Diana Ross - God Bless The Child (Motown Records 1972)

"God Bless the Child" is a song written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog, Jr. in 1939, first recorded on May 9, 1941 under the Okeh label. Holiday's version of the song was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in (1976). It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Lady Sings the Blues is a 1972 American biographical drama film directed by Sidney J. Furie about jazz singer Billie Holiday loosely based on her 1956 autobiography which, in turn, took its title from one of Holiday's most popular songs. It was produced by Motown Productions for Paramount Pictures. Diana Ross portrayed Holiday, alongside a cast including Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James T. Callahan, and Scatman Crothers.
It was nominated for five Academy Awards. The nominations were for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Diana Ross), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Carl Anderson and Reg Allen), Best Costume Design, Best Music, Original Song Score and Adaptation (Gil Askey) and Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Factual Material or Material Not Previously Published or Produced] The film was also screened at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, but was not entered into the main competition. The film earned an estimated $9,050,000 in North American rentals in 1973.
Motown released a hugely successful soundtrack double-album of Ross' recordings of Billie Holiday songs from the film, also titled Lady Sings the Blues. The album went to number one on the Billboard Hot 200 Album Charts, for the week-ending dates of April 7 and 14, 1973.
In Billie's autobiography Lady Sings the Blues she indicated an argument with her mother over money led to the song. She indicated that during the argument she said the line "God bless the child that's got his own." The anger over the incident led her to turn that line into a starting point for a song, which she worked out in conjunction with Herzog. In his 1990 book Jazz Singing, Will Friedwald indicates it as "sacred and profane" as it references the Bible while indicating that religion seems to have no effect in making people treat each other better. The lyrics refer to an unspecified Biblical verse: "Them that's got shall get, them that don't shall lose, so the Bible says, and it still is news. . . . " This likely refers to Matthew 25:29 or Luke 8:18.
Them that's got shall get
Them that's not shall lose
So the Bible says and it still is news
Mama may have
Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Yea the strong gets more
While the weak ones fade
Empty pockets don't ever make the grade
Mama may have
Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Money you've got lots of friends
Crowding round the door
When it's gone and spending ends
They don't come no more
Rich relations give
A crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But don't take too much
Mama may have
Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own

[@TheRobinRedbreast]

Dianna Ross should have gotten an Academy Award for her performance in this movie. It is decades later since the movie first came out and her performance still stands up and rings true. SHE IS AWESOME in this movie.

[@hebrewsRus]

I agree..i still get in my feelings when i watch this movie..

[@Zeldarw104]

I concur! The academy gave the Oscar to Liza Minnelli for that terrible movie Cabaret! This film and the songs are classic, talk about getting cheated.😔

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Zelda Williams cheated and mistreated! The academy Awards are rigged! Fake news I love WikiLeaks can't get enough of it. The fat man has spoken LOL

[@sarnahudane4583]

@@Zeldarw104 Hollywood insiders voting for their favorites, no doubt Liza's link to her famous showbiz mother and father had some effect on votes going in her favor, and plus this was 1972, post Civil Rights Acts of 1964 & 1968, America was still racist as hell. Diana Ross was robbed of that Oscar.

[@Mr7galvin]

I said the same thing.

[@kentallen3857]

The Academy should give awards for past losses. To those that should have won. Diana Ross should be the first recipient.

[@solovoyager]

@@taylorharris1796 Whoopie earned that award.

[@AndreaTAndreaT]

Don't Forget About Dorothy Dandridge As Carmen Jones Who Certainly Deserved The Academy Award!!

[@CandorCandor]

Finally someone TALKING THE TRUTH... we all know why🙄. She won that night 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🙌

[@guywill7875]

how she did not win the academy award for this film is beyond me

[@wandawong]

Answer: Liza Minnelli for "Cabaret" ...an equally amazing performance.

