About the song
“Gloomy Sunday” is a timeless classic that encapsulates the melancholy of lost love and the haunting depths of despair. Recorded by the iconic Billie Holiday, this haunting melody has left an indelible mark on the annals of music history.
Composed by Hungarian pianist and composer Rezső Seress in 1933, “Gloomy Sunday” gained immense popularity, albeit controversially, due to its rumored association with a string of suicides, earning it the moniker “The Hungarian Suicide Song.” Despite its morose reputation, the song’s poignant lyrics, penned by Hungarian poet László Jávor, convey a universal sentiment of heartache and longing.
Billie Holiday’s rendition of “Gloomy Sunday,” featured on her album “Billie Holiday Sings,” showcases her unparalleled vocal prowess and emotive depth. Released in 1941, Holiday’s interpretation of the song resonated deeply with audiences, solidifying her status as one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time.
Despite facing censorship in some countries due to its perceived dark themes, “Gloomy Sunday” climbed the charts, reaching notable positions in various music rankings. Its enduring popularity has led to numerous cover versions by artists across genres, further cementing its legacy in the musical canon.
With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, “Gloomy Sunday” remains a testament to the enduring power of music to evoke profound emotions and transcend cultural boundaries. Billie Holiday’s rendition stands as a timeless masterpiece, continuing to captivate listeners with its raw emotional resonance and haunting beauty.
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Lyrics
Sunday is gloomy
My hours are slumberless
Dearest the shadows
I live with are numberless
Little white flowers
Will never awaken you
Not where the black coach
Of sorrow has taken you
Angels have no thoughts
Of ever returning you
Would they be angry
If I thought of joining you
Gloomy Sunday
Gloomy is Sunday
With shadows I spend it all
My heart and I
Have decided to end it all
Soon there’ll be candles
And prayers that are said I know
Let them not weep
Let them know that I’m glad to go
Death is no dream
For in death I’m caressin’ you
With the last breath of my soul
I’ll be blessin’ you
Gloomy Sunday
Dreaming, I was only dreaming
I wake and I find you asleep
In the deep of my heart here
Darling, I hope
That my dream never haunted you
My heart is tellin’ you
How much I wanted you
Gloomy Sunday