Simone gave voice to the need to be free in ways that were furious, heartbreaking, and laced with sarcasm, sometimes in the same line. Billy Taylor's I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free is my freedom song suggestion, which Nina recorded.
Speaking of her ability to carry so many different emotions in her voice, I was recently introduced to this live performance of "Brown Baby" which is extraordinary -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBfO4-PVQwA
Certainly Joan Baez. Her version of We Shall Overcome. And I would argue many songs by Alice Keys are freedom songs. (I love Alicia Keys!) Girl On Fire particularly.
Well, besides Young, Gifted & Black which I first remember hearing on a Jamaican music box set that I love I’m going with I Wish I Knew How It Would Ferl To Be Free. I love it when Tedeschi Trucks play that one.
Great read
Here's a few more:
Black Boys on Mopeds by Sinead O'Connor
Z by Carrie Rodriguez
Up Above My Head by Sister Rosetta Thorpe
Not the Tremblin Kind by Laura Cantrell
A couple
Patti Smith -- "The People Have The Power"
Stevie Nicks -- "The Lighthouse" (https://bourbonandvinyl.net/2024/09/27/new-song-stevie-nicks-new-powerful-protest-song-the-lighthouse-a-womans-rights-anthem-for-these-troubled-times/)
Roberta Flack -- "Go Up Moses"
Kirsty MacColl -- "Free World"
found this, has some I had not heard before. https://thestoryexchange.org/12-songs-by-women-artists-to-light-your-social-justice-fires/
Also, Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves
Such a great piece. Much needed at this moment in history. Thank you for creating excellent content once again.
"For what it's Worth" 1966, Buffalo Springfield ""I think it's time we stop, hey Children, what's that sound? Everybody look, what's going down"
Simone gave voice to the need to be free in ways that were furious, heartbreaking, and laced with sarcasm, sometimes in the same line. Billy Taylor's I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free is my freedom song suggestion, which Nina recorded.
Speaking of her ability to carry so many different emotions in her voice, I was recently introduced to this live performance of "Brown Baby" which is extraordinary -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBfO4-PVQwA
It really is, Nick. Simone didn't just sing songs; she inhabited them.
Such a powerful piece. Thank you!
Such moving emotions - love her!
Let me know your freedom song suggestions for the playlist!
It does not get much better than Nina Simone…
Any freedom song suggestions for the playlist?
I also like the rockers, Rage Against the Machine (anything really) 'Killing In The Name', 'Wake Up', and Green Day, 'American Idiot'
Love those songs. Any from female artists you like?
Certainly Joan Baez. Her version of We Shall Overcome. And I would argue many songs by Alice Keys are freedom songs. (I love Alicia Keys!) Girl On Fire particularly.
Added to the playlist!! Thx. 🙏🏻
My choice of freedom song would be “Declare Independence” by Björk!
Also, this write-up inspired me to put a hold on the ‘I Put a Spell on You’ autobiography at my library💜
Love it! And you’ll love the bio.
Yeah, that Nina, she was young, gifted and Black.
What song would you like added to the Freedom Songs playlist?
Well, besides Young, Gifted & Black which I first remember hearing on a Jamaican music box set that I love I’m going with I Wish I Knew How It Would Ferl To Be Free. I love it when Tedeschi Trucks play that one.
Amazing one!!