R&P: Tribute To Nina Simone: What's your favorite song by a true original?

Question

Today is the anniversary of the birth of true American R&P pioneer. Nina Simone (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003) lived until the age of 70.  She was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUR9yWzN3zc
Nina Simone - *Mississippi Goddamn* 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVxVa3D11n4
Nina Simone- Strange Fruit 

 Simone aspired to become a classical pianist while working in a broad range of styles including classical, jazz, blues, soul, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCwME6Jpn3s
Four Women 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22kPiPILteQ
Feeling Good 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dlrXCYrNYI&feature=related
how it feels to be free 

Over her career, Simone recorded over 40 albums, mostly between 1958 and 1974.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8yIpH_VI50
 she made her debut with Little Girl Blue 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y99tXNxV5s
John Lennon cited Simone's version of "I Put a Spell on You" as a source of inspiration for the Beatles song "Michelle". Musicians who have covered her work (or her specific renditions of songs) include  Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Marilyn Manson, Donny Hathaway, David Bowie, Elkie Brooks, Roberta Flack, Jeff Buckley, The Animals, and Muse.

So R&P, Please join with me in paying tribute to this great artist, even if you've never heard of her, I hope you'll lend an ear to a woman who only ever did it her way!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-QY-H2ekZo&feature=related
Love Me Or Leave Me

simone · Accepted Answer

She is very cool.

Many favorite songs
The other woman  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkXA5zyQJbY

In The Dark http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS-US-sU1CU

I like her version of "Just Like tom Thumb's Blues" more than Dylan's (it isn't on YouTube.)

Wild Is The Wind  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylad6wCbG5k
..."Love me, love me, love me, say you do....."  I lover her.

mark j · Answer

''Strange Fruit'' would have been my first choice, so i'm going with the song that David Bowie later covered..

Wild Is The Wind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiVDzTT4CbE

It's great to see Nina Simone mentioned on here, a true pioneer for female artistes.

kls81 · Answer

I would have suggested Mississippi Goddamn straight off the bat.

My taste tends to protest/message songs, as you know. So, 'To Be Young, Gifted, and Black' should be here too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sNMCmDYjLc
 -- I generally wouldn't go for such plain rhymes, but they work for a purpose here, and effectively so.

Old Jim Crow, as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb7dZ1DzvMU

And putting that one up suggested Work Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwXwzDqN6mc

Lady Silver Rose * Wolf · Answer

Good afternoon dear :)

Since you've already put my first choice 'I Wish I Knew How it would Feel to be Free', I'll have to go with :~

See Line Woman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTYIEeZpcPE&fmt=18
(Masters at Work remix) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOcYDAkiBxY&fmt=18

Anonymous · Answer

mississippi goddamn is my favorite. a very powerful song.

some others that havent been mentioned yet:
sinnerman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn5tiuZU4JI
funkier than a mosquitos tweeter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwk7DWq_E3s
pirate jenny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufnsSmkUK_g

Anonymous · Answer

i've always liked her cover of the pusher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQvNFS3URLQ

? · Answer

Punch,my friend,i must say,the song i do love,of that lady's is,I GOT LIFE, a great song,a great lady,take care my friend.

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R&P: Tribute To Nina Simone: What's your favorite song by a true original?

7 Answers