Moanin' Low
Billie Holiday · Complete Masters 1933 - 1959 [2011]
Though he's mean as can be
He's the kind of man
Needs the kind of a woman like me
Gonna die if my sweet man should pass me by
If I die where he be
He's the kind of a man
Needs the kind of a woman like me
Don't know any reason why
He treats me so poorly
What have I gone and done?
Makes my troubles double with his worries
When surely I ain't deserving of none
Moanin' low, my sweet man is gonna go
When he goes, oh, Lordy
He's the kind of a man
Needs the kind of a woman like me
Moanin' Low
Billie Holiday's 'Moanin'' Low' stands as a quintessential example of her mastery over the swing and jazz standards of the 1930s and 40s. Recorded for her Complete Masters collection, the track showcases her signature vocal style, characterized by a haunting, intimate delivery that transforms simple melodies into profound emotional narratives. As a vocalist, Holiday was renowned for her ability to infuse recordings with a unique sense of melancholy and personal expression, setting a benchmark for vocal jazz performance. This recording reflects the era's sophisticated musical landscape, where the interplay between rhythm and voice became central to the genre's evolution. Her work on this album, alongside other iconic tracks, solidified her legacy as one of the most influential singers in American music history.