Nina Simone - To Be Young, Gifted & Black Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who wrote the lyrics for 'To Be Young, Gifted & Black'?

   The lyrics for 'To Be Young, Gifted & Black' were written by Nina Simone and Weldon Irvine.

2. When and where did Nina Simone first introduce 'To Be Young, Gifted & Black'?

   Nina Simone first introduced 'To Be Young, Gifted & Black' on August 17, 1969, at the Harlem Cultural Festival in front of a crowd of 50,000 people.

3. What is the connection between the song and Lorraine Hansberry?

   'To Be Young, Gifted & Black' was written in memory of Simone's late friend Lorraine Hansberry, author of 'A Raisin in the Sun'. The title comes from Hansberry's autobiographical play 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black'.

4. How successful was 'To Be Young, Gifted & Black' as a single?

   Released as a single, 'To Be Young, Gifted & Black' peaked at number 8 on the R&B chart and number 76 on the Hot 100 in January 1970.

5. Did anyone else record a notable version of the song?

   Jamaican duo Bob and Marcia recorded a cover version of 'To Be Young, Gifted & Black' which reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970.

6. Was the song part of a larger project by Nina Simone?

   Yes, Nina Simone recorded the song as part of her concert at Philharmonic Hall, which resulted in the live album 'Black Gold' released in 1970.