Greta Gerwig picks her favourite Nina Simone song: “I’m attracted to voices”
Marooned at sea, surrounded by sand and desperately carving SOS signals into every available surface, the sound of music would bring more respite than ever before. But whose singing would soothe a desert island stranding the most? Perhaps the dulcet tones of Sam Cooke, or the power of Freddie Mercury. For director Greta Gerwig, the voice of choice would be Nina Simone.
With a voice that swung effortlessly between emotions, between high and low, Simone is undoubtedly one of the greatest singers of all time. She had unparalleled control and technical prowess without ever compromising on vulnerability and depth of feeling. Sparking awe and comfort at the same time, she seems like the perfect pick for desert island accompaniment.
During an appearance on BBC’s Desert Island Discs, the Barbie director picked out Simone’s 1968 track ‘Ain’t Got No, I Got Life’ as part of her playlist. “I think I’m attracted to voices,” she admitted before deeming Simone’s the “greatest”. The song shows off that unparalleled singing ability, “the pain and the joy in her voice,” but it’s also the perfect lyrical choice for a desert island disc.
Pulling from two of Simone’s songs, their former names separated by a comma in the title, ‘Ain’t Got No, I Got Life’ is full of appreciation for the little things. Amidst gorgeous keys and warm jazz, Simone spends the first half of the song detailing all the things she lacks – money, children, love – landing on the nihilistic question, “Why am I alive anyway?”
But as the soul soundscape finds its rhythm, Simone finds appreciation for everything she does have. For her hair and head, for her heart and soul, for her life and freedom. It’s a gorgeous reminder that, even as we want for more, we should take the time to appreciate those everyday things – the enduring power of our bodies and the freedoms they allow us.
Alongside her admiration for Simone’s voice, this message of the song filtered into Gerwig’s decision to include it. “I also thought, given that I’m on a desert island,” she explained, “this was a celebration of what you have and not what’s missing.” It’s certainly the perfect song to find gratitude amidst an unexpected stranding.
While it might be challenging to find things to be grateful for on an uninhabited island, Simone’s voice could compel almost anyone to do so. Even as you might long for a ship to take you away, for an aeroplane overhead, or for any sign of life, comfort can be found in her words. “I’ve got my arms, got my hands, got my finders, got my legs,” still stands even on a desert island, even though “I’ve got my freedom” might sting.
‘Ain’t Got No, I Got Life’ is a stellar desert island pick from Gerwig, a song that soothes in the tones of Simone’s voice and in the content of it. It’s warm and familiar in its instrumentation, singalong worthy and danceable for those castaways with a little more energy. It contains all the frustrations of not having enough, of longing for more, but it’s a reminder to be thankful for what you have. It just might be the perfect desert island tune.
Revisit ‘Ain’t Got No, I Got Life’ by Nina Simone below.
