Josephine Baker - Bye Bye Blackbird (1927)

"Bye, Bye, Blackbird" is a song published in 1926 by the American composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon.

Josephine Baker was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress. Nicknamed the "Bronze Venus", the "Black Pearl", and even the "Créole Goddess" she was (in my opinion) the first vocalist to make this song what it is today; a work of art.

The first recording was done by Sam Lanin on March 19, 1926. Within the first year it was recorded by over 20 different orchestras.

There is much speculation about the meaning of the song. At least two commentators (using the same source) attribute the song to a prostitute's leaving the business and going home to her mother. As such, it is the opposite of "House of the Rising Sun", where the prostitute returns to the business. The reason for the song's apparent ambiguity is that the opening verse and the verses about the bluebird are rarely sung.