Elizabeth Key Grinstead, first generation African Americans). The 21st century, i.e. 2014 has brought this song back to the forefront with Black/White violence, homophobia and just plan ignorance towards tolerance of our fellow man. So saaang Anne sang. The only difference with today's interpretation of this song today is the title would be called Strange fruit in the Killing fields, because today racism is more underground and it is more widespread.

[@vazzav5009]

Annie: "A song like Strange Fruit, you can't just go there and sing it, it's a dark song, it's addressing the issue of lynching in the deep south. But the issue of racism, the issue of violence of man's inhumanity towards our common brotherhood, is as relevant today as it ever was." www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-29129566

[@creepydoll6023]

Such Dumb Comments.. As A Black Male.. I Thank Her For Singing This Song💯 I Feel She Experienced Pain In Her Life B4, In Order To Sing This

[@lisastein7041]

I am grateful to Annie Lennox for bring this song out of past and back to the light of day. I grew up listening to Billie Holiday's music and never heard this one. I wish it was playing on main stream radio because more people need to hear it.

[@Rajah817]

she did Lady Day Justice! Great Job Mrs. Lenox.

[@ternitamas]

Oh my! I think this'll be my favorite from this album...

[@dforenkid2]

Southern trees bear strange fruit Blood on the leaves and blood at the root Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees Pastoral scene of the gallant south The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh Then the sudden smell of burning flesh Here is fruit for the crows to pluck For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop Here is a strange and bitter crop

[@charlesbarry2485]

I had no idea that she was capable of this kind of singing. Billie would have been proud.

[@veronicaalleyne]

Annie's voice is like a warm embrace & her respect for the material comes through so strongly for me in her rendition, handled as gently as a baby bird, thank you, Annie I am made better just for having heard you sing in my lifetime

[@alexstuhldreher7266]

Huge Lennox fan. I only know of a handful that can control a vocal like a blade over stone, emotion, rawness that is truly take this as you will it's leave out just the same, but she always leaves you feeling something. I think this track is following suit yet undoubtedly similar to the feel of "Gloomy Sunday" and no one else better to pass that baton to than the one who can draw blood from a turnip...so to speak. Kudos and love the girl!

[@gasparucciox9706]

she 's such a great singer

[@justlilyanne]

I just downloaded the CD - amazing work! thank you Miss Lennox!

[@lashley00472]

She has a beautiful voice. She is only giving her interpretation of what the songs mean to her. In doing so doesn't make it wrong.

[@rayb8683]

As a person from lower caste community in India, i can relate so much to black community because our people face the same struggles even today, this type of incidents, discrimination (honor killings) still happen in rural(66%) areas and people act like discrimination doesn't exist.. especially people in cities act like it's all sunshine and roses everywhere just because they see it that way from where they are. My people still enter the gutter, sewages without any proper protection and government doesn't give them proper equipment because they dont think their life is that important.. their families also face health problems because of that.. A lower caste person was killed in because he was riding a horse on his wedding day.. sickens me 😓 this is just few of the problems.. Just want all this to end. p.s Am not saying all upper caste/white people are bad I have many friends and they are nice its just some percentage who have sick mentality of discrimination links: www.google.com/amp/s/www.ndtv.com/india-news/dalit-man-killed-in-gujarat-for-riding-horse-says-police-1830867%3famp=1&akamai-rum=off www.indiatimes.com/news/india/11-major-incidents-of-violence-against-dalits-which-show-how-badly-we-treat-them-258944.html

[@fioregiallo]

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I'm just... So sorry. I don't understand why humans are like this.

[@alexiszuri5864]

Omg beautiful . Thank you so much for your honor Annie. ❤️

[@radiogirl6859]

I absolutely forgot about her voice (was a fan of hers from the 80s) and was caught off guard...wow.

[@natkatmac]

We are all brothers and sisters. This is a great cover.

[@_CrissoN]

You do realize that this song was written by a poet called Abel Meeropol (a Russian Jewish immigrant), right? It doesn't matter who performs it, what matters is the message

[@askholes69]

omg wow this version is Soo Haunting!!!!!!

[@sidneypasquarelli2122]

One of the best female singers of all time! Seen her at a great show!

[@Tyehale2007]

I think she did it more than justice!!!

