I'm Gonna Leave You
Nina Simone · High Priestess Of Soul [2006]
I'm gonna leave you 'cos I wanna
And I'll go where people love me
And I'll stay there 'cos they love me
No more headaches, no more heartbreaks
I'm gonna leave you where I met you
I'm gonna leave you with your money
I want somebody to call me honey
I don't want gold rings
I wanna hear sweet things
I need affection and not protection
When you're teasing, you should be squeezing
I'm gonna leave you where I met you
Yes I'm pulled up with your person
And I'm pulled up with your person
And I waited getting frustrated
I'm old fashioned, I want my passion
So I'm leaving though I'm grieving
I'm gonna leave you where I met you
I'm gonna leave you
When you're teasing, you should be squeezing
I'm gonna leave you
I'm gonna leave you 'cos I'm gonna
Yes I'm gonna leave you 'cos I wanna
And I'll go where people love me
And I'll stay there 'cos they love me
No more headaches, no more heartbreaks
I'm gonna leave you where I met you
I'm gonna leave you with your money
I want somebody to call me honey
I don't want gold rings
I wanna hear sweet things
I need affection, not protection
When you're teasing you should be squeezing
I'm gonna leave you where I met you
Yes I'm pulled up with your person
And I'm pulled up with your person
And I waited getting frustrated
I'm old fashioned I need my passion
So I'm leaving though I'm grieving
I'm gonna leave you where I met you
I'm Gonna Leave You
Nina Simone's 'I'm Gonna Leave You' stands as a poignant testament to her mastery of jazz and blues, capturing the raw emotional turbulence of heartbreak. Recorded for the compilation High Priestess Of Soul [2006], the track exemplifies her signature vocal style, blending soulful intensity with a sophisticated rhythmic approach. The song reflects the broader tradition of the Great American Songbook, where personal narrative meets musical complexity. Simone's delivery transforms a standard ballad structure into a powerful statement on the inevitability of departure, showcasing her ability to convey deep sorrow without explicit lyrical exposition. As part of her extensive discography, this recording reinforces her status as a pivotal figure in 20th-century American music, influencing generations of artists who sought to fuse jazz improvisation with vocal storytelling.