On July 23, 2011, Amy Winehouse passed away in her Camden home in London. She was only 27 years old. In those 27 years, she delivered 2 excellent albums that define her artistry. Frank and Back to Black are the only albums Amy released in her lifetime.
Frank is the debut album that showed that Amy was not a product of her time. In a time where pop, rock, and rap were the go-to genres for up-and-coming artists, Amy took a different approach. By crafting an album with a mixture of jazz and hip hop, Amy was a unique artist with her sound. "Stronger Than Me", "Take the Box", "You Sent Me Flying", "October Song", and "Mr. Magic (Through the Smoke)" are the highlights from Frank. It was clear Amy was destined for great success in her music career. No one, not even Amy could've imagined the monumental success her follow-up album would bring.
Back to Black would be the album that would catapult Amy's career to an unprecedented level. Amy would introduce a sound that would define the sound of the mid to late 2000s. The 60s girl group sound was prominent throughout the album with blends of ska, R&B, and soul. Once again, Amy took a different approach both musically and aesthetically. Her signature beehive hair and tattoos were a significant departure from the polished image of artists in the mid-2000s. The themes of heartbreak, depression, and substances are present lyrically. It's a dark album that is masked behind an upbeat sound. This is clearly heard on the title track, "You Know I'm No Good", "Tears Dry On Their Own", "He Can Only Hold Her", and infamously, "Rehab". Every song on this album is a highlight. Amy was truly at her best but it was derived from horrible circumstances that affected her personally. This would get worse in the midst of the success of Back to Black.
Amy was subjected to nonstop media scrutiny. Her personal life was an open door for tabloids to invade and ridicule. It is disgusting to see how she was treated and humiliated during her time when she was alive. Now, the tone has changed to nonstop praises from the same media platforms that openly publicized her flaws.
The first time I heard of Amy was when I returned from a trip to Ecuador in August 2011. In my cousin's coffee table, there was a magazine that was remembering Amy. Her image captivated me. I recall seeing the cover of Back to Black in music stores but never got around to listening until a year after Amy's death. It was there that I wanted to know more about Amy. I was shocked to see how badly she was treated in the media. She was in a vulnerable position surrounded by people who never had her best interest. I always wondered what Amy would be doing if she was alive today. I believe by now we would've gotten more music from her. It would've been amazing to hear an album that was a mix between her two albums. She could've gone with a new sound. The possibilities are endless. I can wholeheartedly say that Amy defined my high school years for me. Specifically, sophomore and junior year. I hope Amy is at peace but it is still hard to believe that one of my favorite singer-songwriters is no longer here to witness a new generation of fans adore her and her music.
Rest in peace, Amy, you deserved better in this world but you will always be loved.