Nina Simone’s Premiere of “Black Bird”
In expressing my greatest and general passion for Nina Simone as a musician and human being, her music and way of musicianship has sinced changed the fate and or history of black music in America. In seeing and going into detail about the premiere of “Black Bird”, we see the meaning and the articulation that was played out when this song was created and many had began to listen to it. When expressing Nina’s life, we see the disproportionate and unfair treatment that she was dealt within being Black in America. The racism and also the pain that many Black Americans would have to deal with everyday was horrid, and in this song it expresses the sorrow and also the reality that many like Simone would have to deal with everyday. This song was released and produced in 1966, at the time when the Civil Rights movement was in motion and many Black Americans were fighting for justice and prevailance of voice and opinion in their communities and lives. Nina releasing this song had since at the time opened the door and paved the way for many Black Americans that felt as though their voice was not being heard. In this, giving a voice to the voiceless.
When reading more about her life, she felt as though she never was able to complete her goal in life and was not proud her said achievements. This in retrospect, shows that many black americans who were successful simply felt as though they were not deemed worthy because of the racist and confirmist, societal views that were placed on them at birth. I also found out at the time, she was dealing with a mental disorder. With so much pain and struggle, and having to deal with her inner demons you can see how she expressed her sentiment and emotion for how she feels in “Black Bird”, and how it symbolizes the idea of someone not being saved to redemption. This song speaks volumes, and shows how she was trapped in singing for the world, but her soul felt as though she needed to do it. And in this, being black and having these harsh conditions put under her had since made her feel like she was not worthy, and since lost herself in her sorrow and depression. This greatly shows how much racism can take from a human being, and can make them feel small and inhuman.
May she rest in paradise, and I know in some way that this piece has since changed and given hope to present Black Americans now. They are the future, after all. What I really enjoyed about this piece was the general instrumentation. It was so simply, yet so eloquent and unique. The main instrument was her voice, alongside a background beat and or rythym of drums when she begins singing. Her voice expresses so much depth and darkness, but also has clarity and easy understanding for how she truly felt in that said moment. A very amazing piece. I hope she is resting well, wherever she may be. The “High Priestess of Soul”.
Here is a link to the video of “Black Bird” By Nina Simone:
And here is an article that speaks more upon “Black Bird” & and some other pieces she had made during her time of being a musician during the 1960’s.
and her website;
Here are the lyrics to “Black Bird”;
“Why you want to fly Blackbird you ain’t ever gonna fly
No place bif enough for holding all the tears you’re gonna cry
’cause your mama’s name was lonely and your daddy’s name was pain
And they call you little sorrow ’cause you’ll never love again
So why you want to fly Blackbird you ain’t ever gonna fly
You ain’t got no one to hold you you ain’t got no one to care
If you’d only understand dear nobody wants you anywhere
So why you want to fly Blackbird you ain’t ever gonna fly”
I hope you enjoyed!
