Some were released decades after they were first written
Amy had a lot of music influence in her immediate family. Her uncles were professional jazz musicians, and her grandmother, Cynthia, was a singer.
At just 19, Amy Winehouse signed her first record deal with label Island. She released her debut album, titled 'Frank,' a year later in 2003.
Amy reportedly received her first guitar at the age of 13, and began writing her own music afterwards. Her grandmother encouraged her artistic talents, suggesting she go to theater school.
Singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse was born Amy Jade Winehouse on September 13, 1983, in Southgate, London, England.
In the early 2000s, Amy was building a buzz among the recording industry due to her powerful voice and her signature retro look.
The extent of her vocal ability first became apparent when she began attending the Sylvia Young Theatre School, aged 12. She would go on to attend the Brit Performing Arts School in Croydon, South London, and by the time she was 16, Winehouse was singing professionally.
The album, devoted to original jazz titles, was a success, receiving positive reviews and multiple BRIT award nominations.
It earned her comparisons to singer Nina Simone. And apart from two songs on the album, all of the brutally honest lyrics were written by Winehouse.
The relationship was said to be plagued with violence and drug abuse. Blake reportedly claimed he introduced Amy to crack cocaine and heroin.
She was a regular at the pubs in the area, many of which were established music venues, one of the most famous being the Jazz Cafe.
The on-and-off couple tied the knot in secret in Florida, in May 2007. Their relationship would become tabloid fodder while they were together.
In a 2007 interview with Rolling Stone, she explained: "I know I'm talented, but I wasn't put here to sing. I was put here to be a wife and a mom and look after my family. I love what I do, but it's not where it begins and ends."
Many of the songs on the album were inspired by her tumultuous relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil. The songs ''wrote themselves,'' the singer reportedly said.
After 'Frank,' Amy didn't write any new music for 18 months. However, she met the influential music producer Mark Ronson and became inspired to write her next album, 'Back to Black,' which would be released in 2007.
On the song, Amy Winehouse translated her real-life experience into emotional lyricism, explaining her battles with substance abuse and her refusal to get help.
Amy Winehouse had a very public battle with her demons, and later admitted to self-harming. In January 2008, she finally agreed to go to rehab.
The pair's divorce was finalized just two years later, in 2009. Amy began dating actor Josh Bowman that same year.
Amy made many erratic appearances on television at the time, and began to be a no-show for gigs.
The album would also earn six Grammy nominations, of which she won five, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year for 'Rehab.'
The heartbreaking, retro soul vocals on 'Back to Black' struck a chord with many listeners, and led to Amy being named Best British Female at the BRIT Awards and Artist of the Year at the MTV Music Awards.
The album became the best-selling album of 2007 in the UK. Its first release was the track 'Rehab,' which brought her global fame.
The extensive touring that accompanied the success of 'Back to Black' also didn't help Amy Winehouse and her demons, and her parents feared for her health due to her schedule.
"I don’t need help because if I can’t help myself I can’t be helped," the singer and songwriter is reported to have said.
In 2010, Amy Winehouse began dating film director and writer Reg Traviss. The pair reportedly were engaged in secret in 2011. Traviss was credited for keeping Amy on the straight and narrow.
Her death led to an outpouring of grief around the world. She was just 27 years old, joining the infamous "27 Club," just a couple of months before her next birthday.
Sadly, their wedding never came to pass, as on July 23, 2011, Amy Winehouse was found dead in her Camden home. Her death was due to alcohol poisoning.
Amy Winehouse lived in Camden, London, where she continued to play gigs at local venues even while she was being booed off stage.
After Amy’s death, her father Mitch and fans raised money for a life-size bronze statue, which was erected in the refurbished Camden stables market on what would have been her 31st birthday.
Filmmaker Asif Kapadia shed light on the life, career, and struggles of the singer in his 2015 documentary 'Amy.' However, it drew criticism from her family and former fiancé, who described it as "misleading and downright inaccurate."
Sam Taylor-Johnson directed the 2024 movie 'Back to Black,' based on the singer's life. Marisa Abela stars as Amy.
Sources: (Hello!) (Hollywood Life) (Rough Trade) (Biography) (The Mirror) (Daily Mail Online) (The Guardian)
There are some voices that are just unmistakable, and Amy Winehouse belongs to that exclusive, distinctive category. The British singer and songwriter passed away tragically early in life, joining the ranks of the "27 Club." But she left an unforgettable mark on the music industry and in the memories of her loyal fans. Her startlingly honest lyrics and louder-than-life persona were unmatched. Sadly, Amy Winehouse battled many demons. But although she's no longer here, her music collection lives on. And so does her life story.
Click on to learn all about the life of Amy Winehouse.
The story of Amy Winehouse's tragically short life
The legendary singer passed away suddenly on July 23, 2011
MUSIC Retrospective
There are some voices that are just unmistakable, and Amy Winehouse belongs to that exclusive, distinctive category. The British singer and songwriter passed away tragically early in life, joining the ranks of the "27 Club." But she left an unforgettable mark on the music industry and in the memories of her loyal fans. Her startlingly honest lyrics and louder-than-life persona were unmatched. Sadly, Amy Winehouse battled many demons. But although she's no longer here, her music collection lives on. And so does her life story.
Click on to learn all about the life of Amy Winehouse.