I Put a Spell on You (album)

I Put a Spell on You is a studio album by American jazz singer, songwriter, and pianist Nina Simone. Recorded in 1964 and 1965 in New York City, it was released by Philips Records in 1965. It peaked at number 99 on the Billboard 200 chart[3] and number 9 on the UK Albums Chart.[4] The title track, "I Put a Spell on You," peaked at number 23 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart[5] and number 28 on the UK Singles Chart.[4]

I Put a Spell on You
Studio album by Nina Simone
Released	June 1965
Recorded	1964 – 1965
Studio	New York City
Genre	Vocal jazz blues pop
Length	34:21
Label	Philips
Producer	Hal Mooney
Nina Simone chronology
Broadway-Blues-Ballads (1964) I Put a Spell on You (1965) Pastel Blues (1965)
Singles from I Put a Spell on You
"I Put a Spell on You" Released: 1965

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Pitchfork	9.1/10[2]

Critical reception

AllMusic reviewer Richie Unterberger gave the album 3 stars out of 5, calling it "One of her most pop-oriented albums, but also one of her best and most consistent."[1] He added, "There are really fine tunes and interpretations, on which Simone gives an edge to the potentially fey pop songs, taking a sudden (but not uncharacteristic) break for a straight jazz instrumental with 'Blues on Purpose.'"[1]

In 2017, NPR placed it at number 3 on the "150 Greatest Albums Made by Women" list.[6] Writing for NPR, Audie Cornish called it "the closest you'll ever hear her come to pop."[6]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"I Put a Spell on You"	Jalacy Hawkins	2:34
2.	"Tomorrow Is My Turn"	Charles Aznavour, Marcel Stellman, Yves Stéphane	2:48
3.	"Ne me quitte pas"	Jacques Brel	3:34
4.	"Marriage Is for Old Folks"	Leon Carr, Earl Shuman	3:29
5.	"July Tree"	Irma Jurist, Eve Merriam	2:41
6.	"Gimme Some"	Andy Stroud	2:57
7.	"Feeling Good"	Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley	2:53
8.	"One September Day"	Rudy Stevenson	2:48
9.	"Blues on Purpose"	Rudy Stevenson	3:16
10.	"Beautiful Land"	Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley	1:54
11.	"You've Got to Learn"	Charles Aznavour, Marcel Stellman	2:41
12.	"Take Care of Business"	Andy Stroud	2:03

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.

• Nina Simone – piano, vocals
• Rudy Stevenson – guitar
• Hal Mooney – arrangement, conducting
• Horace Ott – arrangement, conducting

Charts

Chart	Peak position
US Billboard 200[3][7]	99
UK Albums (OCC)[4]	18

References

1. Unterberger, Richie. "I Put a Spell on You - Nina Simone". AllMusic. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
2. Wallace, Carvell (July 30, 2016). "Nina Simone: I Put a Spell on You". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
3. "Nina Simone - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
4. "Nina Simone". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
5. "Nina Simone - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
6. "Turning The Tables: The 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women 10-1". NPR. July 24, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
7. "Nina Simone - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.

External links

• I Put a Spell on You at Discogs (list of releases)