[@davedvlaries7764]

At the time, even Liza stated publicly that she was sure Diana would win. There was some guilty conscience element at work in the voting that year too. Judy Garland's loss for _A Star Is Born_ in 1954 (to Grace Kelly in _The Country Girl_ ) is alleged to be the closest race that didn't end in a tie. It was too late in 1973 to right things with Garland, but now her daughter was eligible.

[@wandawong]

I agree. I'm positive Liza was as moved by Diana's achievement, as was everyone else. However, Liza's modest remarks aside, both of those women gave the performances of their lives, that year. The award could have gone to either.

[@brownin329]

No one even remembers Liza's movie. So much for that performance of her life.

[@wandawong]

Everyone who saw Liza's performance, remembers it and treasures the impact of it, especially those who experienced it in its time.

[@elfman5176]

Love Diana and this is a great movie.

[@elfman5176]

Agreed

[@candy4428]

Best movie

[@chadfolzenlogel8739]

As soon as I saw Ross's name, on a cover of Billies, I knew she'd kill it.

[@classanddignity]

Diana Ross can sing everything except opera. I mean sing it WELL and kept to the authenticity of the music. There is no other R&B or POP singer that can say that.

[@blackmore4]

Personally, I'm glad a vocal genius like Ross's wasn't wasted on flipping opera ;)

[@christineharris2199]

Money you got lots of friends.. facts

[@joel8583]

But after you're broke, they're gone. Facts

[@benjaminevans4856]

classanddignity Whitney Houston could do all that AND opera so 💁🏾‍♂️

[@anthoneymcrae]

One name.... Aretha... check her out... was asked to perform in his place by none other than Andrea Bocelli due to his illness. She performed outstandingly...

[@perceocornejo2853]

Billie Holiday forever!

[@christineharris2199]

Love this tune here

[@monicabella7894]

Lady Day ♥️ The greatest singer that ever has graced this earth.

[@paulryder1204]

@@monicabella7894 true.there will never be another Billie.

[@beatriceolivier8438]

I honestly think she's one of the most beautiful people 😍. I'm only 12.

[@indevelopment3050]

Only 12? What dat means?

[@samthesham5294]

In Development That Means they are 12 and can see a beautiful woman..and what does "dat" mean? Its THAT not DAT no such word.

[@silviafigueroa8813]

You're only 12 and you have really good taste .Beautiful

[@bubblelishsous]

Yes she is

[@mylangrant6587]

Well no lies

[@emmanuelvandorn9602]

Diana Ross won Oscar for Lady Sings The Blues her performance was Superb! No way Liza Minnelli should have won that Oscar!

[@RichardByrd-rx7xt]

Cicely Tyson was the best actress, she was robbed.

[@kentallen3857]

As the press release stated during it's original release, "Diana Ross is Billie Holiday".

[@woolfnotes]

How on earth could they have made a film about Billie Holiday without mentioning Lester Young?

[@seapeace8959]

MY brother purchased this soundtrack album for my birthday and I've LOVED it tremendously. I was WAY too YOUNG to have seen the film at the time but I've collected everything you can imagine about this film AND the Legendary DIANA ROSS!

[@Zeldarw104]

SEA PEACE my goodness sounds similar to my experience with the movie & soundtrack. I begged my mother for the album I was so young & captive by Billy Dee Williams & Diana Ross. I have so many wonderful, memories, attached, to this period in my young-life. ☺

[@JanDurgen]

Diana's singing in this movie was epic!!!! And these lyrics are very wise. Beautifully done by Diana Ross, à fave of mine from a kid♡♡♡♡♡

[@mariejones8245]

I hope they don't remake this one! I don't think anyone could portray Billie Holiday as Diana Ross did! Love the movie and the music! My current mood!

