How Billie Holiday offered comfort during the war
by Moneyofficeteam 7 April 2024 · Holiday
(Credits: Far Out / William P. Gottlieb)
During times of societal hardship, music can provide a source of comfort. Although art doesn’t offer up a weighty match for the potential trauma of subjects like war, certain sounds or albums can give a glimpse of hope and respite when it is needed the most. During the Second World War, Billie Holiday served up this powerful beacon of solitude with ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’, which captured the profound emptiness of yearning for a loved one, serving as a powerful beacon of solitude during times of turmoil.
Despite her trials and troubles, Lady Day gave as good as she got. Once in hospital with cirrhosis, Holiday received a visit from the police, who wanted to arrest her for possession of heroin, even though she was on her deathbed. This scene depicts a tragic picture of a fallen star who became, in the words of civil rights figure James Baldwin, “Produced and destroyed by the same society.” Holiday poured her soul into healing the wounds of society and comforting those who knew what it was like to feel loss, but she was met with mere indifference even in her darkest moments.
As a musician, Holiday was a phenomenal force of nature. Her voice, raw and emotive, gave jazz its spark back, igniting a path for other passionate humanitarians to follow suit. ‘Strange Fruit’, for instance, remains one of the most influential songs in history as a powerful stance against racial injustice. As a result, Holiday played a pivotal role in catalysing the inception of the civil rights movement by shedding light on the deplorable conditions in the southern states.
Between 1939 and 1945, Holiday experienced significant commercial success following the release of ‘God Bless the Child’ and ‘Trav’lin’ Light’, establishing herself as one of the best vocalists of the era. This also, of course, coincided with World War II, which placed a heavy importance on escapist art forms like music. Soldiers and civilians looked to music as a tool to foster a collective spirit of resilience and determination.
Upon its release, ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ became associated with the experiences of soldiers and their loved ones during the war when themes of longing, separation, and hope resonated deeply with those affected by the conflict. Although it was initially written for the 1938 Broadway musical comedy Right This Way, Holiday’s version in 1944 became popular for its authentic tenderness.
Holiday’s vocal, in particular, lifts the song to a hard-hitting place filled with nostalgia and longing as she drifts with little effort over the sombre notes. Despite the sadness it evokes, the song offers a glimmer of hope in the crucial line: “I’ll be seeing you”. Although simple, these words echo positivity and optimism during a time when it was needed the most. ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ offered a reminder that, despite the challenges of war, there was a possibility of being reunited with loved ones once it was over.
For many, finding a connection to their friends and family was key, and songs like ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ served as a bridge across distance and time, transporting them to moments of togetherness. While some recognised the bittersweet reality, the song provided a canvas for dreams to flourish. Even though physical reunions might remain elusive, they discovered solace in the memories and emotions evoked by the music, finding comfort as they gazed at the moon, envisioning a brighter outcome.
