Don’t know what to say really.
I was listening to Back to Black a few days ago for the first time in a while. It was as good as I’d remembered it. I said I hoped she’d get things together to record a new record – and for her own sake.
I’m shocked, sad, unamused that fate should snuff out yet another star at 27, and angry that a media that hounded, mocked, pilloried and generally did a troubled young person no favours will now inevitably be weeping crocodile tears (with a few morality lectures thrown in).
I hope history will judge her on the merits of her music. Half a dozen tracks on Back to Black are right up there with the greats – off the top of my head, I can’t think of many albums with a stronger opening 3 songs than “Rehab”, “You Know That I’m No Good” and “Me and Mr Jones”.
Here’s a fitting epitaph – a song that sounds like it was written for Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald:
It is so sad that such a great talent is not with us in this world any more. But I hope now at least she can find the peace that she did not seem able to find here,
Of course I do not know so much of her personal issues as the people in the UK, but I was aware of her problems. It is always sad and confusing that some of the greatest artists are so troubled and their gift which is a blessing to us, seems to be a burden to them.
She leaves us with some great songs which brought pleasure to millions of people. I pray her soul finds peace at last.
As I said on the Mothership, I think, although the news came as no great surprise (it had long felt depressingly inevitable), it was still a shock. Desperately maddening – as well as saddening – that she was unable to turn things around. And that she didn’t have – or couldn’t accept – the help she needed.
Weirdly, I rarely listen to “Back to Black” despite owning a copy. I almost think it’s too good: it became such an instant classic that I never really achieved ‘ownership’ of the songs for myself. That said, the title track and “You Know That I’m No Good” are firm favourites chez bishbosh.
She was an incredible talent. What a waste. RIP Amy.
Robert Hunter wrote Bird Song about Janis Joplin’s passing in not dissimilar circumstances, forty years ago. It’s opening lines are appropriate in this sad case, too:
All I know is something like a bird within her sang
All I know she sang a little while and then flew on
A very tragic but, sadly, forseeable end to a talented young artist’s life. You always hope that this time, the individual concerned will win the fight against their personal demons, whatever they are.
I agree entirely with Barbryn’s comments about the press. Their intrusive interest cannot have helped.
There have been several comparisons to Janis Joplin. This is from All About Eve’s tribute to Janis:
Not only a great voice, but she used her own words too.
Somehow, I thought she was getting back on her feet, but then I haven’t followed her story very quickly. It’s a shame.
“closely” not “quickly”
I’m still really shocked and bummed about this, i think it’s just so tragic. As much as i would love to have a talent like that just for the pure pleasure of using it, i can’t think of anything more awful than being famous. It must have been really hard to get so famous so quickly and so young, especially if you’re sort of shy and insecure and haven’t gotten yourself sorted yet. With no real guidance as to how to handle it.
I haven’t really heard anything about her ex-husband since she passed. Supposedly he’s the one who got her started on all of those drugs. I’d maybe find it pretty hard to resist him too.