[@victordunson719]

Marie Jones Audra McDonald can any day of the week

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Marie Jones if they do make it over it's going to be a big flop. I can see it now Rihanna in lady sings the blues NOT IN MY NIEBORHOOD. BECAUSE NO TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME TO DO A REMAKE OF LSTB. THAT'S RIGHT BECAUSE YOU AIN'T NOTHING AND YOUR NEVER GONNA BE NOTHING BECAUSE U DON'T GO MESSIN AROUND WITH BIG BEN! THAT'S RIGHT HEY GET BACK IN THERE. OOPS ALMOST GOT CAUGHT BY THE POELICE IN MY LONG JOHNS LOL!

[@gbengaartsmith1472]

Andra Day will make a decent attempt at doing a good job. My opinion.

[@keeploc34]

Andra Day : someone hold my cup Lee Daniels : BILLIE HOLIDAY VS THE UNITED STATES ... action Marie Jones :

[@keeploc34]

@@arnoldamaral7406 Andra Day : shit hold my cup

[@paulettereid4004]

LOVE THIS PICTURE! IT DID DESERVE THE ACADEMY AWARD!!!!

[@albertwoods3921]

they just don't make music like this anymore it sounds is good today as they did when I was a kid

[@lorixavier7199]

I totally agree. I thought that she was so good and lady sings the blues for being the first movie she was ever in. She was fantastic. She should’ve won the Oscar.

[@vdxx]

Perfect voice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@joel8583]

It couldn't possibly be any better !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@juliebergacker5680]

What a fantastic singer

[@minniecarter8954]

Brilliant Performance and Wonderful Tribute to Billie Holiday. I have the original movie soundtrack on vinyl, and have sung "God Bless the Child" many times in concerts. Love Diana Ross #FanforLife.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Minnie Carter you go girl!

[@lucky4724]

Your name sound familiar, where were your concerts?? I may have been to one !!! JAZZ & BLUES LOVE 4LIFE!!! #RESPECT

[@johnettamontgomery5937]

Wat can I say wen u got it u just got it... She is her OWN original

[@francorossville7359]

The Great, the one and only, Ms DIANA ROSS !

[@user-wd3ed2gq8m]

Diana Ross did an awesome job with Billie holiday song❤😊

[@Dion_Mustard]

I can't believe I haven't seen this movie yet and I've been a fan of Ms Ross for many years. The only thing I'd say is that Billie Holliday's voice was very different. She sang from deep profound pain and heart ache. Diana Ross couldn't relate to that. But that's testimony to how talented she is because she could create that character without feeling the pain that Billie did.

[@beckyyeagersmith7252]

thx to Diana Ross' interpretation of Billie Holiday I LEARNED an entire songbook. I much prefer her voice to Holiday's (per era) #TheWiz

[@stephenwilliamson9051]

It's the JAM 😊❤❤

[@joeschneider5609]

Beautiful and talented .

[@lonajohnsondaunoy6092]

Lyrics are all so relevant. God bless you. That's got his own. Beautiful S🎵 pray 🙏

[@kandorstevenson]

Beautiful soundtrack. Miss Ross is amazing in this film. Seen it quite many times too.

[@caraceleste6904]

Yea she is that "gifted" because she was always listening

[@RaptorFromWeegee]

Saw this film for the first time at 10, in Colorado, summer of `74. Saw it with my dad who'd been around during the time she was an active performer.

[@davidconcepcion7286]

Dianna Ross is amazing in this movie! Even though it was not a great representation of Bullies life!xxxo

[@Gillian12326]

I love this whole movie , it reminds me so much of my Mum Dad who are no longer with us. Xxx

[@stevecantu1216]

I cried several parts of that movie it's very touching it's all about those Stars career and their ups and downs Diana Ross should have won an academy award for her performance and lady sings the blue 💙💙💙 The Life and times of Billie holiday

[@ishmaelhuggins1388]

Outstanding vocal performance!

[@NMarceloP]

Amazing!!

[@clarissausallis6377]

This movie I can watch over and over. It's me more ways than one.

