The 10 best songs by Nina Simone according to UachateC
These are the 10 best songs by Nina Simone, according to our criteria.
Nina Simone was one of the most influential and versatile artists in 20th century music. Her deep, expressive voice, her talent at the piano and her social commitment made her a legend of jazz, blues, soul and gospel.
Throughout his career, he recorded more than 40 albums and covered great composers such as George Gershwin, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Among his extensive repertoire, there are songs that have remained engraved in the collective memory for their beauty, their strength and their message.
The 10 best songs by Nina Simone according to UachateC
1. Feeling Good
This song was written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd in 1964, but it was Nina Simone who made it famous with her 1965 version, included on the album I Put a Spell on. you. The song is a hymn to optimism and freedom, with a masterful performance by Simone, who plays with the nuances and emotions of her voice. The song has been covered by many artists, such as Michael Bublé, Muse or Eels.
Best songs by Nina Simone
2. My Baby Just Cares for Me
This song is one of the first hits for Nina Simone, who recorded it in 1958 for her debut album Little Girl Blue. The song was written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn in 1930 for the film Whoopee!, starring Eddie Cantor. Simone gave the song a jazzy and fun touch, which talks about the unconditional love of her partner, who is not impressed by fashion or celebrities. The song had a revival in the 1980s, when it was used in a perfume ad and became a hit in Europe.
Best songs by Nina Simone
3. Sinnerman
This song is an adaptation of a traditional African-American spiritual, which narrates the anguish of a sinner who seeks refuge from the final judgment. Nina Simone recorded it in 1965 for her album Pastel Blues, with a duration of more than 10 minutes, in which she displays all her vocal and piano intensity, accompanied by a frenetic rhythm and choruses that repeat «power» and «don’t you know”. The song has been used in several movies and series, such as The Thomas Crown Affair, Inland Empire or Lucifer .
Best songs by Nina Simone
4. I Put a Spell on You
This song was written and recorded by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in 1956 as a love ballad, but it became a rock and roll classic for its outlandish rendition, full of screams and sound effects. Nina Simone covered it in 1965 for the album of the same name, giving it a more sophisticated and sensual air, with a seductive voice and string and wind arrangements. The song has been covered by many artists, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Annie Lennox or Jeff Beck.
Best songs by Nina Simone
5. To Be Young, Gifted and Black
This song is a tribute to the writer Lorraine Hansberry, a friend of Nina Simone, who died of cancer in 1965 at the age of 34. Hansberry was the first black woman to write a play that premiered on Broadway, A Raisin in the Sun, which addressed issues such as racism, feminism, or colonialism. The song was composed by Nina Simone and Weldon Irvine in 1969, based on the title of a posthumous work by Hansberry. The song is a hymn to the pride and hope of black youth, who face difficulties with creativity and resilience. The song has been covered by artists such as Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin or Bob and Marcia .
Best songs by Nina Simone
6. Just Like a Woman
This song is a cover of Bob Dylan’s song, included on his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde. Nina Simone recorded it in 1969 for her album To Love Somebody, with a warmer and more nuanced voice than Dylan’s, and some arrangements more elaborate, with piano, guitar, bass, drums and organ. The song is an ambiguous and contradictory description of a woman, which can be seen as criticism or an understanding of her complexity. The song has been covered by artists such as Van Morrison, Joe Cocker or The Byrds .
Best songs by Nina Simone
7. Ain’t Got No, I Got Life
This song is a medley of two songs from the musical Hair, which opened on Broadway in 1968. The songs are Ain’t Got No and I Got Life, which express the contrast between the lack of material possessions and the affirmation of life and the identity. Nina Simone fused them into a single song in 1968, for her album ‘Nuff Said!, with a soulful and funk style, and a voice full of energy and vitality. The song was a hit in Europe, especially in the UK, where it reached number 2 on the charts .
Best songs by Nina Simone
8. Here Comes the Sun
This song is a cover of George Harrison’s song, included on The Beatles’ 1969 album Abbey Road. Nina Simone recorded it in 1971 for her album Here Comes the Sun, with a deeper and more melancholic voice than Harrison’s, and some more minimalist arrangements, with only piano, guitar and percussion. The song is a celebration of the arrival of the sun after a long winter, both literally and metaphorically. The song has been covered by artists such as Richie Havens, Steve Harley or Nina Hagen .
Best songs by Nina Simone
9. Love Me or Leave Me
This song is a jazz standard written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn in 1928 for the musical Whoopee!, starring Eddie Cantor. The song was popularized by Ruth Etting, who sang it in the 1955 film of the same name. Nina Simone recorded it in 1958 for her debut album Little Girl Blue, with a firm, determined voice and a virtuoso piano solo that lasts almost two minutes. The song is a declaration of independence from a woman who does not accept half measures in love. The song has been covered by artists such as Billie Holiday, Doris Day or Sammy Davis Jr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dDBrpCL5Qk
Best songs by Nina Simone
10. Stars
This song is a cover of Janis Ian’s song, included on her 1974 album Stars. Nina Simone recorded it live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1976, with a vulnerable, soulful voice and simple piano and guitar accompaniment. The song is a reflection on fame and its consequences, from the point of view of a star who feels lonely and disillusioned. The song has been covered by artists such as Cher, Mel Tormé or Barry Manilow .
Best songs by Nina Simone
These are the top 10 Nina Simone songs for me, but there are many more that could be on this list. I invite you to listen to her music and discover for yourself the greatness of this unique and unrepeatable artist.
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