My Man
Billie Holiday · Complete Masters 1933 - 1959 [2011]
But there's one thing that I've got
It's my man, it's my man
Cold and wet, tired you bet
All of this I'll soon forget with my man
He's not much on looks
He's no hero out of books
But I love him, yes, I love him
Two or three girls has he
That he likes as well as me
But I love him
I don't know why I should
He isn't true, he beats me too
What can I do?
Oh, my man I love him so
He'll never know
All my life is just despair, but I don't care
When he takes me in his arms
The world is bright, all right
What's the difference if I say I'll go away
When I know I'll come back on my knees someday
For whatever my man is
I'm his forevermore
My Man - Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday's rendition of 'My Man' stands as a quintessential example of her mastery over the swing era's jazz standards. Recorded for the Complete Masters 1933-1959 collection, this track showcases her signature vocal style, characterized by a cool, detached delivery that contrasts sharply with the song's underlying romantic sentiment. The recording captures the intimate atmosphere of the 1930s and 40s, where Holiday transformed existing compositions into deeply personal narratives through her unique phrasing and subtle improvisation. Her interpretation of 'My Man' remains a definitive listening experience, highlighting her pivotal role in shaping the vocal jazz genre and influencing generations of singers who followed in her footsteps.