Nina Simone: "Voice of The Civil Rights Movement"
When Music and Purpose become one: An Martin Luther King Day Tribute
These are dark and turbulent times in the United States. Let’s not fool ourselves; times have always been dark and turbulent to varying degrees for our U.S. sisters and brothers who are not white Christians or who radically champion equal rights for all genders, races, religions, and ages. On Martin Luther King Day 2026, I am hyper sensitive to how easy it is to lose our fundamental rights as I see news and videos of the authoritarian-sponsored violence that infiltrates our neighborhoods, schools, and peaceful gathering places.
"The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free." – Maya Angelou.
This is my first publication of 2026. It’s been hard to find my voice and organize my thoughts when friends, family, and neighbors suffer and fear for their safety. With personal health issues and family loss in 2025, it feels like I’m emotionally pulled in 10 directions simultaneously.
This morning I woke up and realized that PURPOSE is the antidote for feeling stuck or hopeless or overwhelmed or angry. Who is feeling all that right now? Am I alone here?!?
Enter the power of music. Poetic tales, thundering rhythms, celestial harmonies, and soaring solos can convey what’s in your heart in a way that you may not be able to express. We need our Freedom Songs now more than ever. My purpose today is to pay tribute to past and current artists who have put purpose above greed, peer pressure, security, and adoration. For this white suburban GenExer, that starts with Nina Simone.
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Nina Simone: “Voice of The Civil Rights Movement”
Musicians have always played a role in anti-establishment movements through song. Nina Simone, aka The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement, opened my eyes in so many ways to the struggles and history of oppression in our country when I read her autobiography I Put A Spell On You while researching my upcoming activity and coloring book First Ladies of Music.
Below is an excerpt from my book, so the words are fashioned for teen readers (but music lovers of all ages can appreciate the message). It is based on what I learned about Miss Nina’s unexpected introduction to and eventual public role in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and her friendships with Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders is a shining example of how music helps movements gain traction and incite change.
“I feel what they feel. And people who listen to me know that, and it makes them feel like they’re not alone.” - Nina Simone
Birth name: Eunice Waymon
Born: 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina
The Girl: A child prodigy who often felt lonely
The Woman: The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement
Super Power
By age three, Miss Nina could play songs on the piano just by hearing them. This is called absolute or perfect pitch.
HerStory
Miss Nina spent all her time practicing piano and studying at school so she could become a professional concert pianist. This left little time to make friends, especially because other kids didn’t share or understand her super power. Even after becoming a world-famous singer/musician with a husband and child, Miss Nina still didn’t feel like she fit in or that her music served a purpose.
Life Changer
Performer and international activist Miriam Makeba introduced Nina to the Civil Rights Movement. Miss Nina began fusing her classical/jazz/folk songs with soulful lyrics that reflected the times and struggles of women and African Americans. Not only did she form a strong circle of friends with a shared purpose, Miss Nina became known as “The Voice of The Civil Rights Movement.” One of those friends was Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Why? (The King of Love is Dead)” was written by bassist Gene Taylor and was first performed on stage three days after MLK’s death.
Scroll down for music videos covering Simone’s music from Brittany Howard, Lauren Hill, Berklee Black Lives Matter, Cynthia Erivo, Molly (and guests) and Debo Ray that you do not want to miss!
You can learn more about the hardships Miss Nina faced personally and professionally as a black woman and artist in this Hidden Tracks article.
What Is Your Favorite Freedom Song?
Help Herizon Music build its new “Freedom Songs 2.026” playlist on Qobuz. List the female or female-fronted act’s name and the freedom/civil rights song title in the comments, and I’ll add it to the list. Rock, country, gospel, jazz, blues, R&B, hip hop, punk, techno, pop… all genres are welcomed.
Here is a link to the playlist to get your creative juices and suggestions flowing. Your song suggestions can help others (including me!) cope with the emotional toll of social unrest and find renewed purpose, starting today. Add your faves to the comments, my goal is 50 songs.
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Feeling inspired? I am, thank the music gods. Please invite others to join our band of dreamers, rule breakers, and rockstars. Together, we RISE!
❤️🧡💛
Thea 🎶
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.
Such a powerful piece. Thank you!