The Music and Death of Amy Winehouse

Singer Amy Winehouse, who achieved worldwide fame with her album Back to Black, has been found dead at her flat in north London. The body of the 27-year-old Grammy award-winner was discovered at the property in north London by emergency services at around 3.54pm on Saturday afternoon (July 23, 2011).

I was completing my other hub when I searched for the Top 40 music. Then, I saw the news flash narrating how Ms. Winehouse was found dead by her family. Disbelief dawned on me while searching news bulletins regarding her demise. True enough, family and friends, including fans from all over the world posted messages of condolences at her Facebook account.

To give you more details about her death, YouTube uploader celebiam posted this BBS news clip.

I was oriented with Amy Winehouse music because of the singing done by my 14-year old niece last year. She's gyrating to the lyrics of Rehab. At first, I was irritated but listening to it closely, she made a statement that she'll not undergo such process just to overcome her addiction with drugs and liquors.

Let's review the lyrics of the song she'd written.

Rehab by Amy Winehouse

They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab, I won't go, go, go

I'd rather be at home with Ray
I ain't got seventy days
'Cause there's nothing, there's nothing you can teach me
That I can't learn from Mr. Hathaway

Didn't get a lot in class
But I know it don't come in a shot glass

They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know know know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab, I won't go, go, go

The man said, "Why do you think you here?"
I said, "I got no idea
I'm gonna, I'm gonna lose my baby
So I always keep a bottle near"

He said, "I just think you're depressed"
This me, "Yeah baby, and the rest"
They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know

I don't ever wanna drink again
I just, ooh, I just need a friend
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
Have everyone think I'm on the mend

And it's not just my pride
It's just 'til these tears have dried

They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know, know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab, I won't go, go, go

This is the song that interpreted how Amy Winehouse life fared during her late teens and at the prime of her music career.

Her childhood years for a Jewish parents was ideal but peer pressure, friends and acquaintances heavily influenced Ms. Winehouse to use marijuana, substance and be addicted to alcohol as well.

Her married life was a sham that even her ex-husband spent time in prison because of drugs and alcohol.

The negativity in most of her songs reflected on how she looked at her life, whether she's in and out of the limelight.

Negative publicities bombarded the ascent in her music career.

Awards are something to be proud of, but those accolade didn't stopped Amy for being addicted to vices and alcohol. That was the path she had chosen.

Fans and haters posted mix reactions at popular social media.

For music industry, Amy Winehouse was such a great loss, but for ordinary people who cannot stand her music, they'll just treat this tragedy as another bad news that will just fizzle the next day.

A successful woman in her chosen career as a singer-composer-entertainer, Amy Winehouse was the first singer from the United Kingdom to win five Grammy awards.

Heavily influenced with jazz music, her music genre was a fusion of jazz, soul and frank words based from her daily life.

Those who shared the same fate with Amy can relate with the way her songs were made and adored by her fans. Some of her songs that won awards but signified sadness and the search for happiness are:

• Love is a Losing Game - Best Song Musically and Lyrically (2008)
• Rehab - Best Contemporary Song (2007)
• Stronger than Me - Best Contemporary Song (2004)

Although, Amy was shying away with fame and continue with her substance and alcohol addiction, music award-giving bodies such as Grammy, BRIT Awards, Ivor Novello Award singled her out as an exceptional singer.

• Best Female Singer - BRIT Award
• 2006 Album Back to Black - Grammy Awards
• 2003 Album Frank - nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize

Three years before reaching age 30, she already wrote it last Saturday while leaving her fans craving for more.

She'll surely be missed.

My niece texted me and extended her condolences to fellow fans of Amy.

No more rehab for Ms. Winehouse, but for those who can bend and fight their addiction can still see the light for a better life.