15 of the best Nina Simone Songs
I watched the Nina Simone documentary with Pauline the other day and realized that she’s far too interesting of a person to not write about on this site.
Whether you love her take on a song or came to know her through her music being constantly sampled, you gotta give it up for Nina Simone!
Song/Rank:
#15- “To be Young, Gifted and Black” [Black Gold (1970)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
Aretha Franklin, Elton John?, and Donny Hathaway covered this song!
Why Though:
I’m all about how the horns kick in over the funky bass line. The choral nature of the hook also does something for me.
Song/Rank:
#14- “Here Comes the Sun” [Here Comes the Sun (1971)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
It’s a cover of The Beatles
Why Though:
I first heard this song by the Beatles so hesitated to put this song on this list, however, there’s just something about Nina’s voice and the tweaks to the instrumentation that makes this a worthy entry on this list.
Song/Rank:
#13- “Feeling Good” [I Put a Spell on You (1965)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
”New Day” by JAY-Z & Kanye West
”Birds Flying High” by Lil Wayne & Juelz Santana
”Bad News” by G-Unit”
Why Though:
Honestly didn’t see the big band vibe coming after the intimate acapella intro but I’m never one to get mad at a song for completely switching things up as long as some good samples come of it! The horns are used on one of my favourite G-Unit songs that proves 50 knows how to write a hook. This song always makes me wish that the I Can’t Feel My Face project actually released (Lil Wayne & Juelz Santana before The Throne).
Song/Rank:
#12- “Love Me or Leave Me” [Little Girl Blue (1958)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
Is a cover of Ruth Etting
Why Though:
Honestly, it makes sense that this hasn’t been sampled by a popular rapper. No one can spit like Nina does on this. Plus she goes off on the piano too. All around great work by Miss Simone on this song.
Song/Rank:
#11- “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” [Broadway-Blues-Ballads (1964)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
”DontGetIt” by Lil Wayne
Why Though:
I guess I should feel bad that the first time I heard this song was on the best Lil Wayne album. But the good news is I eventually heard it. There’s a mesmerizing quality to the instrumentation on this song. I specifically love the strings throughout. But, as always, it’s Nina’s voice that sells the song. A voice that draws you in and blends perfectly with the instruments.
Song/Rank:
#10- “My Baby Just Cares For Me” [Little Girl Blue (1958)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
Is a cover of Eddie Cantor (barely)
Why Though:
Nina really made this song her own. As you’ll notice throughout the list. The point is before I did the research on where this song was sampled I thought the parts of this song that I liked were present in the Eddie Cantor version. Not so. And that makes me happy.
Song/Rank:
#9- “Four Women” [Wild is the Wind (1966)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
”The Story of O.J.” by JAY-Z
”For Women” by Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek (more like sporadically ripping lines from the song… less proper sample)
Why Though:
Yeah I’ll cop to only knowing this song because of the best album of 2017! If you haven’t noticed, Nina Simone samples is how I learn about Nina Simone originals. I like the atmosphere the song creates. The piano loop matched with Nina’s haunted singing voice. I really feel Nina paining a picture with this song.
Song/Rank:
#8- “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free” [Silk & Soul (1967)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
Is a cover of Billy Taylor
Why Though:
There’s something different about Nina’s vocals on this one. In addition to digging the instrumentation (THAT PIANO THO), there’s a softness to Nina’s voice. It’s no less striking and powerful. Just something that is more comforting than normal and it all comes together nicely.
Song/Rank:
#7- “Strange Fruit” [Pastel Blues (1965)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
”Blood on the Leaves” by Kanye West
”Celebrate” by Cassidy (ft. John Legend)
Why Though:
I feel like one of Pauline’s favourite Kanye songs is “Blood on the Leaves.” It’s a high point on a not so great album to be sure, but the important thing is how “Strange Fruit” is like the perfect mission statement for Nina Simone. It’s the perfect entry point for the uninitiated. Sure there are better songs (duh, this is just the number 7 spot) and it’s not like every other song is in this vein. However, it speaks to Nina’s place in the civil rights movement and you can’t not feel something while listening to it.
Song/Rank:
#6- “See-Line Woman” [Broadway-Blues-Ballads (1964)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
”Bad News” by Kanye West
”Natalie” by Bruno Mars
Why Though:
I actually heard the Feist cover first, thanks to Gillian’s love for Feist. But, believe it or not, there’s just a tad more soul in the Nina Simone version. The percussion on this track is so dope that Kanye and Bruno used it pretty much untouched. The secret weapon though, is the Ron Burgandy-esque flute work.
Song/Rank:
#5- “Mr. Bojangles” [Here Comes the Sun (1971)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
”Jump Hi” by Lion Babe (ft. Childish Gambino)
Why Though:
Yeah I know this is a cover, but the way Nina’s voice is layered on this track is something to behold. Then we have to talk about the softness. It’s not the same kind of inviting softness from “I Wish I Knew” there’s a sorrow hidden in there. It makes me feel a weird sadness that I’m not all together opposed to. It’s on the same level of “What Would I Do?” from The Wiz! The bass, guitar, and amazing strings also help make this song special. You know the vocals were on point because Childish Gambino actually rapped on the song above instead of trying to croon like Nina.
Song/Rank:
#4- “Mississippi Goddam” [Nina Simone in Concert (1964)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
”Uncle Sam Goddamn” by Brother Ali
”Alabama Gotdamn” by Yelawolf
Why Though:
This is like the more aggressive “Strange Fruit.” Like yeah, you feel something, now let’s do something about it! Original fight music.
Song/Rank:
#3- “Ain’t Got No - I Got Life” [‘Nuff Said (1968)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
It’s a cover of Hair
Why Though:
I feel like I should just see Hair finally. While listening to this song with Pauline I was like “this sounds like it would be part of Hair.” Let me find out, that’s exactly where it’s from. Only, as Miss Simone is known to do, she made this song her own. Everything about this song works for me. The bass, the horn stabs, the piano, the organ and of course Nina’s voice
Song/Rank:
#2- “Baltimore” [Baltimore (1978)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
”Caught Their Eyes” by JAY-Z (ft. Frank Ocean)
”The Ocean” by The Game (ft. Dr. Dre & Busta Rhymes)
Why Though:
Another song I wouldn’t have known without hearing it sampled on what I’ve now decided is the 5th best JAY-Z album. The Caribbean vibes are a welcome inclusion over the still good Randy Newman version. Both artists have infectious phrasing throughout their songs, but Nina brought the funk.
Song/Rank:
#1- “Sinnerman” [Pastel Blues (1965)]
Where It’s Been Sampled:
”Oh Timbaland” by Timbaland
”Get By” by Talib Kweli
Why Though:
As a faithful visitor to this site, you’ll know how I feel about “Oh Timbaland” and how I kept trying to track down where the sample was from. The energy on this track always gets me. There are multiple great piano sections, there’s some deceptively cool guitar work and… like it even needed to be said… Nina giving a tour de force performance on the vocals.
-YG