Monthly Archives: December 2018

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Song of the Day #3,822: ‘I Put a Spell On You’ – Nina Simone

‘I Put a Spell On You’ was written and originally recorded by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in 1956.

Nine years later, Nina Simone recorded her version and had a minor hit on the R&B charts with it. The song was the lead-off track on an album also titled I Put a Spell On You — an album notable for also including the classic ‘Feeling Good.’

This song inspired John Lennon’s contribution to the Beatles hit ‘Michelle’: “I had been listening to Nina Simone – I think it was ‘I Put A Spell On You’. There was a line in it that went: ‘I love you, I love you.’ That’s what made me think of the middle eight for ‘Michelle’: ‘I love you, I love you, I l-o-ove you.'”

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Themes and symbolism in Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma

My love for Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma has veered into obsession. I have watched the film in full three times now and specific scenes many more times than that. I’m gobbling up articles and podcasts as fast as they’re being produced.

To capture the many ways Roma works its magic, I’ve decided to compile a list of the film’s thematic elements, recurring motifs, and symbolism, as well as some good old-fashioned trivia.

Please use the comment section to explore and challenge these items and to suggest your own.

Warning: This is a SPOILER zone. Don’t read on until you’ve seen the movie!

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Song of the Day #3,820: ‘Sinnerman’ – Nina Simone

‘Sinnerman’ is one of Nina Simone’s most famous songs. She turned the traditional Negro spiritual, which she had no doubt heard in her mother’s church as a little girl, into a sprawling 10-minute jazz piano epic.

Simone’s version has been sampled in modern rap songs and used in many TV shows and movies, including both the original 1968 Thomas Crown Affair and the 1999 remake. It’s easy to see why. The pulsating rhythm and raw emotional power of the track are irresistible.

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Song of the Day #3,819: ‘I Loves You Porgy’ – Nina Simone

The timing is good for my father’s Nina Simone theme week because it happens to coincide with my parents’ 53rd wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

For today’s SOTD, I chose Simone’s most famous love song, ‘I Loves You Porgy’ from the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess. She initially recorded the song for her 1958 debut album, Little Girl Blue, though today’s version is a live performance from 1960.

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