“Mississippi Goddam,” released in 1964, is one of Nina Simone’s most powerful and politically charged songs. Written in response to the 1963 murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers in Mississippi and the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four young girls, the song is a raw and emotional outcry against racial injustice in the United States. It became an anthem for the civil rights movement and remains a defining moment in Simone’s career as an activist and musician.

About The Song

• Lyrics Interpretation: The lyrics of “Mississippi Goddam” express Nina Simone’s frustration and anger at the racial violence and systemic oppression faced by African Americans in the South during the 1960s. With lines like “Alabama’s got me so upset, Tennessee made me lose my rest, and everybody knows about Mississippi goddam,” Simone directly addresses the injustices happening in these states. The song’s upbeat tempo contrasts with the searing anger in the lyrics, creating a sense of urgency and defiance.
• Cultural Impact: “Mississippi Goddam” became a rallying cry for the civil rights movement, symbolizing the growing frustration with the slow pace of progress in achieving racial equality. Simone performed the song at civil rights events, including at marches and protests, where it resonated with activists and those who had experienced the brutalities of racism. The song was banned in several Southern states, but it became a key anthem in the fight for civil rights and a reflection of Simone’s commitment to social justice.
• Songwriting Inspiration: Nina Simone was deeply affected by the racially motivated violence and discrimination occurring in the U.S. during the 1960s. The assassination of Medgar Evers and the bombing of the Birmingham church were pivotal moments that inspired her to write “Mississippi Goddam” in a single night. It marked a turning point in her career, where she began to use her music as a tool for activism, fearlessly addressing the issues of racism and inequality in America.
• Live Performances: Simone’s live performances of “Mississippi Goddam” were raw, emotional, and often provocative. She used the song to engage with her audiences, urging them to confront the realities of racial violence and injustice. At the end of the song, Simone often delivered the line “You don’t have to live next to me, just give me my equality” with a force that underscored the urgency of her message. Her performances were known for their intensity and their ability to galvanize listeners.
• Song Legacy: “Mississippi Goddam” remains one of Nina Simone’s most important songs and a landmark in protest music. Its fearless message and emotional depth have inspired generations of artists and activists to use music as a means of fighting for justice. The song continues to be relevant today, as issues of racial inequality and violence remain pressing. It is frequently cited as one of the most important protest songs of the 20th century and a testament to Simone’s bravery as both an artist and an activist.

“Mississippi Goddam” stands as a powerful example of how music can be used as a vehicle for social change. Nina Simone’s bold and uncompromising message, combined with her emotional delivery, ensures that the song continues to resonate with those who fight for justice and equality today.

Video

Lyric

The name of this tune is Mississippi Goddam
And I mean every word of it
Alabama’s gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi, goddamn
Alabama’s gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi, goddamn
Can’t you see it? Can’t you feel it?
It’s all in the air
I can’t stand the pressure much longer
Somebody say a prayer
Alabama’s gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi, goddamn
This is a show tune, but the show hasn’t been written for it, yet
Hound dogs on my trail
School children sitting in jail
Black cat cross my path
I think every day’s gonna be my last
Lord, have mercy on this land of mine
We all gonna get it in due time
I don’t belong here, I don’t belong there
I’ve even stopped believing in prayer
Don’t tell me, I’ll tell you
Me and my people just about due
I’ve been there, so, I know
They keep on saying, “Go slow”
But that’s just the trouble (do it slow)
Washing the windows (too slow)
Picking the cotton (too slow)
You’re just plain rotten (too slow)
You’re too damn lazy (too slow)
The thinking is crazy (too slow)
Where am I going? What am I doing?
I don’t know, I don’t know
Just try to do your very best
Stand up, be counted with all the rest
‘Cause everybody knows about Mississippi, goddamn
I bet you thought I was kidding, didn’t you?
Picket lines, school boycotts
They try to say it’s a communist plot
All I want is equality
For my sister, my brother, my people, and me
Yes, you lied to me all these years
You told me to wash and clean my ears
And talk real fine just like a lady
And you’d stop calling me Sister Sadie
Oh, but this whole country is full of lies
You’re all gonna die and die like flies
I don’t trust you anymore
You keep on saying, “Go slow”
Go slow
But that’s just the trouble (too slow)
Desegregation (too slow)
Mass participation (too slow)
Reunification (too slow)
Do things gradually (too slow)
But bring more tragedy (too slow)
Why don’t you see it? Why don’t you feel it?
I don’t know, I don’t know
You don’t have to live next to me
Just give me my equality
Everybody knows about Mississippi
Everybody knows about Alabama
Everybody knows about Mississippi, goddamn
That’s it!