WHERE THE HOKEY POKEY "IS" WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

Venetian Snares: Öngyilkos Vasárnap

Posted over 2 years ago


From the 2005 album Rossz Csillag Alatt Született, Öngyilkos Vasárnap is, essentially, a cover of the infamous "hungarian suicide song" based around samples of Billie Holiday's version (Gloomy Sunday) - but leaving out the third stanza added by Holiday's producers, which was meant to soften the song's imagery by claiming that it was all "just a dream".



The original song was composed by Hungarian pianist, Rezső Seress, after he broke up with his girlfriend in 1933. By the time it reached America in 1936 it was associated with numerous suicides throughout Europe, and was said to have been banned by the BBC. The US media took note of its marketing value, but deemed it too intense for mass consumption - leading to the decision tack on the 3rd verse. Despite this, the song's reputation was set in stone when Seress jumped to his death from his apartment in 1968. It's also said, that after the song became popular, Seres contacted his ex-girlfriend and the next day she committed suicide - leaving a two-word note that said simply "Gloomy Sunday".

Billie Holiday version

Comments (3)

  1. Kate says i've heard the name Venetian Snares for awhile now, and thanks to your post, I am finally going to pick up a copy of Rossz Csillag Alatt Született. What a long, sad history Öngyilkos Vasárnap has. Incredible stuff, thanks.
    Permalink posted 08/22/2007
  2. ookpik says Thanks for this. I didn't know the history of Gloomy Sunday at all. And this Venetian Snares version is quite alright. I'm going to listen again.
    Permalink posted 08/22/2007
  3. FishPoisonCon says 106 plays?! wow. kate and ookpik, glad you liked it :)
    Permalink posted 08/22/2007

Comment on this Post

Login using email and password below.

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account?
Join MOG. It's Free!

© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved