Gloomy Sunday

This song was written by Hungarian composer Rezso Seress but was made famous by Billie Holiday although many other artists have recorded a version. Why is it interesting? Well it is the subject of a rather strange urban legend that the lyrics and melody are so sad that it can induce suicide in people who listen to it. The legend has entered popular culture and we recently saw it used in an episode of the US TV show Warehouse 13. Many claims have been made about the number of suicides it has caused and it was banned by the BBC for many years, among others. None of the claims have been substantiated apart from, very sadly, that of the original composer in 1968 some 35 years after it was penned.

Something much more cheerful tomorrow, I promise!