[@edpoe4591]

No one else could be Billie Holiday ❤️

[@stephenwilliamson9051]

So true😊

[@AlkalineInsides]

I remember the first time watching this movie in maybe 2001. I was 14 I believe.-- once this scene arrived of her singing I ended up with pure chills for some reason.

[@paulettereid4004]

The best Movie ever!!! You should have got that Academy !

[@karenstewart1265]

I love the way Miss Diana Ross sings this gorgeous song. I love this movie, the songs in it and I love her. What a singing icon she is!!! Brilliant Movie!!! 🎶 💝💿🎥😍

[@nancybreaux9684]

What they know about beautiful talented Diana Ross?

[@carltonboyd1609]

Beautiful song for a beautiful lady

[@JuneLynn]

Diana's greatest performance was playing Billie Holiday.....she was just WONDERFUL ~ 💜 ✨✨❤️

[@joel8583]

One of the damn best ever!!

[@pulsepointsnet1982]

Truth Of The Matter ThankYou ALMIGHTY

[@reneehurt387]

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Lady Sings the Blues 2022 is the 50th anniversary. Diana Ross will always be an Oscar nominee for her performance

[@jeanniehughes1761]

I seen this film when I was 20 and i had always loved Billy coming from the New Orleans to Cali as a young woman I experienced education drugs and money and awaken to life even got to meet help in a strange place were Ms Holiday was taken in cali when her and Piano man was killed thru the suffering I had to come to terms to live but I was a writer and Ms Holiday was and is timeless Goddess who will be forever it very heartbreaking to have than there is no one but u and your pain they hunted her even in her death bed what a horrible world we liv in as the world stood by as the Jewish people was murdered even the Catholics church I soon discover had a hand in this God will make it right in the end

[@ronaldwbland123]

Fell good music

[@Mr7galvin]

My baby. Diana Ross.

[@AmberDiva79]

This song is so beautiful ❤️

[@user-dt2ig3fb7n]

Love this movie LADY SINGS THE BLUES❤❤

[@anitaloyd9999]

Thank you for sharing the world and teaching the meaning of love to the world.

[@mauricecooper9742]

Classic

[@upgrade9996]

Such soft and Feminine vibes in this voice and song !

[@user-jr7qq5ph3x]

Flawless! 🔥👍

[@nancybreaux9684]

What they don't know will not always hurt them , but it's the unknowing that makes you miss out. Great music. Glad I did not miss out.

[@jonldn]

motown orchestrations of the 70's. sublime

[@Johnjohn-gq3du]

On Mike and Molly Nana sings this with heart and soul.

[@janicezeno1070]

The real truth about having great fame, wealth and good fortune, you soon begin to finally realized that you get very bored because you have everything you need. I found out that the more you have, the more you want which is not good. You develop a addiction to something or someone before you realized it's destroying your life and by that time you don't care about yourself or no one. People who died from addiction or drugs, may in fact see what the real world is all about when you don't have everything that you need until they themselves realizes why they became addicted to something. But some folks like to hide their secrets about their addiction. "I have come to full understanding about what it means to gain the whole world and lose your own soul, it's all emptiness." Perhaps it's you also.💎👸👑😈🔥💯

[@mahoganyflame2000]

Wow

[@RichardByrd-rx7xt]

I don’t concur. The Academy Award should have gone to Cicely Tyson

[@BroccoliBeefed]

Listen to that voice. OMG! Brilliant singing. Much more talented than Billie Holiday could ever have hoped to be

[@brownin329]

Have you lost your mind? Diana Ross is fly but she can't hold Miss Holiday's shoes!

[@lucky4724]

@@brownin329 preach, couldn't carry her purse !!! nothing but LOVE for "LADY DAY" #THEBLUES

[@paulryder1204]

Your talking through your arse

[@elenaconstantinescu7107]

THANKS !

