: 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. Nina Simone - Sinnerman
Crying to the Lord: Nina Simone's "Sinnerman" - VoegelinView : 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. : The recording features Simone on piano and
: 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.
: 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.
: A notable highlight is the vocal breakdown where Simone and her band chant "power" in a raw, emotional call-and-response. Meaning and Themes