Four Women
Nina Simone
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My skin is black My arms are long My hair is woolly My back is strong Strong enough to take the pain inflicted again and again What do they call me My name is AUNT SARAH My name is Aunt Sarah My skin is yellow My hair is long Between two worlds I do belong My father was rich and white He forced my mother late one night What do they call me My name is SAFFRONIA My name is Saffronia My skin is tan My hair is fine My hips invite you my mouth like wine Whose little girl am I? Anyone who has money to buy What do they call me My name is SWEET THING My name is Sweet Thing My skin is brown my manner is tough I'll kill the first mother I see my life has been too rough I'm awfully bitter these days because my parents were slaves What do they call me My name is PEACHES
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Written by: NINA SIMONE
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Genre"Four Women" is categorized under Simone's prominent genres, Soul and Jazz. It also has elements of gospel and blues in it, enabling her to express and connect personally with the socio-political issues of her time.
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Release DateThis distinctively powerful song was released in 1966. It quickly gained recognition for its fearless commentary on racial stereotypes and sexism.
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InspirationThe song was inspired by four dark-skinned women, each representing different African American stereotypes in society. It was a bold and direct attack on the portrayal of the black woman's identity in America.
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Album"Four Women" is a song from Nina Simone's album "Wild is the Wind".Apart from this song, the album has Simone's version of other popular songs including "I Love Your Lovin' Ways" and "Either Way I Lose".
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ControversyThe song was so brutally honest about race and gender issues that it was banned by several radio stations upon its release. Its explicit racial content stirred up controversy, making it more known and eventually becoming one of Nina Simone's signature songs.
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Impact"Four Women" uses music to challenge and address social injustices. It played a significant role in the civil rights movement, cementing Simone's status as the "voice of the Civil Rights Movement".
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CharacterizationIn the song, Simone sings about four women named Aunt Sarah, Saffronia, Sweet Thing, and Peaches. Each woman represents different aspects of the black female experience in America.
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Awards and RecognitionThough it did not receive any significant awards at the time, "Four Women" has been recognized by later generations for its powerful depiction of the intersectionality of race and gender. It is now considered a classic, with several covers by various artists over the years.
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In Pop CultureThe song was used as the basis for the play "Four Women", written by Christina Ham. "Four Women" has also been sampled by rapper Jay Z in his album "4:44".
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LegacyThe song’s boldness and confrontation of racial and gender issues made an indelible impact on the music industry. It set the precedent for several soul and rap songs that seek to probe into social inequalities and injustices.
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Citation
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"Four Women Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 17 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/8608347/Nina+Simone/Four+Women>.
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