I remember the media around the time of her passing and the drugs were still brought up a lot, but what was the root cause to her drug and alcohol abuse? The media. Amy was poisoned by the papz, she could not catch a break. Her escape from reality just unfortunately happened to be getting absolutely shit faced; whether that be with alcohol, drugs, or both. Towards the end of it all, she was rocking up to her slots on stage absolutely wasted falling off the stage, unable to even sing - let alone perform - but didn’t this show just how damaged she was? Did no one step aside and think for a moment “why does she feel the need to get into this state 24/7?” Amy needed time away from the spotlight, she needed a break. She needed time to just be herself for a second, to be that playful and bubbly young woman she was before. Unfortunately her hedonistic antics fueled by drugs and alcohol was what lead to her getting even more attention from the press, she was fighting a seemingly losing battle.
At the start of her career Amy brought out Frank in 2003, and really set the bar for female solo artists on the UK scene at the time. Frank climbed to number 13 in the UK charts, and also made it into the rest of the charts across the world too - but little did Amy know - this was just the beginning. Winehouse then brought out the absolute musical masterpiece that is Back to Black in 2006. Back to Black was Amy’s second and final album, and as much as I hate to say it - what an album to go out on. The album was based around her toxic experiences with her then ex-boyfriend Blake Fielder, and the emotional whirlwind she endured during their relationship. Think ‘You Know I'm No Good’, where she absolutely pours her heart out, “I cried for you on the kitchen floor” - although the relationship was rather short - it was fiery, it wasn’t good for her, and it was incredibly emotional - but that makes for a great album though, doesn’t it? Amy poured her feelings out on to a piece of paper and collated them to create not just a song, but an entire f*cking album. That album soon turned out to be one of the best-selling albums in UK history.
Amy had a huge impact on me as a kid. I was born in ‘98 so when she brought out Back to Black in 2006 I would have been around eight or nine at the time. That eight or nine year old felt her heartbreak, she felt what it was like to fall in love and be spiked by its thorns, only to be ripped apart. Amy’s voice would, and still does, send shivers all up my spine and the goosebumps and hairs on my arms erect. The album is completely faultless, there’s not a single song I skip, no matter how many times I’ve listened to it, or how many years it’s been. I’m sure a lot of other people out there can relate - no matter where in the world they’re from. Looking back on it, Amy Winehouse was f*cking massive, absolutely huge, all across the world - everyone knew who she was. She was known for not only her music but her look too, she was edgy and completely unforgettable.
Amy’s artistry was influenced by so many genres such as; ska, reggae, rnb, soul, jazz, rock and pop - it was incredibly evident in her work & she combined them so smoothly together creating such a distinctive sound, that you’d recognise a Winehouse song even if you hadn’t heard it before. She covered a variety of songs which featured those influences, and made it unmistakenly her own, such as her cover of reggae and ska tracks, Toots and the Maytals, ‘Monkey Man’ (1968), and ‘You’re Wondering Now’ by The Skatalites (1960) which was also notoriously covered by The Specials in in 1979.
Her soul influences are evident in her homage to Johnny Nash’s, ‘Cupid’ (1968), Ruby and the Romantics, ‘Our Day Will Come’ (1963), and The Shirelles, ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ (1960). Not to forget Amy’s most famous cover, her rendition of ‘Valerie’ originally by the rock band The Zutons (2006). Not many artists can own any song and make it their own so much, that you think that you’re listening to the original - Amy did that every time she covered a track. No one was, or is, doing it like Winehouse did it. As shown in the dates of the songs she covered, she was hugely influenced by the 60s too, it was apparent not only in her music but her style also - sporting the huge beehive and cat winged eyeliner on a daily basis - no matter the occasion.
It’s been a tough nine years without her glorious presence and talent on the UK music scene. Amy really was one of the biggest talents in the world, and she did that off the back of two albums. Her legacy will never be forgotten, and she will most definitely be written about in the history books in years to come. When you think of Amy, make sure it’s the positive things. She was such a talent, a great songwriter, a fantastic singer and performer and a really wonderful selfless woman who cared endlessly for her friends and those close to her. Remember the Amy that would light up a room with her smile and silence it with her voice.
RIP
We love you Amy.
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