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Billie Holiday, circa 1936

Billie Holiday

Photo: Underwood Archives/Getty Images

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Billie Holiday's "My Man": 5 Facts billie-holidays-my-man-5-facts-you-should-know-grammy-hall-fame

Billie Holiday's "My Man": 5 Facts You Should Know | GRAMMY Hall Of Fame

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From its origins to Broadway and TV ties, learn more about the soulful devotional that showed what the legendary jazz singer was capable of
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Apr 13, 2018 - 4:26 pm

In music, there are hot artists, there are superstars and then there are pioneers. Billie Holiday brought an intimacy, emotion and relevance to the songs she sang, sending ripples of inspiration and cultural impact through the generations to follow. This year, one of her most enduring signature recordings, "My Man," gets its due induction to the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame as part of the class of 2018.

Holiday would go on to be an important voice in both the American jazz revolution and the revolutionary struggle for civil rights. She fronted Count Basie's big band and even went toe-to-toe with Ella Fitzgerald in popularity. Ultimately, she found mainstream success while creating some of the most culturally significant music of its— or of any — time.

In 1937, at age 22, Holiday took "My Man," a song that was by no means new, and breathed a completely new spirit into its form, giving it meaning beyond words and soul beyond sound. To get our heads and hearts in the right place to appreciate this seminal recording, take a look at five facts you may not know about "My Man."

1. French Origins

"My Man" was originally composed in French as "Mon Homme" by Jacques Charles, Channing Pollock, Albert Willemetz and Maurice Yvain. It was copywritten in France in 1920 by Charles and Wilemetz, even though it had been made a hit four years prior by French actress/singer Mistinguett. However, it didn't take long for an English version to emerge. A recording of the song by Fanny Brice for the Broadway revue show "Ziegfield Follies" became a hit in 1921. Over 75 years later, Brice's version was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 1999.

2. Holiday Makes It Her Own

Although the English version was already well known, by the time Holiday got her hands on the song in 1937 she had turned it into a different monster. Gone were the theatrical flourishes and rapid vibrato that the early English versions made palatable for a variety show crowd. Instead, Holiday made the song weep and moan, bringing a decidedly American jazz and blues tilt. Pianist Teddy Wilson and clarinetist Prince Robinson sway gently and tastefully behind Holiday as her unmistakable voice saturates the spaces left by the music with a devoted sorrow, giving the lyrics the weight they deserve.

Brice's aforementioned version remained more popular to the general public, but Holiday's version would have its day. The iconic singer would include the song in several key live recordings years later in the 1950s.

3. Song For The Greats

Holiday might have been the first great American singer to bring us "My Man," but she was far from the last. Many other GRAMMY-winning and -nominated vocalists would record the song. Peggy Lee sang it in 1959 for her I Like Men! album. Barbra Streisand interpreted it for the Funny Girl soundtrack in 1968, a film adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name. Diana Ross also recorded several live versions of the song, and even Etta James tackled the song on her 2001 album, Blue Gardenia.

Other legendary vocalists to honor the song with a performance include Sarah Vaughan and the aforementioned Fitzgerald. While each of these singers brought something special to the composition, Holiday's version arguably remains the benchmark for emotive expression.

4. J. Cole Channels Holiday

Rapper J. Cole built his song "Cost Me A Lot" from his Friday Night Lights mixtape around "My Man," sampling Holiday and looping the lyric that provided the song's title. Cole's version proves the sentiment Holiday was able to express is universal and timeless, even though he approaches the theme of the song from a different angle.

"I don't love no material thing/ but I'm in love with the feelings they bring," Cole raps, using the material interpretation of the line to turn the focus back to a sentimental place, executing a clever spin. Holiday's sped-up voice pokes in between lines in the verse, creating a unique new take on the classic.

5. "My Man" On TV

In 2011 the hit TV Show "Glee" was garnering millions of viewers, due in part to the many fresh versions of classic songs that were delivered to a young audience by a crew of talented young vocalists. One of the show's stars, Lea Michele, delivered her own performance of "My Man," first on the show, and later at MusiCares Person of the Year tribute honoring Streisand.

That same year, singer/songwriter Regina Spektor contributed a version of "My Man" to the soundtrack of "Boardwalk Empire." Spektor's version retains the air of authenticity of Holiday's rendition, but adds some of the musical peaks and valleys suitable for the dramatic narrative of television.

GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Class Of 2018
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Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz

Photo: Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images

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Vote: Which Music Biopic Would You Watch? celia-cruz-bob-marley-billie-holiday-most-anticipated-music-biopic-poll

Celia Cruz, Bob Marley & Billie Holiday: Most-Anticipated Music Biopic | Poll

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From Queen to Curtis Mayfield to Judy Garland, which music biopic would you be most excited to watch?
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jun 8, 2018 - 8:39 am

For the music lover, a great biopic can show the life and career of an artist beyond what can be heard on the record. With some heavy-hitting legends slated to get the biopic treatment soon, music fans and film fans alike have much to look forward to…

Polls

Which legendary artist's biopic would you be most excited to watch?

The music biopic has become an art form all its own, requiring the perfect combination of the actor nailing the portrayal of the artist and the director ensuring the setting of era and scene transport the viewer – it's a tough task, no doubt. With several recent successful music biopics, such as last year's N.W.A tale Straight Outta Compton or this year's Christian group MercyMe film I Can Only Imagine, the stage is set for the next round of great music biographical films.

Bohemian Rhapsody, the Queen biopic starring Rami Malek has a lot of steam behind it, with the movie's trailer premiering earlier this month. The film focuses on the life of iconic Queen frontman Freddy Mercury, and Malek's portrayal – if the trailer is any indication – is chillingly accurate. The film is set to hit theatres Nov. 2.

Back in October of 2017, news surfaced of a biopic on GRAMMY winner Judy Garland featuring actress Renée Zellweger in the leading role. Earlier this year, fans got a sneak peek at Zellweger in character, generating even more buzz for the project. The film, titled Judy, is yet to see an official release date.

Earlier this week, rumors of Andra Day possibly playing Billie Holiday in a new film devoted to the legendary jazz singer's life and career began stirring. Day, a GRAMMY nominee, seems like the perfect fit to capture Holliday's old soul and staggering talent. With Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels ("Empire") at the helm, the project seems to be in real motion.

Few musical icons loom as large as the great Bob Marley. Now, Marley's son Ziggy is working with Paramount Pictures to bring his story to the big screen. While the project is still in the early stages with no writer, director or producers attached, Marley's name has become synonymous with the reggae genre and is beyond deserving of a cinematic telling.

Last month, the film company Endemol Shine North America optioned Celia Cruz' 2005 autobiography for a potential television series with producer/director Kenny Ortega on board. The resulting film would show the Cuban singer, known as The Queen of Salsa, in a whole new light.

GRAMMY-winning legend Lionel Richie acquired rights to the life story of soul-singing legend Curtis Mayfield back in October of 2017, and a definitive biopic is in the works. With Mayfield's widow behind the telling of his story, and Richie primed to work with his family to create an accurate and celebratory depiction, this could be one of the best music biopics yet.

With so much of music and cultural history wrapped in the stories of these artists - from rock to reggae, salsa to soul - which story would you most like to see come to life on the silver screen?

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

GRAMMYs

Peggy Lee

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GRAMMY Museum To Celebrate Peggy Lee At 100 grammy-museum-celebrate-peggy-lees-100th-birthday-panel-featuring-billie-eilish-kd-lang

GRAMMY Museum To Celebrate Peggy Lee's 100th Birthday With Panel Featuring Billie Eilish, k.d. lang & More Plus An Online Exhibit

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The May 26 celebration will honor Lee with a discussion, a birthday toast and the Museum's first exhibit curated for an online experience
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
May 20, 2020 - 5:17 pm

Today the GRAMMY Museum announced Peggy Lee 100th Birthday Celebration, a special event including a panel discussion, birthday toast and virtual exhibit in honor of Peggy Lee's life, music and legacy. The Museum will commemorate the occasion on May 26, which would have been Lee's100th birthday.

The panel discussion and birthday toast will feature Holly Foster Wells, Lee's granddaughter and president of Peggy Lee Associates, LLC; Dr. Tish Oney, author of Peggy Lee: A Century Of Song, GRAMMY winners Billie Eilish and k.d. lang, Eric Burton of the GRAMMY-nominated Black Pumas, and moderator Scott Goldman, plus other panelists who were inspired by Lee.

GRAMMYs

Peggy Lee

The virtual exhibit will display Lee's career milestones and accomplishments from the 1930s through the early 2000s with a variety of never-before-seen rare artifacts. The Museum has been releasing virtual archival exhibits since its closure in light of COVID-19, but this marks the Museum's first exhibit opening digitally and later slated to open in the physical Museum at L.A. Live in spring 2021.

As one of the 20th century's most important musical influences in the world of jazz and popular music, Lee helped redefine what it meant to be a female singer over her seven-decade career. She was involved in every aspect of her performances, from costume to lighting design to directing her career on her own terms. Tony Bennett coined her "the female Frank Sinatra," which she considered one of the highest compliments, and she has been cited as an inspiration by artists such as Adele, Madonna, Diana Krall and more.

