Songs to Sing: The Best of Nina Simone

~ Release by Nina Simone (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Tracklist

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CD 1
#TitleRatingLength
1Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1964-06)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1964-06)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1964-06)
orchestra:
Horace Ott's Orchestra (in 1964-06)
conductor:
Horace Ott (in 1964-06)
arranger:
Horace Ott
recording of:
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (in 1964-06)
writer:
Bennie Benjamin, Sol Marcus and Horace Ott
publisher:
Bennie Benjamin Music Inc., Carlin Music Corporation, Chris-n-Jen Music, WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) and Unichappell Music, Inc. (in 1981)
42:48
2See Line Woman
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1964-03-21)
producer:
Hal Mooney
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (on 1964-03-21)
vocals and conductor:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (on 1964-03-21)
arranger:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
recorded at:
Carnegie Hall in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1964-03-21)
cover recording of:
See-Line Woman (on 1964-03-21)
writer:
George Bass and Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
is based on:
Sea Lion Woman
2.652:40
3My Baby Just Cares for Me
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
double bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1958)
recorded at:
Beltone Studios in New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
cover recording of:
My Baby Just Cares for Me (in 1957-12)
lyricist:
Gus Kahn
composer:
Walter Donaldson
publisher:
Anne-Rachel Music Corp., Chappell Music Co. Inc., Donaldson Publishing Company, Donaldson, Douglas & Gumble Inc., EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS-affiliated), Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd., Gus Kahn Music Co., The Songwriters Guild and Tobago Music Co.
43:38
4Love Me or Leave Me
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
double bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1958)
recorded at:
Beltone Studios in New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
cover recording of:
Love Me or Leave Me (in 1957-12)
lyricist:
Gus Kahn
composer:
Walter Donaldson
publisher:
EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS-affiliated), Keith Prowse Music Publishing Co. Ltd., Keith Prowse Music Publishing Ltd., WB Music Corp. (1929–2019), Donaldson Publishing Company (in 1928, in 1955) and Gilbert Keyes Music Company (in 1928, in 1955)
4.653:23
5Strange Fruit
producer:
Hal Mooney
cover recording of:
Strange Fruit (from 1965-05-19 until 1965-05-20)
lyricist and composer:
Lewis Allan
publisher:
Basart Editions, Carlin Music Corporation, Edward B. Marks Music Co. (founded originally as J. Stern & Co. in 1894, renamed in 1919) and Music Sales Corporation (American copyright holder in both popular and classical music)
version of:
Bitter Fruit
4.53:29
6I Put a Spell on You
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1965-01-15)
producer:
Hal Mooney
guitar:
Rudy Stevenson (on 1965-01-15)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (on 1965-01-15)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (on 1965-01-15)
conductor:
Hal Mooney (on 1965-01-15)
arranger:
Hal Mooney
cover recording of:
I Put a Spell on You (on 1965-01-15)
lyricist and composer:
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
publisher:
EMI Unart Catalog Inc. (in 1956) and EMI United Partnership Ltd. (in 1956)
4.32:36
7Break Down and Let It All Out
cover recording of:
Break Down and Let It All Out
lyricist and composer:
Van McCoy
42:40
8Ain’t Got No, I Got Life
lead vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Entertainment (in 1968)
live cover recording of:
Ain’t Got No, I Got Life
lyricist:
James Rado (US actor, playwright, director, writer & composer) and Gerome Ragni
composer:
Galt MacDermot (Canadian composer, pianist and writer of musical theatre)
publisher:
EMI U Catalog (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and EMI United Partnership Ltd.
medley of:
Ain’t Got No (from “Hair”)
medley of:
I Got Life (from “Hair”)
4:40
9The House of the Rising Sun
cover recording of:
House of the Rising Sun
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
publisher:
Beechwood Music Corp., Ole Cantaloupe Music and Sonet Publishing Ltd.
