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Nina Simone — I Put a Spell on You
Album: Anthology
Avg rating:
8.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2461









Released: 1965
Length: 2:32
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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I put a spell on you
Because you're mine.
I can't stand the things that you do.
No, no, no, I ain't lyin'. No.
I don't care if you don't want me
'Cause I'm yours, yours, yours anyhow.
Yeah, I'm yours, yours, yours.
I love you. I love you.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
I put a spell on you.
Lord! Lord! Lord!
....'Cause you're mine, yeah.
I can't stand the things that you do
When you're foolin' around.
I don't care if you don't want me.
'Cause I'm yours, yours, yours anyhow.
Yeah, yours, yours, yours!
I can't stand your foolin' around.
If I can't have you,
No one will!
I love you, you, you!
I love you. I love you. I love you!
I love you, you, you!
I don't care if you don't want me.
'Cause I'm yours, yours, yours anyhow.
Comments (176)add comment
"That's for anyone whose unhappy in love...
.
as i'm sure.. ...most of us are..."
.
Tim Curry (following playing 'I Put A Spell On You' - Nina Simone, on BBC Radio1's 'Star Special' circa 1978-ish).
It stuck in my head, and i've never forgotten it...
Posted 1 year ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
Straight in at Godlike.
Posted 1 year ago by radioparadise38    [ Reply ]
 joejennings wrote:



So did CCR on their 1st album.   This version is GREAT!!


CCR's version was great as well though this has more soul.  that was more psychedelic..
Posted 1 year ago by carmelmik    [ Reply ]
 ecojot wrote:

Audience, a great early 70s British prog rock band did an excellent version of this.




So did CCR on their 1st album.   This version is GREAT!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Audience, a great early 70s British prog rock band did an excellent version of this.
Posted 2 years ago by ecojot    [ Reply ]
 acferrad wrote:


... that refers to to previous track... sigh


lol right now it was the same order. Was double checking if the page had updated correctly or if I had some kind of mushroom when I saw your comment
Posted 2 years ago by huib    [ Reply ]
Iconic for all the right reasons!
Led Zeppelin paid it forward!
Posted 2 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
 greenbuilding wrote:

When the Airplane was touring with the Doors in Europe. Jim and Grace supposedly had their time. So says, Stephen Davis in his biography on Jim.



... that refers to to previous track... sigh
Posted 2 years ago by acferrad    [ Reply ]
When the Airplane was touring with the Doors in Europe. Jim and Grace supposedly had their time. So says, Stephen Davis in his biography on Jim.
Posted 2 years ago by greenbuilding    [ Reply ]
  
She certainly put a spell on me...
  
Posted 2 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
every time I hear Nina, I just wonder if she was really happy singing that particular song, she was just so tired of the industrial music machine. I love her live stuff, at least she was in charge out on the stage and you can clearly hear her being herself and being authentic.
Posted 2 years ago by jkforde    [ Reply ]
These lyrics are miles out.
Posted 3 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Wild Women of Wongo

Uh-oh: a full version


Adrienne Barbeau? Wow.
c.
Posted 3 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Man that is lovely horn
Posted 3 years ago by PeterMcClelland    [ Reply ]
 vit wrote:

Screamin' Jay Hawkins was pop? Maybe, thinkin' about it, he was. Still, it's funny to read about the song's roots (from wikipedia):

"Hawkins originally envisioned the tune as a refined ballad."<5> The entire band was intoxicated during a recording session where "Hawkins screamed, grunted, and gurgled his way through the tune with utter drunken abandon."<5> The resulting performance was no ballad but instead a "raw, guttural track" that became his greatest commercial success and reportedly surpassed a million copies in sales,<6><7> although it failed to make the Billboard pop or R&B charts


 
I feel a little weird watching a Black man performing with a bone through his nose and a skull scepter, but oh, man, a performance for the ages. He was still doing that act in 1990, [Spoiler Alert!] rising up from a coffin at the beginning of the show.
Posted 3 years ago by birdman42    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

The teenager in me prefers CCR's version but Screamin' Jay pretty much owns this song by losing his sh**. 

Another Hawkins classic: Alligator Wine. Would love to know the name of the B-movie in the video of this YouTube clip: 
https://youtu.be/Jv3l36jMfag


 That movie is Wild Women of Wongo

Uh-oh:a full version
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Transports me to a better place every time I hear it. 11 from me.
Posted 5 years ago by cob427uk1    [ Reply ]
The best .................. just, the best!
Posted 5 years ago by Gaz    [ Reply ]
 Cyclehawk wrote:
Nina's is quite good, but no will ever top Screamin' Jay Hawkins' version.  Ever.

 




The teenager in me prefers CCR's version but Screamin' Jay pretty much owns this song by losing his sh**. 

