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  • Gloomy Sunday

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    Erika Bodnár
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    Gloomy Sunday is a Hungarian song written in 1933 that became known as the "Hungarian Suicide Song" due to reports that some people who listened to its haunting melody or read its depressing lyrics committed suicide. The song was written by pianist Rezső Seress and had additional lyrics added by Hungarian poet László Jávor that increased its melancholy tone. English translations were made that helped spread the song internationally, with Billie Holiday's version increasing its popularity in 1941, though it remained banned by many radio stations due to its depressing nature. The song's composer Rezső Seress ultimately committed suicide in 1968 by jumping from his flat.

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    Gloomy Sunday is a Hungarian song written in 1933 that became known as the "Hungarian Suicide Song" due to reports that some people who listened to its haunting melody or read its depressing lyrics committed suicide. The song was written by pianist Rezső Seress and had additional lyrics added by Hungarian poet László Jávor that increased its melancholy tone. English translations were made that helped spread the song internationally, with Billie Holiday's version increasing its popularity in 1941, though it remained banned by many radio stations due to its depressing nature. The song's composer Rezső Seress ultimately committed suicide in 1968 by jumping from his flat.

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    36 views2 pages

    Gloomy Sunday

    Uploaded by

    Erika Bodnár
    Gloomy Sunday is a Hungarian song written in 1933 that became known as the "Hungarian Suicide Song" due to reports that some people who listened to its haunting melody or read its depressing lyrics committed suicide. The song was written by pianist Rezső Seress and had additional lyrics added by Hungarian poet László Jávor that increased its melancholy tone. English translations were made that helped spread the song internationally, with Billie Holiday's version increasing its popularity in 1941, though it remained banned by many radio stations due to its depressing nature. The song's composer Rezső Seress ultimately committed suicide in 1968 by jumping from his flat.

    Copyright:

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    Gloomy Sunday Sunday is gloomy, my hours are slumberless Dearest the shadows I live with are numberless Little

    white flowers will never awaken you Not where the black coach of sorrow has taken you Angels have no thought of ever returning you Would they be angry if I thought of joining you? Gloomy Sunday Sunday is gloomy, with shadows I spend it all My heart and I have decided to end it all Soon there'll be flowers and prayers that are sad I know Let them not weep, let them know that I'm glad to go Death is no dream for in death I'm caressing you With the last breath of my soul I'll be blessing you Gloomy Sunday Song Notes Cover of "Gloomy Sunday." Recording from the Rule no. 4 video on Opheliac.

    gloomy sunday
    the suicide song
    Gloomy Sunday - the notorious 'Hungarian Suicide Song' - was written in 1933. Its melody and original lyrics were the creation of Rezs Seress, a self-taught pianist and composer born in Hungary in 1899. The crushing hopelessness and bitter despair which characterised the two stanza penned by Seress were superseded by the more mournful, melancholic verses of Hungarian poet Lszl Jvor. When the song came to public attention it quickly earned its reputation as a 'suicide song'. Reports from Hungary alleged individuals had taken their lives after listening to the haunting melody, or that the lyrics had been left with their last letters.

    The lyricists Sam M. Lewis and Desmond Carter each penned an English translatation of the song. It was Lewis's version, first recorded by Hal Kemp and his Orchestra, with Bob Allen on vocals (1936), that was to become the most widely covered. The popularity of Gloomy Sunday increased greatly through its interpretation by Billie Holiday (1941). In an attempt to alleviate the pessemistic tone a third stanza was added to this version, giving the song a dreamy twist, yet still the suicide reputation remained. Gloomy Sunday was banned from the playlists of major radio broadcasters around the world. The B.B.C. deemed it too depressing for the airwaves. Despite all such bans, Gloomy Sunday continued to be recorded and sold. People continued to buy the recordings; some committed suicide. Rezs Seress jumped to his death from his flat in 1968.

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