Question

What is Billie holiday referencing in her song

Answer 1

The essence of cool
Duke Ellington called Billie Holiday "the essence of cool," a reference to her equipoise in performance. One of the most influential jazz vocalists of all time, Holiday had a controlled emotional power that transformed even trite ballads into romantic short stories.
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Answer 2

Answer: She is referencing her father. The song reminded Holiday of her father .

Explanation: When Holiday heard the lyrics, she was deeply moved by them — not only because she was a Black American but also because the song reminded her of her father, who died at 39 from a fatal lung disorder, after being turned away from a hospital because he was a Black man.