Feeling Good

Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse wrote this show tune for their 1964 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd, where Cy Grant delivered the first stage performance. The composition arrived just as the civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States, allowing Nina Simone to reinterpret the lyrics through a lens of liberation when she recorded it in 1965.

Her version on the album I Put a Spell on You transformed the theatrical number into a jazz anthem that set the benchmark for future interpretations. Muse later reimagined the track as an alternative rock epic on their 2006 release Black Holes and Revelations, while Michael Bublé brought a polished crooner style to the arrangement in 2007.

Avicii sampled the melody in electronic productions, proving the song's versatility across decades. The composition remains a staple for performers seeking to showcase vocal power and emotional depth without needing to reinvent the core structure. Recent coverage in late 2026 highlights its continued relevance with new artists like Crys Matthews adding to its diverse discography. [edit]