# Nina Simone and Langston Hughes' Creative Bond

> Langston Hughes inspired Nina Simone's 1965 hit 'I Put a Spell on You' through their deep creative collaboration.
- Title: Nina Simone and Langston Hughes' Creative Bond | Shortify
- Summary: Langston Hughes inspired Nina Simone's 1965 hit 'I Put a Spell on You' through their deep creative collaboration. Langston Hughes mentored Nina Simone…
- Keywords: nina simone, langston hughes, 1965, i put a spell on you, soul music, creative collaboration, hoodoo, black power, jazz, poetry, songwriting, carnegie hall
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/nina-simone-langston-hughes-and-their-forgotten-creative-collaboration-290878
- Author: Jason Miller
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nina simone, langston hughes, 1965, i put a spell on you, soul music, creative collaboration, hoodoo, black power, jazz, poetry, songwriting, carnegie hall
## Nina Simone's early inspiration
Nina Simone performed at her high school in Asheville, North Carolina in 1949.

> Little girl dreaming of a baby grand piano
## Langston Hughes' early support
Langston Hughes encouraged Nina Simone to record 'I Put a Spell on You' in 1965.

> The seeds of this relationship were planted in 1949
## Hughes' professional friendship
Hughes and Simone became close friends after Simone moved to New York City in 1959.

> Hughes was impressed with simone's piano skills
## Hughes' Newport Jazz Festival role
Hughes secured Simone a spot at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival where she performed.

> Hughes wrote the final song of the festival
## Hughes' Chicago Defender article
Hughes published a Chicago Defender article highlighting Simone's talent in 1960.

> Spotlight on Nina Simone
## Hughes' songwriting influence
Hughes provided Simone with over a dozen original lyrics for her recordings.

> Hughes suggested simone sing the lyrics of an obscure song
## See-Line Woman performance
Simone performed 'See-Line Woman' at Carnegie Hall on March 21, 1964.

> See-line woman black dress on for a thousand dollars
## Incantations for Nina Simone
Hughes proposed 'Incantations for Nina Simone' in late 1964 or early 1965.

> You cast a spell on me i'll work my black and white magic
## I Put a Spell on You release
Simone released 'I Put a Spell on You' as her album title track in June 1965.

> I put a spell on you
## Backlash Blues performance
Simone performed 'Backlash Blues' at Lincoln Center in 1966.

> When langston hughes died he told me many months before
## Key takeaway

Langston Hughes mentored Nina Simone, helping her craft her iconic 1965 song 'I Put a Spell on You' that defined her identity.