"Don't Explain" was originally written and sung by Billie Holiday. Billie Holiday's songs, especially her originally written compositions in my opinion are very hard to top or equal to and once another singer gets his/her vocals on it they are not able to convey the emotion as well as Billie did because she was able to go into the inner core of the song and dig the inner depths of it . . . . what more could you ask for? Well I have to say Peggy Lee's rendition of "Don't Explain" is EXCELLENT!
@MusicLoverBrian1 Nice comment. There's a second version of Peggy singing this song; should come up if you type "Peggy Lee Don't Explain" in SEARCH. It's live from same concert as "Is That All There Is". About Billie, I think it's better known nowadays that she didn't truly write most of the songs that are officially credited to her, but leaving that detail aside, your points are well taken. Both great singers.
Unclebobunclebob. It's always silly- (and I was) to describe artists as best when meaning one's personal preference.. I would not claim Anita O'Day was in any way inferior to Peggy Lee. On some ballads ODay was quite superb e.g. "Man I Love". and she had a wider range.Let's continue to enjoy both.
Gawd!! How Haunting. So Beautiful. The Angst that is projected by Lee is incredible and so intense.. Her back up really boosted her. They heard what was going on, and they delivered to her what she needed to get the message across.
The finest ever (dare I say it?) white jazz vocalist of all time but, even as a Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee fan and I have bought all their recordings but none of
Diana Ross's -I have to admit Diana's singing of this beautiful ballad surpasses all others.
listening to this song makes me sad that we have mostly lost this awesome era of music. i would bet if you played this fabulous song to a room full of high-schoolers, they would probably say it was amy winehouse. :( Peggy is a goddess.
It's from a TV special she made in 1970 with Anthony Quinn . Actually , Peg does raise her voice on other occassions ...just sparingly!! Glad you enjoyed this song . Gareth.
Thank you very much , Frank39 . I've got masses more , but my machine has died ...so there'll be a bit of delay before I can upload the next lot. Regards, Gareth.
man, this treatment of Billie holiday is so fine. yo' uploads are real cool. Dont suppose you got that jumpin version of 'It's a good day' in black and white with out the voice over at the start? that song really turned me on to Peggy even more than 'goodbye'
"Don't Explain".....I know....
"Prachtig".....
pifpoufpaf9 1 year ago
"Don't Explain" was originally written and sung by Billie Holiday. Billie Holiday's songs, especially her originally written compositions in my opinion are very hard to top or equal to and once another singer gets his/her vocals on it they are not able to convey the emotion as well as Billie did because she was able to go into the inner core of the song and dig the inner depths of it . . . . what more could you ask for? Well I have to say Peggy Lee's rendition of "Don't Explain" is EXCELLENT!
MusicLoverBrian1 1 year ago
@MusicLoverBrian1 Nice comment. There's a second version of Peggy singing this song; should come up if you type "Peggy Lee Don't Explain" in SEARCH. It's live from same concert as "Is That All There Is". About Billie, I think it's better known nowadays that she didn't truly write most of the songs that are officially credited to her, but leaving that detail aside, your points are well taken. Both great singers.
Carambabambasamba 1 year ago
Misurarsi con Billie Holiday è difficile ma Peggy Lee è stata all'altezza.
pierluigibaglioni 1 year ago
no offense at all but...i recognize the dutch queen in her face >.>
Gielio1993 2 years ago
Unclebobunclebob. It's always silly- (and I was) to describe artists as best when meaning one's personal preference.. I would not claim Anita O'Day was in any way inferior to Peggy Lee. On some ballads ODay was quite superb e.g. "Man I Love". and she had a wider range.Let's continue to enjoy both.
golsno147 2 years ago
"Don't Explain" is a song written by jazz singer Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. (Also recorded by:) Peggy Lee and Rory Emerald.
omarory 2 years ago
When a song is given the Peggy Lee treatment it's a lucky song and beautiful to the ear and the other senses.
loulou2lou 2 years ago 5
this version is as good as the best.
best1forward 2 years ago
Her music is hauntingly beautiful on this song.
Just finished her biography - what talent,
especially WRITING her own songs-cool!
wjv4me 2 years ago
Gawd!! How Haunting. So Beautiful. The Angst that is projected by Lee is incredible and so intense.. Her back up really boosted her. They heard what was going on, and they delivered to her what she needed to get the message across.
78timothy 2 years ago 4
this rendition just gives me chills...
knifecut 2 years ago 3
The finest ever (dare I say it?) white jazz vocalist of all time but, even as a Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee fan and I have bought all their recordings but none of
Diana Ross's -I have to admit Diana's singing of this beautiful ballad surpasses all others.
golsno147 3 years ago
i agree.
roadmercy 2 years ago
@golsno147 Anita O'Day would have to be up there if you're talking caucasian...and Anita could really freakin swing.
unclebobunclebob 2 years ago
She has a simplicty and an understated elegance
Perfect phrasing. In other words she has it all.
Cinderfellow 3 years ago 4
Vintage Peggy: it just doesn't get any better than this. Thanks for posting this wonderful piece.
robbiegalgal 3 years ago
listening to this song makes me sad that we have mostly lost this awesome era of music. i would bet if you played this fabulous song to a room full of high-schoolers, they would probably say it was amy winehouse. :( Peggy is a goddess.
hollyjaner 3 years ago 2
Powerful performance! Thank you for posting!
pdxet2 3 years ago 4
god bless..,miss lee
Arikisei 3 years ago 2
What a gorgeous and talented young lady. I wish I was around then I'd ask her out in a spit-second.
RDG484 3 years ago 2
Where is this from? It's the first (and only) time I've heard Peg raise her voice, the last two words at the end, a nice surprise.
defundthewar 3 years ago 2
It's from a TV special she made in 1970 with Anthony Quinn . Actually , Peg does raise her voice on other occassions ...just sparingly!! Glad you enjoyed this song . Gareth.
puglet7 3 years ago
@defundthewar Yeah you're right hardly what you'd expect from the one and only female 'crooner' she always sang well within her range, that hair wow!
zinger52 1 year ago
@zinger52 Well, actually... that wig, wow!
defundthewar 1 year ago
Wow! I love all of the videos you have uploaded and this one is fantastic. I love the jazzy sound.
Frank39 4 years ago 6
Thank you very much , Frank39 . I've got masses more , but my machine has died ...so there'll be a bit of delay before I can upload the next lot. Regards, Gareth.
puglet7 4 years ago
@puglet7
man, this treatment of Billie holiday is so fine. yo' uploads are real cool. Dont suppose you got that jumpin version of 'It's a good day' in black and white with out the voice over at the start? that song really turned me on to Peggy even more than 'goodbye'
thanks for your work puglet7
damothesinger 7 months ago
a sadly forgotten era. great voices, singing wonderful songs.
OzTerri 3 years ago 2