Feeling Good

The song was originally created for the 1964 UK musical "The Roar of Greasepaint / The Smell of the Crowd". Gilbert Price sang the song on the Broadway cast recording.

In the show, Price's character ("the Negro") is asked to compete against the show's hero "Cocky"; but, as "Cocky" and his master "Sir" argue over the rules of the game, "the Negro" reaches the centre of the stage and "wins", singing the song at his moment of triumph. It was described as a "booming song of emancipation", and a Billboard review said it was "the kind of robust number that should have strong appeal". The original cast recording of the show, featuring Price's version of the song, was released by RCA Victor in early 1965, before the show reached New York.

Nina Simone recorded it on her 1965 "I Put a Spell on You" album.

Lauryn Hill performed the song at the 2018 ceremony in which Simone was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

John Legend performed the song at the Lincoln Memorial as part of the Celebrating America performance marking the inauguration of Joe Biden & Kamala Harris on January 20, 2021.

Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life 
For me & I'm feeling good

(Simone chords—up 3):
Em Em7 C B7 /  / Em Em7 A Am / G A G B7 / A B7 Em (Em7 A B7) 

Fish in the sea, you know how I feel
River running free
you know how I feel
Blossom on a tree
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life 
For me & I'm feeling good

(bridge - similar chords as verse & chorus)
Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun, you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done, that's what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world for me

Stars when you shine, you know how I feel
Scent of the pine, you know how I feel
Oh, freedom is mine & I know how I feel
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life 
For me & I'm feeling good

(Newley's chords—up 8):
Em A Em A / Em A G B7 / Em C Em A / G A G 0 / A - Em (A Em A / Em A Em A)
—words by Leslie Bricusse & music by Anthony Newley. All rights reserved.