6:57
10Do What You Gotta Do
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Entertainment (in 1968)
live cover recording of:
Do What You Gotta Do
lyricist and composer:
Jimmy Webb (US songwriter, composer, producer, pianist & singer)
publisher:
EMI Songs Ltd., Jonathan Three Music Co., Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC (1995–2020) and Sosahamu Music Inc. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
3:48
11Mississippi Goddam
recording of:
Mississippi Goddam
lyricist and composer:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
publisher:
Sam Fox Publishing Co. (LDN) Ltd. and Sam Fox Publishing Company (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
4:43
12Don’t Smoke in Bed
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Philips (publisher; do NOT use as release label) (in 1964)
recorded at:
Beltone Studios in New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
cover recording of:
Don’t Smoke in Bed (in 1957-12)
lyricist and composer:
Willard Robison
publisher:
MCA Music Ltd. and Oriole Music Corp.
43:12
13He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1959)
cover recording of:
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands (in 1957-12)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
publisher:
Thandewye Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
lyrics quoted on:
Sold! To the Nice Rich Man!
3:10
14Mood Indigo
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Phillips (publisher; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966)
recorded at:
Beltone Studios in New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
cover recording of:
Mood Indigo (1930 jazz composition and song) (in 1957-12)
lyricist:
Irving Mills (in 1930)
composer:
Barney Bigard (in 1930) and Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1930)
publisher:
EMI Mills Music Inc. (ASCAP-affiliated) (in 1930), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS-affiliated) (in 1930) and Lawrence Wright Music Co., Ltd. (in 1930)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
54:02
15I Loves You Porgy
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano and lead vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1958)
cover recording of:
I Loves You, Porgy (use this for non-operatic performances) (in 1957-12)
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward
composer:
George Gershwin (composer)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., New Dawn Music, Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner/Chappell Music Holland BV, Warner/Chappell North America and Gershwin Publishing Corp (in 1935)
version of:
Porgy and Bess: Act II, Scene III. “I loves you, Porgy”
44:11
16For All We Know
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
double bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1959)
cover recording of:
For All We Know (1934 song) (in 1957-12)
lyricist:
Sam M. Lewis (1930s lyricist) (in 1934)
composer:
J. Fred Coots (in 1934)
publisher:
Bienstock Publishing Company (ASCAP affiliated) (ended), Cromwell Music, Inc. (ended), EMI Feist Catalog Inc. (ended), Leo Feist, Inc. (ended), Redwood Music Ltd. (Carlin) (ended), Tro-Cromwell Music, Inc. (ended), John F. Coots Jr. Trust Music, Sis ’n Bro Music Company and Toy Town Tunes, Inc.
4:01
17Black Is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair
producer:
Jack Gold
arranger:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
cover recording of:
Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair (Arranged by Nina Simone) (in 1964)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
arranger:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
arrangement of:
Black Is the Colour (of My True Love’s Hair)
3.53:29
18Four Women
recording of:
Four Women
lyricist and composer:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
publisher:
EMI Tunes Ltd
4:28
19Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out
producer:
Hal Mooney
arranger:
Stu Phillips (US TV/film composer, conductor & producer)
cover recording of:
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out (from 1965-05-19 until 1965-05-20)
lyricist and composer:
Jimmy Cox
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
3.52:41
20No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed
cover recording of:
No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed
lyricist and composer:
Richie Havens
publisher:
B. Feldman & Co. Ltd. (publisher est. 1946) and Nicklewhistle Music
4:04
CD 2
#TitleRatingLength
1To Be Young, Gifted and Black
recording of:
To Be Young, Gifted and Black
lyricist:
Weldon Irvine
composer:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
5:07
2After You’ve Gone
lead vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships) (in 1977)
live cover recording of:
After You’ve Gone
lyricist:
Henry Creamer (in 1918)
composer:
Turner Layton (in 1918)
publisher:
Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd. and Morley Music Corp.
part of:
For Me and My Gal (1942 movie)
5:40
3I’ll Look Around
cover recording of:
I’ll Look Around
lyricist:
Douglass Cross (US songwriter)
composer:
George Cory
publisher:
Universal/MCA Music Ltd. (not for release label use!)