[@garethharris5834]

LYRICS: Strange Fruit Southern trees bear strange fruit Blood on the leaves Blood at the root Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees Pastoral scene of the gallant south The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth The scent of magnolia sweet and fresh Then the sudden smell of burning flesh Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck for the rain to gather for the wind to suck for the sun to rot for the tree to drop Here is a strange and bitter crop -- Composed by Abel Meeropol (aka Lewis Allan)

[@belsantos2918]

beatiful song, I love how Annie play it.

[@joha1uk87]

Annie Lennox. Living Legend. End of.

[@tammyboxton]

For all of the haters out there... Music is the international language and crosses all color lines. Thank you Sista Annie for continuing in the struggle!

[@hotrodindalou]

Amazing! She has soul! She must be respected. She is a Sister!

[@bohosoul13]

This is a VERY touchy/sentimental song for my people. I can tell she did not approach this song lightly and gave it her full respect and skill. Her voice and vocal range covered it beautifully. Artistically, Billy Holiday would have been pleased.

[@lamadrina5384]

She should have been, correct. It is a Jewish song written by a Jew. It is not a BLACK SONG.

[@TurmoilDot]

@@lamadrina5384You wrote: "It is not a black song". Ok, but it was written FOR them... Why are you angry because of that?

[@MegaMark67]

Beautifully done!! Annie knows full well what this song is about read the liner notes of the album! And stop listening to stupid gossip websites and reporters that don't know what they are talking about.

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

This is just one of those songs that is better left to the originator...it's gutsy enough as a song in itself, but...Billie. I don't think that needs expanding, but damn if I didn't love this. It really takes guts for anyone to take this on.

[@manuelagarcia1284]

Que Voooz!!! Me encanta Annie Lennox Admiradora Desde Colombia :)

[@JackMclaughlinJMACconnect]

Simply Awesome!

[@heatherjohnson3883]

So hauntingly beautiful, Annie Lennox can seriously belt one out. this song contains a message on lynching in the south during the 1870s all the way through to the 1950s and it doesn't matter who sings it, she does this song justice. such an amazing voice.

[@letolethe3344]

Lynching went on through the 70s.

[@EasternCCCorp]

Annie did it justice. Thanks for caring, Salute.

[@joziu6477]

All I see is one human singing about the struggles of other humans.

[@andreumason9341]

no you don't.... If u did you wouldn't say anything or have the need to mention it.

[@eloniherndon4104]

Same

[@viderawashington]

@@andreumason9341 facts

[@dorianadrianoleebraga744]

Deep...well stated!

[@ke83984]

I can see what you see!

[@kimfransen5287]

Listen, annie is a great singer and a great person, She uses her fame to help people in africa. Yes she has a white skin but she says that here skin colour doesn' t make her a better person then a black person. It is good that she coverd this song becouse more people will hear it now and mayebe will understand eatchother better. So stop arguing about this. I am 15 years old ans i love her as a person and singer. Now i know this song and i understand these people better I REALY DO! So please stop this, and enjoy this beautiful song and beautiful cover. Beleve me she knows what she' s doing

[@kimfransen5287]

Excuse me for mine Englisch, but i am not a Englisch or American person

[@carlospadilla9487]

I love her version,very emotional!

[@mikeluke9404]

I am white but believe you me this song moves me beyond anything I ever heard in my ENTIRE life. Shame on any person who does not feel the sheer horror of this magnificent piece of work. Peace to you all.

[@3mi3mi]

I see a lot of negative comments about this white woman singing a song about racism... but it was a white man who wrote the song. He probably never was discriminated against, nonetheless he was very strongly opposed to racism, and it motivated him to write this song, which was his way of protesting what was happening at that time towards African Americans. Paul McCartney wrote "Blackbird" as a response to the Civil Rights Movement. It is a reassuring song, his way of telling African Americans that he was on their side. He is white, but felt very strongly about injustice. Perhaps this lady feels the same way. She didn't have to cover this song, yet she did. Maybe she feels that this message is still relevant today.

[@Shenorai]

Look into Annie Lennox's SING campaign. There is a lot of injustice that she stands against.

[@treebear8364]

I think the problem started when Lennox explained that the struggle and pain of the song could be applied to anyone which completely destroys the message of the song. Meeropol specifically talked about lynching of black people. He wrote it so people can relate with the struggle and pain that black people were going through but for annie to come out and say that this struggle applies to everyone seemed kind of wrong to me.

[@whatreallymatters571]

+tree bear Yep it was just a way for her as a white women to try and put herself in the struggle which most white still do today and are doing on these comments.

