I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free (1967) – Nina Simone

Nina Simone. I used to cross paths with her in New York City in the Village Gate nightclub. She was an artist I definitely looked up to. She recorded some of my songs that she learned directly from me, sitting in a dressing room. She was an overwhelming artist, piano player and singer. Very strong woman, very outspoken and dynamite to see perform. That she was recording my songs validated everything that I was about. Nina was the kind of artist that I loved and admired.
– Bob Dylan (Musicares Person of the Year 2015 Award)

If there was ever a song which exuded the sound the album title conveyed, then surely it must go to today’s featured track – I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free by the late-great Nina Simone. This widely played version of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement anthem was recorded by Nina Simone in 1967 on her Silk & Soul album. Her voice brings forth such a poignant representation of the words in this song.
I Wish I Knew was written by American musician Billy Taylor. Taylor’s original was recorded in 1963, and released on his Right Here, Right Now! album.

I wish I knew how it would feel to be free
I wish I could break all the chains holding me
I wish I could say all the things that I should say
Say ’em loud, say ’em clear
For the whole round world to hear

I wish I could share all the love that’s in my heart
Remove all the bars that keep us apart
I wish you could know what it means to be me
Then you’d see and agree
That every man should be free

I wish I could give all I’m longing to give
I wish I could live like I’m longing to live
I wish I could do all the things that I can do
Though I’m way overdue, I’d be starting anew

I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free is the second song to feature here from Nina Simone after her mesmerising Ain’t Got No, I Got Life (1968). My 2019 article doesn’t do that song the least bit of justice, but the one thing it does have going for it is Nick Cave’s account of Nina in two short videos. I consider both videos compulsory viewing for any contemporary music enthusiast.

The following was information was sourced from the 2nd Wikipedia article below:

Nina Simone was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, composer, arranger and civil rights activist. Her music spanned styles including classical, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and pop.

The sixth of eight children born into a poor family in Tryon, North Carolina, Simone initially aspired to be a concert pianist. With the help of a few supporters in her hometown, she enrolled in the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. She then applied for a scholarship to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where, despite a well received audition, she was denied admission, which she attributed to racism. In 2003, just days before her death, the Institute awarded her an honorary degree.

References:
1. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free – Nina Simone – Wikipedia
2. Nina Simone – Wikipedia

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“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand