Young, Gifted and Black by Theresa Perry

Elton John recorded a version of 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black' in 1970, before his solo success.

Jamaican rocksteady/ reggae trio the Heptones recorded a version for Coxsone Dodd's Studio One label in 1970.

Bob and Marcia (whose 1970 recording reached number 5 in the UK Singles Chart and number 15 in Ireland).

Aretha Franklin (on her 1972 album Young, Gifted and Black).

Donny Hathaway (on his 1970 album Everything Is Everything),.

Notable cover versions of the song were recorded by:

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Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black' – news Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. This section needs additional citations for verification. 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black' was written in memory of Simone's late friend Lorraine Hansberry, author of the play A Raisin in the Sun, who had died in 1965 aged 34. The song is considered an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. The title of the song comes from Lorraine Hansberry's autobiographical play, To Be Young, Gifted and Black. A cover version by Jamaican duo Bob and Marcia reached number 5 in the UK Singles Chart in 1970. Released as a single, it peaked at number 8 on the R&B chart and number 76 on the Hot 100 in January 1970. Two months later, she recorded the song as part of her concert at Philharmonic Hall, a performance that resulted in her live album Black Gold (1970). She introduced the song on August 17, 1969, to a crowd of 50,000 at the Harlem Cultural Festival, captured on broadcast video tape and released in 2021 as the documentary film Summer of Soul.

' To Be Young, Gifted and Black' is a song by Nina Simone with lyrics by Weldon Irvine. 'Nina Simone - To Be Young, Gifted and Black (Audio)' on YouTube

1970 song by Nina Simone 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black'

Young, Gifted and Black by Theresa Perry