[@shaynarodericks914]

Emilia Lopez, of course "the white man" was discriminated against"!!!!!! He was Jewish. Jews r discriminated. What do u know?

[@hasanitaylor3548]

Come ON!!!!!! To my black "cousins" who have had negative comments about this performance, WE CANNOT OVERCOME RACISM BY BEING PREJUDICED!!!!! The Underground Railroad was so masterful in its execution because of Blacks and Whites using their combined ingenuity to move thousands of slaves from the South to the North and Canada. To say that Annie Lenox can't sing this because "you put us up there" is just as (I would say ignorant here but that would not be true) STUPID as saying all black males are thugs and all black females are hoes. Spend your time and energy on uplifting your "cousins" around you rather than castigating an extremely successful artist who will probably never see your idiotic statements in the first place. Brava Ms. Lenox!!!

[@whatreallymatters571]

It's not that. It's that this song is for black people and should be sung by black people. All the people saying that her version is good are also full of shit. This version is horrible. She should not be singing it not because of those people who say oh she put us there but just because it wasn't meant for her to sing.

[@trimmedlamp]

Do some research. A white man wrote the song. See my comment.

[@truemagic8097]

WhatReallyMatters so then with that mentality, the song should never have been written then since a white man wrote it. Just embrace the fact that there are so many more white people who hurt for you and stand up for you then those that don't. Embrace that this white woman sang this song in support of you and stop bashing her. Until we ALL work together as one, nothing will change so stop pushing people away that want to help. Those that bash white people for standing up are just as bad as the white people who don't support you in this. js

[@badlandsghost]

@@trimmedlamp that white man wrote it for black people in response to the lynching of two black men

[@cinemacola6398]

@whatreallymatters Okay, so it wasn't for black people to sing then based on your idiotic and racist comment because it was written by a white man, so only white people can sing it. See how stupid your logic is? Please tell me you do.

[@sophiesophie6759]

I just saw the film on Billie Holiday yesterday and discover this incredible song. In France it is completely unknown ! Jeff Bucklet interpretation is also amazing !!! Love to share with you !

[@anobletone]

I love how she didn’t make this about herself. Ive seen so many offensive renditions of this where the singer creates some sort of caricature and indulges in the grief of the song in an over the top theatrical way, as if they’re singing a fictional aria. Just irks me. She approaches it with respect and has deference for the composition and the harrowing subject. Well done.

[@darylesells19]

Just came from Billie Holiday's version. Both are haunting...

[@alicesteanson4097]

So many negative racist comments.. Yes Annie is white with a voice to die for and yes the greatest white soul singer ever. She sang this song beautifully and her way... Get the fuck over it because if it were a black woman singing this I'm sure there would be less racism. Stop the hating!

[@allisonmoores7998]

This is the best version of this song I've ever heard. Doesn't matter what colour you are. black,.white, yellow or green. No petty comments can take away the power and emotion in Annie Lennox voice or performance. I can't think of anybody else that could do this song justice or better than this version. Epic!!

[@whatreallymatters571]

There are no racist comments the very fact that you even typed that bs up shows how white people just shouldn't be singing this song or songs like it. It's not meant for you and your comment proves it so of course there would be less criticism if it was sung by a black women as it has been because that is the way it should be sung, by black people.

[@whatreallymatters571]

It's also really ironic that you can try to scream out racism on this particular song.

[@whatreallymatters571]

+Allison Moores How about the original singer? Billie Holiday who knew what she was actually singing about.

[@alicesteanson4097]

+WhatReallyMatters That's racist alone saying a black singer should sing it not a white singer you dumb shit

[@aliciao3075]

I will say I like this version, and as many others have pointed out....you can see her conviction. The song resonates differently when sung by an artist who is of African American descent because of the pain and trauma we carry related to racism. And before anyone jumps on my comment and says that no one alive today has experienced what the lyrics represent.....do your research beforehand. The raw emotion/pain/anger/frustration that Billy Holiday and Nina Simone portrayed while singing these lyrics comes from a totally different place when you have experienced racism firsthand. MY OPINION! I will not say she can’t sing the song because I know the poem was written by a Jewish man who visited the South and felt conviction for the way AA were (& in some cases still are) being treated....I will say, that even he couldn’t portray the trauma and pain Billy and Nina did.

[@natebutala4854]

Absolutely amazing, and especially pertinent given recent events. Special thanks to NPR for introducing this to me during today's "Morning Edition"!