[@anthonyyusef5897]

I'm happy with the Oscar nomination for her screen debut the odds were stacked against her. Liza in Cabaret is an unforgettable performance in a movie that won 8 Oscars that night. However, Diana's biggest competition was Cicely Tyson! who was a seasoned actress and very respected. Some thought if anyone was going to be the first black actress to win best actress how do you give the nod to the newbie... In any event I think Diana's finest work was her interpretations of the song catalog of Lady Day. It made many sit up an take notice of her as a singer in a way that the Supremes stuff couldn't

[@mahoganyflame2000]

❤️

[@minniemcclure9134]

Amen ❤

[@petespearl616]

#LYRICS [Verse 1:] Them that's God shall get Them that's not shall lose So the Bible says And it still is news Mama may have Papa may have But God bless the child That's got his own That's got his own [Verse 2:] Yeah, the strong gets more While the weak ones fade Empty pockets don't Ever make the grade Mama may have Papa may have But God bless the child That's got his own That's got his own [Bridge:] Money You've got lots of friends Crowdin' round the door When it's gone And spendin' ends They don't come no more [Verse 3:] Rich relations give A crust of bread and such You can help yourself But don't take too much Mama may have Papa may have But God bless the child That's got his own That's got his own!

[@221BBakerStreet]

I actually saw this movie at the cinema when it first came out (yeah, I'm that old)...the fact that Diana Ross didn't win an Oscar for this is an absolute travesty. It was one of the rawest, most emotionally draining but brilliant performances I've ever seen.

[@jessicafashionlover2148]

Blame berry Gordy pushing it down ppl throats you can't buy a Oscar and u also have to remember not many blacks were even nominated for Oscars just a handful and also they thought she couldn't play her or act be sure she never acted before lot of bs she was robbed I think Liza won for carabet

[@vincentlamar3541]

In this business,that's sometimes what they do,is they bypass you for the next handdown.Dont get me wrong,I love myself some Barbara Streisand,but we all know that Diana came on very powerful and strong,and our hearts ache for the love the sadness and the tragedy both her and Billie Dee endured throughout this outstanding epic movie.

[@modestograyda5458]

Love this song.

[@dianereynolds3327]

At that time i live in an predominantly all white community and i went to c this movie and the people love it so much Dianna Ross got a standing ovation from the movie i was shock i said she's not even here wow

[@anitaloyd9999]

Sharing the thuth

[@anitaloyd9999]

Thanks again for loving others and sharing your thoughts and you husband love you never forget. Thanks so much for love the people on Earth.

[@EugeneJacquescoley]

OMG!

[@anitaloyd3703]

Do we understand the song and thank you. Peace

[@joel8583]

It depends on what you understand.

[@indevelopment3050]

Even then, we ignorant.

[@pauljohn.zac23]

❤

[@solovoyager]

I saw this movie when I was in my very early teens. I didn't know anything about Billie Holiday, but I was a big Ross fan so I begged my mom to take me to see it. As I watched the movie, Holiday's life went from bad to worse. Near the end of the movie I was happy she made it to Carnegie Hall. Then this scene play and I realized things got even worse for her and she eventually she died at a very young age. Man, I was in a DEEP depression for a week! I still get sad when I see this scene from the movie.

[@anitaloyd3703]

Thank you, do we understand the song, Peace

[@veegreene941]

Anita Loyd yes, I do.. ☮️. That's got his own!

[@TheReturnOfStephan1]

And, remember, this is the SECOND, POP VERSION of the soundtrack! We MUST hear the original jazz version, that freaked out Berry Gordy because Miss Ross sounded too much like Billie Holiday!

[@johans3954]

I am here after Beatifull perform OLIVIA INDONESIAN IDOL 2020

[@godmother.jazz-cleopatra]

she won't hardly show no flesh and always leave it to they imagination!!!

[@godmother.Victoriacharbonette]

nice

[@godmother.Victoriacharbonette]

I can't believe you singing that looking like you all beat up!!!!

