The song Nina Simone thought should’ve been “the next Black national anthem”
Nina Simone didn’t just earn the title of the voice of a generation because of her immense talent. Granted, that was a huge aspect of her appeal, but another was how she blended personal experience with artistic expression. From an early age, Simone rejected the prophecy that her prejudice would define her and stood up in fearless defiance in the face of injustice.
Before earning global stardom, Simone stood out in a way that branded her destined for greatness. Even as a young girl, she knew the parameters of right and wrong more than her peers and dared to challenge the norm, knowing that the insidiousness that lurked beneath the surface could change if only one person felt ambitious enough to lead the charge.
For many, Simone was the torchbearer of justice, not just in her defiance but in her artistic abilities. Much of Simone’s music coasts the line between convention and discomfort, bridging the gap between her own despair and the beauty she held at the crux of her vocal ability. A lot of darkness surrounded her throughout her life, but armed with the power of song, Simone guided countless others into the light.
Like many others during the 1960s, Simone became deeply involved with the civil rights movement and used her art to challenge everything she deemed unfair. She embraced dark lyricism and melodic tones in a way others would deem experimental or potentially career-ending, but her desire to break the mould only strengthened her legacy and urged countless others to follow in her footsteps.
It isn’t difficult to detect this strength in many of her creative decisions, too. For instance, when Simone’s friend Lorraine Hansberry passed away in 1965 at the age of 34, she was faced with a new reality, one that presented her with immense gratitude for everything her friend had taught her. Hansberry might have been the first black writer to achieve a hit show on Broadway, but she also urged Simone to lean into her activism and fight for what she believed was right.
‘To Be Young, Gifted, And Black’ was Simone’s ode to her friend with a song titled after the play. The song’s tone might appear lighthearted, but Simone’s lyrics tap into the real experiences that haunt and define many others who came before her reign and those who came after. “In the whole world, you know / There are a billion boys and girls / Who are young, gifted and black / And that’s a fact!” She sings, celebrating everything there is to be proud of about her background.
According to Simone’s daughter, Lisa, the singer was so proud of her creation that she felt it was intense and important enough to become a sound to represent the ages. As she explained: “Mommy wanted ‘To Be Young, Gifted and Black’ to be the next Black national anthem.”
Simone continued: “She wasn’t a fan of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ and thought ‘To Be Young, Gifted and Black’ was more revolutionary. I can remember her telling me, ‘You need to know where you come from, and you need to know these words.'”
With an authenticity that could both celebrate and expose the positives and pitfalls of American history, there is no doubt that Simone’s voice and words will forever be attached to the sound of a generation who, in the crux of the trenches, believed in love, hope, and equitable restoration.
