strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees she s talking about black people being lynched in the streets around america. it was unheard of for her to have that kind of song out and for people to embrace that kind of song, especially white people. is there some lesson? is there some connection? marvin was doing the same thing except it was how many years later. he was living in his truth. he was telling his truth, and truth is hard to tell. strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees what do you think are the similarities you see between billy holiday and marvin gaye? i think it was revelatory then, when i listened to it. so you listened to this album