Another Hawkins classic: Alligator Wine. Would love to know the name of the B-movie in the video of this YouTube clip: 



https://youtu.be/Jv3l36jMfag

Posted 6 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
It simply doesn't get better.
Posted 6 years ago by Shmelo    [ Reply ]
Superbe rendition of a priceless original.
Posted 7 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
...
because you're mine...
Posted 7 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
 Cyclehawk wrote:
Nina's is quite good, but no will ever top Screamin' Jay Hawkins' version.  Ever.

 
Agreed.
Posted 7 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
Nina's is quite good, but no will ever top Screamin' Jay Hawkins' version.  Ever.
Posted 7 years ago by Cyclehawk    [ Reply ]
 fitmartin wrote:
Great music, many thanks to you Bill and Becky! the next song was also a 9! Bravo!{#Hearteyes}

 
I put 9 (instead of 10) just to fool myself that I am in control ( of myself).

 
Posted 7 years ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
part of my dippy mind drifts back to Jarmusch's:

Strangerthanparadise.jpg
"The original song "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins features prominently in the soundtrack."

 
Love this movie. Thanks to Bill for introducing me to Nina. 
Posted 8 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
voice of an Angel

 
a fallen Angel, maybe a Devil, but a great one!
Posted 8 years ago by MiguelEI    [ Reply ]
Great music, many thanks to you Bill and Becky! the next song was also a 9! Bravo!{#Hearteyes}
Posted 8 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
part of my dippy mind drifts back to Jarmusch's:

Strangerthanparadise.jpg
"The original song "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins features prominently in the soundtrack."
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Canvas yields a Lucky spell.
Posted 9 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
Nina's style is as distinctive as the guy who wrote this song, Screamin' Jay.
Posted 9 years ago by JsDad    [ Reply ]
3 -> 8
What was wrong with me? 
Posted 9 years ago by Kaw    [ Reply ]
more Nina please!!
Posted 9 years ago by thais    [ Reply ]
voice of an Angel
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
{#Fire} killer track, the sax and nina jamming how much better could music ever get?
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
You ain't got a spell on me, Nina.
Posted 10 years ago by richlister    [ Reply ]
 BobLoblaw wrote:
Such a great voice. 8 ->9.

 
......... agree 9 >>>>>>>>>>>> G O D L I K E
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 aaronm wrote:
So, so good.

Here's a weird question... does her voice sound like that of Cee Lo Green to anyone else? 

 
Now that you've mentioned it...
Posted 10 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 hahaha! Sax wasn't the word I saw on first glance at this post lol!

oldfart48 wrote:
{#Bananapiano}{#Fire} some fine sax.....

 


Posted 10 years ago by jocelynsart    [ Reply ]
Such a great voice. 8 ->9.
Posted 11 years ago by BobLoblaw    [ Reply ]
So, so good.

Here's a weird question... does her voice sound like that of Cee Lo Green to anyone else? 
Posted 11 years ago by aaronm    [ Reply ]
What a magnificent and soulful voice! {#Notworthy}
Posted 11 years ago by JBarDom    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}{#Fire} some fine sax.....
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
ahhhhh, nina{#Fire}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
sung to my satisfaction.
Posted 11 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
 OH  YES meloman wrote:
The interplay between her voice and the sax is worth the price of admission. Fantastic!
 


Posted 12 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Sitting outside on a warm summer evening with a cold beer and good old Nina on the radio..
Posted 12 years ago by ereme    [ Reply ]
Always good... Mature Woman Voice...and jazz back-up... What more do we need-?
Posted 12 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]

David Gilmour & Mica Paris - "I Put a Spell On You" Live (1980's)
"Dave Gilmour plays the blues, so well"

"I Put a Spell on You" is a 1956 song written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, whose recording was selected as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. It was also ranked #313 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song has been recorded by numerous other artists, Nina Simone, Alan Price, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bryan Ferry's,etc.

 

 


Posted 12 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
wow...
Posted 12 years ago by Ears_of_Stone    [ Reply ]
10. 'nuff said.
Posted 12 years ago by musicology    [ Reply ]
Bill, you can play Simone all day long as far as I'm concerned.
Posted 13 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
Nina is the best {#Whistle}
Posted 13 years ago by flapser    [ Reply ]
How interesting might my life be if Nina Simone sang the soundtrack?
Posted 13 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
Most of the great voices are instantly recognizable: Ella, Janis, Lena, Etta, Billie, and a host of others. Nina's gives me goose bumps.
Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
from an old friend I used to race against way back when:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/GeKkq1yUZ-A

Posted 13 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
 Giselle62 wrote:
this is sexy—-i love low-voiced women so much better than the masses of baby-voiced women singers out there.
 
Those low-pitched, husky, breathy, female voices: A friend described them sounding like a saxophone.  "The notes come out and you can hear them, but there's all this other sound in there." 
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Ms. Simone put a spell on me the first time I heard her sing.
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
I love Nina!
Posted 13 years ago by Stranglersfan    [ Reply ]
picture of a tortured soul.
Posted 13 years ago by jam5ie76    [ Reply ]
Why, shertainly Mishter Bond. {#Whipit}
Posted 13 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
 Panama_Floyd wrote:
Wow! I wish this kind of thing would happen *every* time a real artist decides to cover a "pop tune".
 
Screamin' Jay Hawkins was pop? Maybe, thinkin' about it, he was. Still, it's funny to read about the song's roots (from wikipedia):

"Hawkins originally envisioned the tune as a refined ballad."<5> The entire band was intoxicated during a recording session where "Hawkins screamed, grunted, and gurgled his way through the tune with utter drunken abandon."<5> The resulting performance was no ballad but instead a "raw, guttural track" that became his greatest commercial success and reportedly surpassed a million copies in sales,<6><7> although it failed to make the Billboard pop or R&B charts


Posted 13 years ago by vit    [ Reply ]
Classic. {#Music}
Natacha Atlas does a kick-ass Middle Eastern take on this song.
Posted 13 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
Good Music... I haven't heard her in a long time. I'd forgotten how good she is.  Thanks...
Posted 14 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]
This song put a spell on me, and I ain't lyin'...{#Cowboy}{#Tongue}{#Yes}
Posted 14 years ago by nicolewe    [ Reply ]
Ladies and Gents ... Ms. Nina Simone!! Emotion, passion, technique, cultural bagage ... and many other adjetives I am not able to articulate because her rendering of this tune leaves me just speechless! {#Cheers}
Posted 14 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
Wow! I wish this kind of thing would happen *every* time a real artist decides to cover a "pop tune".
Posted 14 years ago by Panama_Floyd    [ Reply ]
Great tune!
Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Holy cow, I love this song!
Posted 14 years ago by twitterpated    [ Reply ]
this is sexy—-i love low-voiced women so much better than the masses of baby-voiced women singers out there.
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Bill, how about the version by Jeff Beck and Joss Stone from his latest CD?
There are some other cool tunes on it as well.  Interesting CD from El Becko.

Posted 14 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
Was singing this to myself just the other day. This version is so much better.
Posted 14 years ago by iam_overlord    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
Just love this version of I Put a Smell on You....
 


And not to be forgotten:



Posted 14 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
You know Dave, in the end, we're all just individuals, singular souls belonging to nothing but the universe....all given gifts to be cherished.
You are heartless, a simple thanks so troublesome
Posted 14 years ago by livemuzc    [ Reply ]
Nina put a spell on me and I'm hers.
Posted 14 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Just love this version of I Put a Smell on You....
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Very nice interpretation.

But, for absolutely raw, screaming, painful, insane, and pure longing I have to give it to (me - dons flame retardant suit) Marilyn Manson.  It starts out slow and rough, get's very heavy/psychedelic, and proceeds to go straight off the deep end.  Look for it on the Lost Highway soundtrack.

Posted 15 years ago by smdeeg    [ Reply ]
This is one of the 10s of all time. That is all.
Posted 15 years ago by lawman    [ Reply ]
{#Mrgreen}
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
This is my favourite Nina Simone tune (and she is my favourite jazz-singer)
She does it so well, adds a whole new dimension and feeling to the song
Truly a masterpiece, even though it's a cover!
{#Clap}
Posted 15 years ago by Matzone    [ Reply ]

 

Nina Simone - I Put a Spell on You    ==>    Bonnie Raitt - When the Spell Is Broken

remembering Ms. Nina Simone, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon

** 10 **



Posted 16 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
As with many Simone songs (covers), she does something different with it. And something excellent. Her rendition of 'Strange Fruit'... same story, it becomes even darker than it already was. This one here: brooding and sensual. Wow.
Posted 16 years ago by stevendejong    [ Reply ]
 BillnDollarBaby wrote:
Wow. Great version. Totally thought she was a he. I thought the same about Amy Winehouse when I first heard her, also. Isn't it interesting the preconceived notions we have about range and gender?
 
I really thought this singer was male too...{#Foot-in-mouth}


Posted 16 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
Yup, here it is. SJ's video from wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy before MTV or PC. Not great quality. But........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kGPhpvqtOc
Posted 16 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
Fabulous! Oh and don't forget CCR's version, too. Screaming Jay's video for this one is a gas. Will have to look on You Tube for it. Haven't seen it in years.
Posted 16 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
miahfost wrote:
No no no! Only Screaming Jay Hawkins can do this.




