Nina Simone

I Put a Spell on You

First released1965

I Put a Spell on You by Nina Simone was recorded in 1965 at Philips Studios in New York, featuring her iconic rendition of the title track originally written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. The album was produced by Jack Gold and engineered in sessions that captured Simone's powerful vocal performance accompanied by her own piano playing and a small ensemble. Simone's interpretation transformed the original song into a dramatic, orchestral arrangement that became one of her signature pieces, showcasing her ability to reimagine material with emotional intensity and musical sophistication. The recording reflected the height of her artistic powers during the mid-1960s, a period marked by her growing social activism and artistic confidence.