"I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free" is a jazz song written by Billy Taylor and Dick Dallas. Taylor's original version (as "I Wish I Knew") was recorded on November 12, 1963, and released on his Right Here, Right Now! album (Capitol ST-2039) the following year. His 1967 instrumental take was later used as the theme music for the Film... review programme series on BBC Television.
Taylor said: "I wrote this song, perhaps my best-known composition, for my daughter Kim. This is one of the best renditions I've done because it is very spiritual."
Video I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free
Cover versions
The song served as an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement in America in the 1960s. It was used as the theme for the 2004 Olympics, and as the music for Coca-Cola (2004, featuring Sharlene Hector of Basement Jaxx),and during the 2017 Super for a Ford commercial. and Swisscom (2012) commercials. A widely played version was recorded by Nina Simone in 1967 on her Silk & Soul album.
Lighthouse Family covered it as (I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be) Free / One.
Other artists who have covered the song include Illinois Jacquet (1968), John Denver (1969), Jools Holland (1997) and Emeli Sandé (2012).
Maps I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free
References
External links
- "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free". American Treasures of the Library of Congress. July 27, 2010.
Source of the article : Wikipedia