2:46
4When I Was in My Prime
cover recording of:
When I Was in My Prime (Nina Simone)
writer:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
publisher:
Thandewye Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
4:18
5Ain’t No Use
lead vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Phillips (publisher; do NOT use as release label) (in 1966)
live recording of:
Ain’t No Use
writer:
Rudy Stevenson
publisher:
EMI Tunes Ltd
2:46
6You’ll Never Walk Alone
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI-owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1998)
recorded at:
Beltone Studios in New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
instrumental cover recording of:
You’ll Never Walk Alone (Carousel) (in 1957-12)
lyricist:
Oscar Hammerstein II (of Rodgers & Hammerstein)
composer:
Richard Rodgers (composer)
publisher:
Chappell Music Ltd., EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS-affiliated), T.B. Harms Co., Williamson Music Company and Williamson Music, Inc.
part of:
Carousel (Rodgers & Hammerstein musical)
cover recording of:
You’ll Never Walk Alone (Carousel)
lyricist:
Oscar Hammerstein II (of Rodgers & Hammerstein)
composer:
Richard Rodgers (composer)
publisher:
Chappell Music Ltd., EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS-affiliated), T.B. Harms Co., Williamson Music Company and Williamson Music, Inc.
part of:
Carousel (Rodgers & Hammerstein musical)
53:48
7Little Girl Blue
bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1958)
recorded at:
Beltone Studios in New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
cover recording of:
Little Girl Blue (in 1957-12)
lyricist:
Lorenz Hart (in 1935)
composer:
Richard Rodgers (composer) (in 1935)
publisher:
Chappell Music Ltd., Lorenz Hart Publishing Co., T.B. Harms, Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. (existed only since ca. 1998), Warner Chappell North America, WC Music Corp., Williamson Music Company, シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント, ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (holding company - do not use as release label), ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部
part of:
Jumbo
4.54:19
8African Mailman
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
double bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1959)
recording of:
African Mailman (in 1957-12)
composer:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
publisher:
Sam Fox Publishing Co. Ltd.
3:11
9Central Park Blues
double bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1958)
recording of:
Central Park Blues
composer:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
publisher:
Memory Music Lane Ltd.
43:07
10He Needs Me
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
double bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1958)
recorded at:
Beltone Studios in New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
cover recording of:
He Needs Me (in 1957-12)
lyricist and composer:
Arthur Hamilton
publisher:
Warner Chappell North America
52:30
11Good Bait
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1958)
recorded at:
Beltone Studios in New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
instrumental cover recording of:
Good Bait (in 1957-12)
lyricist:
Tadd Dameron
composer:
Count Basie (pianist) and Tadd Dameron
publisher:
Redwood Music Ltd. (Carlin) and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
3.655:28
12Plain Gold Ring
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist) (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
PolyGram Records Inch (not for release label use! US division of PolyGram) (in 1964)
recorded at:
Beltone Studios in New York, New York, United States (in 1957-12)
cover recording of:
Plain Gold Ring (in 1957-12)
lyricist:
George Stone (composer)
composer:
Blue Sky Black Death (US hip hop production duo), Earl Burroughs and George Stone (composer)
publisher:
Thandewye Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Hank Snow Music (on 1959-09-21)
33:51
13The Assignment Song
lead vocals:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Entertainment (in 1969)
live recording of:
The Assignment Song
writer:
Jan Hendin
publisher:
EMI Tunes Ltd
14:55
14I Sing Just to Know I’m Alive
recording of:
I Sing Just to Know That I’m Alive
lyricist and composer:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
publisher:
Thandewye Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
2:33
15Gin House Blues
cover recording of:
Gin House Blues
composer:
Fletcher Henderson (in 1925) and Henry Troy (in 1925)
publisher:
Carlin Music Corp
4:56
16The Other Woman
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
VPI Records USA (in 1987)
live cover recording of:
The Other Woman
writer:
Jessie Mae Robinson
publisher:
Thandewye Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
4:17
17You Took My Teeth
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
VPI Records USA (in 1987)
recording of:
You Took My Teeth
writer:
Nina Simone (US singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist)
publisher:
Thandewye Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
1:10
18Pirate Jenny
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Phillips (publisher; do NOT use as release label) (in 1964)
cover recording of:
The Threepenny Opera: Pirate Jenny (Marc Blitzstein translation)
lyricist:
Bertolt Brecht
composer:
Kurt Weill (composer)
translator:
Marc Blitzstein
publisher:
Universal Edition Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Weill-Brecht-Harms Co., Inc.
translated version of:
Die Dreigroschenoper: Akt I. Die Seeräuberjenny
4:45
19Zungo
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Colpix Records (a/k/a Colpix Records) (in 1962)
recording of:
Zungo (Olatunji)
publisher:
Thandewye Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
2:34