Most modern music lovers know the composition Feeling Good performed by Nina Simone or the rock band Muse. And only the most knowledgeable music lovers know that the song was first heard in the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd, for which it was written specifically.
It has since become a standard and has been played by many famous singers and bands.
The history of creation and the meaning of the song Feeling Good
The song was composed by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. They shared copyright while working together, but it is known that Bricasse wrote the lyrics and Newley worked on the music. The public first heard the composition on August 3, 1964, when Cy Grant sang it at the premiere of the musical in Nottingham. Later, when the production moved to Broadway, the song was performed by Gilbert Price.
According to the plot, it sounds from the lips of a dark-skinned guy who defeated one of the main characters while he was arguing with another character about the rules of the game. Having defeated his opponent, he began to sing Feeling Good.
In the Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre, Stanley Greene called it “the resonant song of emancipation.”
During 1965, the composition was recorded and released by several musicians, including Cy Grant, Anthony Newley, John Coltrane and others.
Feeling GoodNina Simone
In the same year, the song was performed by Nina Simone, who included the track in the album I Put a Spell on You, but did not release it as a single. In this format, her version of Feeling Good was released only in 1987, after it sounded in an advertisement for fabric softener and became very popular. Then the song climbed into the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart.
Cover versions
We will not list all those who performed Feeling Good in subsequent years. This list can be found in the Wikipedia entry for the song.
We only note the version of the rock band Muse, which the popular NME magazine called the greatest cover of all time. In a similar vote by Total Guitar, the song came in fifth place.
Interesting Facts
- Bellamy said that they decided to record Feeling Good because it was his mother’s favorite song.
- Various versions of the song are featured in many commercials (Nescafe, Buick, Virgin Atlantic), movies (Seven Pounds, Luther, trailer for The Family), and computer games (The Saboteur).
- Nescafe used Muse’s Feeling Good without the band’s consent. They were later forced to replace her with a version of Nina Simone and paid the British rockers compensation, which they donated to the charity Oxfam.
Feeling Good lyrics
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
chorus:
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good
Fish in the sea, you know how I feel
River running free, you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree, you know how I feel
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 the day is done
That’s what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
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
Feel Good Lyrics Alternative
Birds in the sky, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
The breeze blowing by, you know how I feel
Chorus:
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
This is a new life
For me
And I feel good
Fish in the sea, you know how I feel
River running free, you know how I feel
Color on the trees, you know how I feel
Dragonfly in the sun, you know what I mean, don’t you
Butterflies that are having fun together, you know what I want to say
Sleep peacefully when the day is done
That’s what I want to say
And this old world is the new world
And a brave world
For me
Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Pine scent, you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
