April 06, 2004
Written by Dr. Billy Taylor in 1954, I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free had become something of a civil rights anthem by the early 60s. Dr. Nina Simone recorded it first in 1967. (John Denver released his version in, I believe, 1969.)
I went to the movies tonight -- alone -- and I heard this song, because it's become the centerpiece of a Coke commercial. Evidently this commercial debuted on TV during American Idol in early March. (Between faux-TiVo and infrequent movie attendance, I lead a pretty commercial-free life.)
The version in the commercial is lovely. It's sung by Sharlene Hector from Basement Jaxx, and the single is being released in the UK this week. In the commercial, she walks the streets singing, handing open Cokes to thirsty, multiracial-ish people.
Now, really. How fucking disgusting that such a tiny obscure bit of actually meaningful, beautiful history is used up and crapped out like this? Am I crazy? It seems like this is really as foul and cynical as a corporation can get.
Halfway through the movie, I decided that I'd never drink a Coca-Cola product again. (And I've recently become more and more a consumer, too. I'm now one of those Diet Coke people -- yes, I'm trying to get as leathery as possible while I'm still youngish.) By the time I was walking dazedly home, I was all ready for a lifelong personal Coke boycott.
Back at home, I investigated the (slightly outdated) board of directors chart above on They Rule (click it for the legible version). It seems that I'd never be able to eat, bank, buy stock, get home furnishings, smoke, eat macaroni and cheese, buy gas, take pills, use the phone, write on paper, use a cellphone or a credit card, or bomb another country again if I wanted to really stick to my convictions.
I'm just not sure I'm ready for that kind of commitment. And I think that fucking sucks.
[Download I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free, ©Nina Simone, 3MB, included on Nina Simone Anthology.]