NO, just a different INTERPRETATION.

Nina's version is romantic, intense, steamy, powerful... Screaming Jay's is just incredibly creepy and scary... but both are great in their own way.

That's what's great about a well done cover— when the interpretation changes, it gives the song a new meaning.

Posted 16 years ago by andrewimft    [ Reply ]
TOTALLY GODLIKE!
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Why oh why do we have to always have this argument about covers? Can't we just accept a song for what it is? This one is pure beauty!
Posted 16 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
SomeOldGuy wrote:
Gimme Screamin' Jay...
No doubt. Someone should upload that. The original and _best_.
Posted 16 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
SomeOldGuy wrote:
Gimme Screamin' Jay...
...me too.
Posted 17 years ago by crinky    [ Reply ]
This sounds so fantastic, you can play as much as you want Bill!!!!
Posted 17 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
she put a spell on me...
Posted 17 years ago by aaehr    [ Reply ]
miahfost wrote:
No no no! Only screaming Jay Hawkins can do this.
I will have to hear that one, but I find it hard to believe that anyone can top this version.
Posted 17 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard the original by Screamin', but this has to be the best version of this song I've heard. Nina is simply amazing!
Posted 17 years ago by AlexDinamo    [ Reply ]
No no no! Only Screaming Jay Hawkins can do this.
Posted 17 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
Gimme Screamin' Jay...
Posted 17 years ago by SomeOldGuy    [ Reply ]
Best version of this is by Audience. 1974 or so.
Posted 17 years ago by glassman    [ Reply ]
Wow. This is an outstanding song, but when SHE sings it... it's out of this world...
Posted 17 years ago by AlexDinamo    [ Reply ]
I think her voice goddess-like; it cuts straight to heart of the songs she chooses to sing.
Posted 17 years ago by JennyAnyDots    [ Reply ]
rococodeco wrote:
does anyone else think that she sounds very very much like a man?... She's just not working for me.
Never has for me, either. And yes, I think she sounds like a man, but then I thought Imogen Heap was a man too, so what do I know?
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
rococodeco wrote:
does anyone else think that she sounds very very much like a man? I can't imagine her singing "at last." She's just not working for me.
Not me, but I must say neither one of my kids would believe her gender until I showed them the CD. I absolutely love her voice no matter what she sings: jazz, blues, folk, Kurt Weil, whatever.
Posted 17 years ago by ktnsb    [ Reply ]
meloman wrote:
The interplay between her voice and the sax is worth the price of admission. Fantastic!
So cOol
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Not really into this, I like the CCR version myself...
Posted 17 years ago by Daniel_Pittenger    [ Reply ]
Sing it gurl...
Posted 17 years ago by popularmechanics    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by sutcliff    [ Reply ]
great song from a great artist :bow:
Posted 18 years ago by gumby    [ Reply ]
rklein wrote:
Perfect segue from Claude Chalhoub - Don't wake me up! BTW: Both track are just wonderful.
Ditto! A seamless and most musical transition. BRAVO!
Posted 18 years ago by brighthue    [ Reply ]
Perfect segue from Claude Chalhoub - Don't wake me up! I didn't notice the transition at all. Suddenly there was singing and I figured that must be a new track. BTW: Both track are just wonderful.
Posted 18 years ago by rklein    [ Reply ]
jamm wrote:
Great version...I also like Credence Clearwater's version...what an awesome song!
Posted 18 years ago by ruthless    [ Reply ]
Great segue from the Claude Chalhoub to Nina!
Posted 18 years ago by queenjill    [ Reply ]
When Nina sings I can feel it deep inside.. Nina Sings the Blues is hands down my favorite.
Posted 18 years ago by bobbic    [ Reply ]
GregX59 wrote:
I normally love Nina Simone, but this one has such smooth orchestration that just doesn't mesh with her voice. It is a nice interplay with the sax, but the rest just doesn't work for me.
That's a shame. You must be missing out on loads of Ella and Lady Day tracks too !!
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
rococodeco wrote:
does anyone else think that she sounds very very much like a man? I can't imagine her singing "at last." She's just not working for me.
Sometimes I think Ben Harper sounds like Nina.
Posted 18 years ago by queenjill    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
rococodeco wrote:
She's just not working for me.
you got THAT right.
Posted 18 years ago by ahoylola    [ Reply ]
does anyone else think that she sounds very very much like a man? I can't imagine her singing "at last." She's just not working for me.
Posted 18 years ago by rococodeco    [ Reply ]
my buddy tells a story where he went to see her live, and early on she walks off stage, not feeling the audience. i wasn't there, but i feel she would know what she's talking about...
Posted 18 years ago by pobaldy    [ Reply ]
I could listen to her all day!
Posted 18 years ago by lovebuzz    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]