An amazing voice was silenced on this day in 2003 when Nina Simone passed away. She was a pianist, vocalist, and songwriter who went on to be a civil rights activist.
She was born Eunice Wayman in February of 1933. As a child, she showed promise on the piano and would go on to play at her church. At age 12, she would have her first concert, a classical recital. She would go on to play at various venues playing what her mom called “the devil’s music.” In order to keep this a secret, in 1954, she began using her stage name Nina Simone. In February of 1959 would release her first recording – Little Girl Blue.
One of Nina’s best known songs is Feeling Good. The song was written by ritish songwriters Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. They wrote this as part of their 1965 Broadway musical The Roar Of The Greasepaint – The Smell Of The Crowd. It had been recorded by a couple people before Nina. Songsfacts.com says: The message of joy and contentment after hard times translated well to Simone’s vocal stylings.
The song appeared on her 1965 album “I Put a Spell On You.” The song was never released as a single at that time. However, in 1994, Simone’s recording was used in a British TV ad for Volkswagen, and it became very popular. The song was then released and was a Top 40 hit in the UK.
Mary J. Blige sampled Nina’s version for her song “About You,” while Muse covered it in 2001. Michael Buble’ covered it on his It’s Time album and used the song to open his concerts during that tour.
Nina released her last album in 1993. The same year she moved to France. Nina suffered from breast cancer for several years and lost her battle against in on this day in 2003.
One of my followers asked how picked my songs for Tune Tuesday. To be honest, I have no rhyme or reason for the songs that end up here. Last week, I wrote about Marvin Gaye for his birthday, and the week before that it was Nat King Cole for his birthday. Today, it just happens to be a song I heard while in my car this afternoon. It also happens to be a song that fits where I am in my life right now.
In the past year I have been blogging, I have written much about weeding out negativity, and the positive changes that have happened in my life. I have written about reaching a point where I thought of ending my life, only to come through dark times to find true love and true happiness. This song totally fits where I am now – Feeling Good!
The Song
The song was written by singer, songwriter, and actor Anthony Newley for the musical “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd”. Despite being covered by many artists (including Traffic, The Pussycat Dolls, George Michael, Joe Bonamassa, and John Coltrane – just to name a few), prior to Michael Buble’s version, the best known version was by the amazing Nina Simone. She recorded it for her 1965 “I Put a Spell on You” album. Her version was never released as a single, but became known because of a Volkswagen advertisement in 1994.
Michael Buble’
I was first introduced to his music from a friend of mine who worked at All Access. Kelly knew I was a big fan of the “Great American Songbook”, and the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Billie Holiday, and other great vocalists. We spent a lot of time talking music. She sent me a copy of Buble’s debut album and I was pretty impressed. I was not only impressed with his vocals, but I was impressed with his band and the arrangements of the songs. When his next album, “It’s Time”, hit stores, I made sure to pick it up.
Feelin’ Good is the opening cut from the “It’s Time” album. It was released as a single, coincidentally this month in 2005. The song opens with a slow fade up, and Michael’s vocal. It’s soft and smooth and then the band kicks in with a big bass line, a sloppy and bluesy brass line, and you are hooked. Everything about the arrangement of this song is perfect. I love Nina’s version, but after you hear Buble’s version, it sounds “unfinished”. It sounds weak and like it needs a few more musicians.
Buble’ acknowledges the influences of Dean, Frank, Tony Bennett, and continues to keep those wonderful songs alive (as well as some originals of his own). Many people think of him and think of his Christmas music, which is sad. He has SO many great songs.
As I reflect on where I am now in my life, I have found a happiness that I never knew I could experience. I have found a love that many only dream about. Ask me how I am feeling, and I will tell you I am “Feeling Good!”
Feeling Good
Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin’ on by
You know how I feel
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good
I’m feeling good
Fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River running free
You know how I feel
Blossom on the tree
You know how I feel
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good
Dragonfly out in the sun,
You know what I mean, don’t you know
Butterflies all havin’ fun,
You know what I mean
Sleep in peace when the day is done, that’s what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me
For me
Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
It’s a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good
I’m feeling good
I’m feeling so good
I feel so good
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 