[@godmother.Victoriacharbonette]

she serious she don't know how to act

[@godmother.Victoriacharbonette]

I know who your husband is!!nope it ain't Billy d

[@godmother.Victoriacharbonette]

we don't come second he worked with a lot of women!!that's devastating

[@Christopher-xn8qk]

Michael Jackson loved this

[@PaganPortals]

Diana Ross discovered the Jackson 5. I discovered freedom through music. Come to the Spunky College of Music and Poetry and discover love.

[@nathaniellollis3868]

Is this video taken from Lady Sings The Blues?

[@miltonthomas7560]

Nathaniel Lollis yes

[@carloscolon1916]

Yes a montage scenes from the movie

[@ijahskyers6107]

Absolutely.. When he walkz in and shutz di door.. He shootz her up, in her arm, with heroin.

[@catperez315]

2018 💋

[@xstanadu]

Agree with so many others … DIANA ROSS was definitely the BEST ACTRESS OSCAR WINNER and should have won . Yes … it was a category of Great actress that year …. Liza Minnelli was excellent in Cabaret and Cicely Tyson brilliant in Sounder . However for me , it was Diana Ross who shined in her first movie role as the Great Billie Holiday ⭐️such a Great movie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Maggie Smith and Liv Ullmann were also excellent .

[@candy4428]

The scene with lipstick is so emotional idk what else to say i can relate!!

[@ritabarber4310]

Legendary

[@godmother.Victoriacharbonette]

She the real lady mahogany!!!

[@godmother.Victoriacharbonette]

listen I gotta stop talking to you these girls be wanting to beat me up

[@MrJunechelle]

Diana played Billie Holiday to the max.

[@godmother.jazz-cleopatra]

hell no Lady mahogany ain't do no dirty magazines!!! I swear to gawd

[@timothypeters3429]

The Oscars became a joke when Diana Ross didnt win in 1972. This performance and soundtrack were Masterpieces.

[@pattyalva381]

You can change and help at Any point in ur life and I will be there when that happens My friend and boyfriends are trying to get a hold of you and I will be watching the show with the kids in scientology okay so be careful and your family is keeping you busy with your family too ok stay gold 🥇🪙

[@godmother.jazz-cleopatra]

18 1973

[@AndreaTAndreaT]

Yes, Diana Deserved The Oscar For Playing Billie Holiday. Even Flo Said So. Well, I Don't Know If She Said That But Florence Ballard Did Say That Diana Did Very Well In This Role. Her First, Right? I Still Haven't Seen The Movie Where She Played The Schizophrenic. I Heard That She Threw Down In That Too. I Like Billie Holiday For Being Billie Holiday. My Baby Gave Me Tickets & I Saw Diana Ross At Rockefeller Center Christmas Time. I Just Marveled @ Her Professionalism.

[@Ronald-hx5ob]

This was miss leading. They did not give the stage performance from the movie, but take out clips from the movie. Only the singing of the song was actual.

[@SWSimpson]

Diana is a great talent, but I'm less than thrilled with this number.

[@pattyalva381]

My new buzz phrase is your si special a creep but a special creep later mega ⭐Mr peeping Tom

[@DrLesiaThePreachasDiviNation]

So me 👁

[@godmother.Victoriacharbonette]

I swear it ain't in them adult

[@zacharyboyd5391]

The music should have won best sound track

[@leedee5581]

Diana sang better than Billie Holiday.... sorry, but true to me! My favorite movie of all time! And, just so you know, I love both Billie first, and then Diana! Always love my Billie Holiday!

[@RichardByrd-rx7xt]

Are you serious, Aretha, Patti, Nancy Wilson, Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves, Dionne Warwick, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Betty Carter, Gloria Lynne, Dinah Washington, Mary Wells, Helen Humes, Carmen McRae, Etta James, could all sing rings around Diana Ross. Just to name a few, there are a whole lot more.

[@divadrrek6412]

Not bad.

[@joel8583]

Is that the best you can do??

[@tonyukkola5341]

Not bad can you do better don't think so