Nina Simone’s 1968 hit single was not about gambling. It is a medley of two songs from the musical Hair. It asks us to think about what is most important in life.
Lyrics
Ain't got no home, ain't got no shoes
Ain't got no money, ain't got no class
Ain't got no skirts, ain't got no sweaters
Ain't got no perfume, ain't got no love
Ain't got no faith Ain't got no culture
Ain't got no mother, ain't got no father
Ain't got no brother, ain't got no children
Ain't got no aunts, ain't got no uncles
Ain't got no love, ain't got no ma
Ain't got no country, ain't got no schooling
Ain't got no friends, ain't got no nothing
Ain't got no water, ain't got no air
Ain't got no smokes, ain't got no chicken
Ain't got
Ain't got no water Ain't got no love
Ain't got no faith Ain't got no God
Ain't got no wine Ain't got no money
Ain't got no faith Ain't got no God
Ain't got no love
Then what have I got
Why am I alive anyway?
Yeah, hell What have I got
Nobody can take away
I got my hair, got my head
Got my brains, got my ears
Got my eyes, got my nose
Got my mouth I got my I got myself
I got my arms, got my hands
Got my fingers, got my legs
Got my feet, got my toes
Got my liver Got my blood
I've got life I've got life
I've got headaches, and toothaches
And bad times too like you
I got my hair, got my head
Got my brains, got my ears
Got my eyes, got my nose
Got my mouth I got my smile
I got my tongue, got my chin
Got my neck, got my boobs
Got my heart, got my soul
Got my back I got my sex
I got my arms, got my hands
Got my fingers, got my legs
Got my feet, got my toes
Got my liver Got my blood
I've got life I've got my freedom
Ohhh
I've got life!
To think about – or discuss with a friend
- Nina Simone sings about having no shoes, money or home, but says she’s got life. Can you really live without all the things she mentions?
- How important is money? Do you think you can live without money?
- Simone mentions other things like faith, culture, family. Do you think these things are more important or less important than money? Why?
- Is there anything no one can take away from you? If so, what?
- What are the things you value most? How do you know?