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Hello. Come on in. The daddy writes about current events, literature, music and, once in a while, drops something on you from back in the day to make you pause and ponder, stop and stare, and begin to wonder. Who knows? You may start to pace the floor, shake your head from side to side, then fall down on bended knees in a praying position and cry, "Lawd, have mercy! What is this world coming to?" Check yourself! But this blog is NOT about the daddy. It's about you: your boos, your fam, your hood, your country...our hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow. So let's make a pact: the daddy will put it on the track if you'll chase it down and hit him back. Together, we can definitely take it to another level. Shall we?"

Sunday, September 20, 2009

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG BY NINA SIMONE?

"My skin is Black/ My arms are long/
My hair is wooly/
My back is strong/
Strong enough to take the pain/
Afflicted again and again/
What do they call me?"

Listen up. When The Daddy was doing research for his latest book, he learned that singer/social activist Nina Simone was very active in the civil rights movement. She did quite a few concerts and benefits on behalf of civil rights organizations. This is not to mention the numerous consciousness raising songs she wrote and performed that made African Americans feel so proud. In The Rebellious Sixties? Yes, I Remember, The Daddy wrote:

When you shouted "Mississippi Goddamn,"
When you caroled "To be young, gifted and black,"
You didn't sing songs, you sang anthems.

You put a spell on us.

What is your favorite song by Nina Simone?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mississippi Goddamn is my fave. She makes no bones of her politics and gives me chills every time I hear it. Masterful! Consciousness raising --yes! I used to play it for my suburban sophomores in our 1969 style African American literature class. It created a bit of a stir when some of the kids brought the message home. Just as the Lady Simone intended!

Did she write that song? XO

RiPPa said...

I'm with you. A few months ago I revisited her music. Mississippi Goddamn definitely gets me fired up.

Kellybelle said...

I want a little Sugar in My Bowl!!!

Eddie said...

I like her version of "I loves you Porgy," and my first love was her "Young, gifted, and black." but for me, her rendition of "Wild is the Wind" is one of the most hauntingly beautiful vocal performances... EVAH!

Eddie

Shady_Grady said...

I couldn't pick one. It would be a tie between "Sinnerman" and "The Family".

Oso said...

"Children go where I send you".It was on an album a friends mother had when I was a kid.

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

All the songs mentioned are great. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be "I love you, porgy." She's done several versions of it, but I love the one from one of her BEST OF albums where she plays a sweet solo, barely touching ivories.

Anon: Yes, she wrote Mississippi Goddamn. She wrote many of her songs. She was a singer, writer, performer-- a complete musician.

Kellybelle: Nina's "I want a little sugar in my bowl" is a very sensual song with sexual innuendos dripping like honey.

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

Shady: Thanks for signing up to be a follower of daddyBstrong. Looking forward to you coming back and providing your perspective. Welcome.

Anonymous said...

Mississippi Goddamn is my favorite song.

arieswym said...

Four Women is definitely my favorite. I love the way that she creates a multifaceted look at black women and the trials that they face in the song

jsmith said...

With so many from which to choose, I have to nod in the direction of "Why (The King of Love is Dead)" and a few of the "Ain't Got No/I Got Life" performances. And her "Cherish," just like "I Wish I Knew How It Feels to be Free," always does something for me. My never fail go-to Nina, however, is "Who Am I?" That one works at every level...hold on, I can't finish this post without playing it...o.k., there. That one works as social critique, personal conscious raising, brilliant vocal, and transcendent piano.

The Original Wombman said...

Wow . . . I have too many faves to pick just one! Consummation. Ain't Got No, and Blues for Mama are my top 3. :)

Anonymous said...

Very thoughtfull post on belief .It should be very much helpfull.

Thanks,
Karim - Creating Power

Kit (Keep It Trill) said...

Hey Mac,

This was easy. My favs by Nina Simone:

Feeling Good
Strange Fruit
My Baby Just Cares For Me

Strange Fruit, to those who don't know, refers to blacks hanging from trees, having been victimized by white lynch mobs.

When she sings it, it's like she transports you back in time and tragically, you're there. Now that takes talent.

~Kit

msladyDeborah said...

My favorite songs by The High Preistess are:
Sinnerman
I've Seen My Light Come Shining
Mississppi Goddamn
To Be Young Gifted and Black
I also like Nina's version of
You Can Have Him
Children Go Where I Lead You
I really cannot think of a song by Nina Simone that I don't like.

I started listening to her music when I was a little girl. She was a part of my music appreciation training. It would be nice to see a movie made about her life. She definitely has been a major contributor to our great American songbook.