Don't miss the Peggy Lee 100th Birthday Celebration panel discussion and virtual exhibit, available Tuesday, May 26, at the Museum's Digital Museum: www.grammymuseum.org

GRAMMY Museum Releasing Archival Never-Before-Seen Content Featuring Bush, The Zombies And More In May

hip hop streaming_010319

Photo: Guillaume Payen/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

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Report: Global Music Sales Hit $19 Billion In 2018 report-global-music-sales-climb-19-billion-2018-nearly-half-streaming

Report: Global Music Sales Climb To $19 Billion In 2018, Nearly Half From Streaming

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A 9.7 percent overall increase marks the highest annual bump in recent history and is led by notable rises in Latin America, Asia and Australia
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Apr 3, 2019 - 4:34 pm

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry has released the new Global Music Report 2019, showing an overall increase in sales of 9.7 percent in 2018. This jump is the highest rate since the IFPI began tracking the market in 1997.

“Last year represented the fourth consecutive year of growth, driven by great music from incredible artists in partnership with talented, passionate people in record companies around the world," said IFPI chief executive Frances Moore. “Record companies continue their investment in artists, people and innovation both in established markets and developing regions that are increasingly benefitting from being part of today’s global music landscape."

The Global Music Report 2019 is the definitive guide to the state of the recording industry worldwide. Read it now https://t.co/ZvNxTne15C#GlobalMusicReport pic.twitter.com/Z9BHOjDxwu

— IFPI (@IFPI_org) April 2, 2019

Streaming, which we know was ruled by rap and hip-hop in 2018, accounted for 47 percent of all income, according to IFPI. This reflects a 34 percent growth from 2017, illustrating there is no slowing in streaming's proliferation among consumers. The gap continues to widen between streaming and previous format titans such as physical music, which saw a 10.1 percent decline in revenue, and digital downloads, which dropped by 21.2 percent.

The fastest growing region, according to the report, is Latin America, which saw a big pickup especially in Brazil and Mexico. Asia and Australia came in as the second largest region for combined physical and digital revenue.

The K-pop explosion was also represented in the report, with an 18 percent rise in music sales in South Korea, which can be credited to breakout years from groups such as BTS and BLACKPINK. 

IFPI's full "State Of The Industry" report can be read here.

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Nina Simone

Nina Simone

Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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2019 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced nina-simone-tom-petty-recordings-among-2019-grammy-hall-fame-inductions

Nina Simone, Tom Petty Recordings Among 2019 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Inductions

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Aerosmith, Miles Davis, Fats Domino, Ella Fitzgerald, Dolly Parton, Frank Sinatra, and more also included in the 25 recordings in this year's Hall Of Fame class
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jan 24, 2019 - 7:30 am

The Recording Academy has announced the inductees for the 2019 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame. The list of 25 recordings includes works by Aerosmith, Miles Davis, Fats Domino, Ella Fitzgerald, Dolly Parton, Tom Petty, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, and more.

This year's class represents a diverse range of both singles and album recordings at least 25 years old that exhibit qualitative or historical significance. From Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" to Davis' 'Round About Midnight. The highly reputed list also features Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book, Brenda Lee's "Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree," Parton's "Coat Of Many Colors," Simone's "To Be Young, Gifted And Black," Petty's Full Moon Fever, The Platters' "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," and Domino's "I’m Walkin’."

Other inductees include recordings by Leonard Bernstein, Jackson Browne, Leonard Cohen, El Jarocho, W.C. Handy, Miriam Makeba, Curtis Mayfield, Edward Meeker With The Edison Orchestra, Charlie Parker’s Ri Bop Boys, Jaco Pastorius, Jeannie C. Riley, Sonny Rollins Quartet Featuring John Coltrane, Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Troggs, Sarah Vaughan, and Link Wray & His Ray Men.

"The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame is proud to be a pillar of musical excellence and diversity year after year, honoring some of the most iconic recordings of all time," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "We are proud to acknowledge the ever-changing landscape and evolution of musical expression for which the Academy has become known. We’re honored to add these masterpieces to our growing catalog and are delighted to celebrate the impact they’ve had on our musical, social, and cultural history."

Each year recordings are reviewed by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. With 25 new titles, the Hall, now in its 46th year, currently totals 1,088 recordings and is on display at GRAMMY Museum L.A. LIVE.

For more music history in the making, be sure to watch the 61st GRAMMY Awards, which will be broadcast live on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS.

Dolly Parton Primer: 10 Must-Hear Songs By The Queen Of Country

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.