Nina Simone's rendition of Feeling Good has become one of her most famous and beloved recordings. Her version, arranged and produced by Hal Mooney, was recorded in New York in January 1965. The song's arrangement is particularly notable for its dramatic build-up - beginning with a spare, haunting flute solo before expanding into a full orchestral jazz arrangement that perfectly complements Simone's powerful vocals. The song's lyrics express a sense of renewal and freedom, with vivid imagery of nature and new beginnings. Each verse draws parallels between natural phenomena ("birds flying high," "sun in the sky," "breeze drifting on by") and personal liberation, reflecting themes that were particularly resonant during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The song has been featured extensively in media, including Casino (1995), Six Feet Under (2005), and various commercial campaigns
A 2002 Joe Claussell remix for Verve Remixed introduced Nina Simone's vocals to electronic music audiences
Publications like American Songwriter and The Guardian have ranked Feeling Good among Simone's greatest works, praising its emotional depth and vocal mastery
Commercial Success and Legacy
Feeling Good has achieved remarkable commercial success and critical acclaim over the decades:
- The song gained renewed popularity when featured in a Volkswagen commercial, reaching No. 40 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1994. This placement introduced the track to new audiences nearly three decades after its initial release.
- Its commercial success is evidenced by multiple Platinum certifications in countries including the United Kingdom and Italy, demonstrating its strong cross-cultural appeal.
Nina Simone's powerful interpretation has established Feeling Good as a timeless classic in both her repertoire and popular music. The song's enduring relevance stems from its universal message of hope and transformation, enhanced by Simone's ability to blend personal emotion with broader social significance. Notable artists including Muse, Michael Bublé, and George Michael have recorded their own versions, all acknowledging Simone's definitive rendition as their inspiration.
Feeling Good
Nina Simone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life for me
And I'm feeling good
Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life for me
And I'm feeling good
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done that's what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world for me
It's a new life for me
And it's a new dawn, it's a new day
And I'm feeling good
And I'm feeling good
Nina Simone's "Feeling Good" is an anthem for those who are finally discovering a new beginning. The song is a dazzling portrayal of confidence and self-assurance, where the singer sings about feeling empowered and invincible. The scene is set with the opening lines, where Simone compares the world to a new beginning, something fresh and exciting. She describes the feeling of liberation and unbounded possibilities that lie in front of her. The use of imagery evokes a sense of awe and grandeur, like stars shining and a scent of fresh pine. These vivid descriptions allow the listener to visualize and feel the ecstasy of the song.
The next verse of the song continues this uplifting attitude, comparing the freedom and joy of life to the carefree fluttering of dragonflies and butterflies. Simone sings about the peace and tranquility of experiencing and embracing the end of the day. The chorus is repeated twice more, emphasizing Simone's excitement about the new beginning and the potential of new opportunities.
The final verse brings it all together, declaring that freedom is hers, and she knows how it feels. With this, Nina Simone brings the listener on a journey of self-discovery and liberation, allowing them to find their voice and recognize the power and potential they possess.
Line by Line Meaning
Birds flying high, you know how I feel
The feeling of being free and limitless, just like the birds flying high
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
The feeling of warmth and comfort, just like the sun in the sky
Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel
The feeling of calmness and ease, just like the breeze drifting by
It's a new dawn
The start of a new day and a new beginning
It's a new day
The opportunity to experience and accomplish new things
It's a new life for me, yeah
Having a fresh start, a new perspective and a chance to pursue happiness
Fish in the sea, you know how I feel
The abundance of opportunities and possibilities, like the fish in the sea
River running free, you know how I feel
The flowing, energetic and liberated feeling of the river running free
Blossom on the tree, you know how I feel
The beauty, growth and potential represented by the blossom on the tree
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know?
The feeling of being alive and the awareness of the world's beauty, that can be represented by a dragonfly out in the sun
Butterflies all havin' fun, you know what I mean
The joyfulness and carefree nature, that can be reflected in the butterflies having fun
Sleep in peace when day is done, that's what I mean
The satisfaction and comfort that comes from a peaceful and fulfilling day
And this old world, is a new world
The perception of the world as a new and exciting place, with endless possibilities
And a bold world for me, yeah-yeah
A world to explore and take risks in, with a sense of self-confidence and courage
Stars when you shine, you know how I feel
The awe-inspiring and majestic feeling of the shining stars
Scent of the pine, you know how I feel
The invigorating, refreshing and peaceful sensation conveyed by the scent of pine
Oh, freedom is mine
The sense of freedom of thought, expression and feeling
And I know how I feel
Having a deep and clear comprehension of oneself and one's emotions
It's a new dawn
The beginning of a new phase of life or a new project
It's a new day
A fresh start and a new opportunity to pursue happiness and fulfillment
It's a new life for me
A revitalizing change, with new possibilities and experiences
I'm feeling good
The state of being content, energized and positive
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
Just unbelievable, I dig it. Great music & artists.
@lucasmartinez5351
Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
I'm feeling good
Fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River running free
You know how I feel
Blossom on a tree
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun, you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done, that's what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me
For me
Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh, freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
I'm feeling good
I feel so good
I feel so good
@NinaSimoneMusic
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@jesusreyes7685
https://youtu.be/VafXwQGS24I
@gwoof3182
Liking it good
@Reyes-jk8yz
👌👌👌👌👌
@Jelissei
I read "teeth" and was surpised she still needed new teeth : (
@captainaryan26
जबर्दस्त प्रदर्शन
@funinthekitchen844
Imagine, there's a whole generation who's about to discover this masterpiece, for the first time in their life... ❤️👑💋
@bodosam7798
I'm one of them
@nnedi7789
@@bodosam7798 ,
Well alright dear one