Categories: news

Found Performance: “I Put A Spell On You” by Nina Simone

One of the best known versions of “I Put A Spell On You” is by legendary jazz and blues performer Nina Simone. Her recording reached #23 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart in 1965. There are very few videos of Simone singing this classic song. This “Found Performance” is from Simone’s 1968 live performance in the United Kingdom.

“I Put A Spell On You” is an interesting story. “Screamin’” Jay Hawkins wrote, composed and performed the original version back in 1956. Although it was somewhat popular, or at least notorious and talked about over the years, his record was wild (with grunting) and his stage performances included a voodoo theme and his crawling out of a coffin. The majority of radio stations wouldn’t play it — too controversial and, therefore, the record failed to chart. However, Hawkin’s rendition of his song is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

There have been several other cover versions of “I Put A Spell On You.” The one that reached the highest position on the Billboard Hot 100 (#58 in 1968) was by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Other cover versions worth mentioning were by The Allan Price Set, Bryan Ferry, Marilyn Manson and Sonique.

Technical: This is shortened version of her song, but it is unedited and as she performed it live. The video quality and the sound have been enhanced, and the lip sync corrected, to improve the overall quality of this more than 50 year old archival recording.

Steven Smith

Presently editor and historical writer with QZVX.COM. Experienced former radio broadcaster and radio station owner, 1970-1999. Journalism and speech communications degrees. I enjoy researching articles and online reporting that allows me to meld together words, audio and video. View other articles by Steven Smith

Next Streams Gone Mental »

Previous « January 23, 1969 Radio Notes

View Comments

August 15, 2020 at QZVX

Jay Hamilton says:

Steve ~ Great Nina Simone find! I only wish the performance could have been 4 or 5 minutes longer.
I’ve always been a fan of Nina’s. I first discovered her in 1959 with her wonderful rendition and #18 Pop Hit of “I Loves You Porgy” (#2 on the R&B Chart). Still one of my favorite recordings. Even as a young man her voice and style touched my musical sensibilities. She’s a rare talent! I have a number of her CDs in my collection.

Reply
August 15, 2020 at QZVX

Steven Smith says:

Jay….it would have been nice if longer but that is one of those take what you can get situations

Reply
August 15, 2020 at QZVX

Jay Hamilton says:

Steve ~ Oh, I understand from what you’d said in your post that Nina’s performance of “Spell” was all you could get length wise.
I was just a wishin’ and a hopin’.

Reply
- August 15, 2020 at QZVX
  
  Steven Smith says:
  
  There is another version of her doing the song. It was about 30 years later and on these performances when I can I try to get a version of the person performing it near the same time it was a hit…at least when possible.
  https://youtu.be/klIcu7r46Ig
  
  Reply
- August 15, 2020 at QZVX
  
  Steven Smith says:
  
  Jay…I knew that you got it. So isn’t that line Wishin’ and hopin’ in a song? It is familiar. As for Nina, I think there are some of her longer performances out there, but not of that cut. And as a result of our earlier video swap you know why I wanted that particular tune.
  
  Reply
August 15, 2020 at QZVX

Jay Hamilton says:

Steve ~ Here you go…
“A Wishin’ and A Hopin'” (a-takin’ a-liberties with the actual title).
https://youtu.be/CXP7tt7TQUk

Reply