From British Stage Shadows to Global Spotlight, Feeling Good Finds Its Wings

In 1962, a song meant for a minor character in a British musical quietly took shape—destined for far more than its humble beginnings. Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, then just emerging talents, crafted “Feeling Good” as part of their comic allegory on class, “The Roar of the Greasepaint — The Smell of the Crowd.” The play itself was no blockbuster, but the song’s stripped-down lyrics and bold brass arrangement proved irresistible to artists with powerful voices. Nina Simone’s 1965 rendition transformed “Feeling Good” into a declaration of confidence and liberation, echoing with the same force as a Maya Angelou verse. The song’s adaptability has since drawn performers from jazz legends to pop icons, each finding new meaning in its simple, soaring lines. Decades later, “Feeling Good” continues to reinvent itself, its spirit undimmed—a reminder that even the quietest beginnings can spark a cultural anthem. A tune born in the margins now flies high, just like the birds it celebrates. #MusicHistory #NinaSimone #BritishTheatre #Culture