: Before recording it for Pastel Blues , Simone often used "Sinnerman" to close her sets in Greenwich Village, intending to "shake people up" so they would leave the club "in pieces". Musical Composition
: The song is an African American traditional spiritual that dates back to the early 20th century.
: The recording features Simone on piano and vocals, Al Schackman and Rudy Stevenson on guitar, Lisle Atkinson on double bass, and Bobby Hamilton on drums. Nina Simone - Sinnerman
Crying to the Lord: Nina Simone's "Sinnerman" - VoegelinView
: The lyrics draw heavily from the Book of Exodus and Psalm 78 , depicting a sinner attempting to hide from God’s wrath on Judgment Day. The sinner seeks refuge in "the rock," "the river," and "the sea," only to find no place to hide. : Before recording it for Pastel Blues ,
: Some critics view the song as an exploration of identity and the "creative destruction" required for personal growth and transformation.
: While primarily a spiritual, the song is often interpreted as a commentary on the moral turmoil and racial inequality of the 1960s, reflecting Simone's deep involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Crying to the Lord: Nina Simone's "Sinnerman" -
: Clocking in at over 10 minutes, the song features dramatic shifts in intensity, including a famous middle section characterized by rhythmic hand-claps and pulsing piano.