Nina Simone

Today's post is a short post dedicated to one of my favorite singers, the incomparable and DIVINE Ms. Nina Simone. My boyfriend gave me her entire collection last year, and I've been addicted ever since. She  unique voice full of strength and struggle, like all good blues and jazz ladies do. But there's something unapologetic about her that I can't seem to shake.

The first song is the classic "Feeling Good," and I have to get on my soapbox about this song. First, it is NOT the theme song for Weight Watchers (even though it kinda is). Second, it is NOT, and I mean NOT Michael Buble's song. Even though he sings it. And once you hear Nina, you'll know why.




The second Nina I've selected is her controversial "Four Women," describing four very different black women. It was banned by many radio stations when it came out: it alludes to slavery, prostitution, and other controversial subjects, but this hardly seems like a reason to ban a song (though it certainly was a different era). I think that perhaps Ms. Simon's strength and truth-telling were a bit too much for the radio executives. But that's just this girl's opinion... Anyway, it's my very favorite song of hers!




Hope you enjoy these pieces!