Coca-Cola Company has scored a winner with a new feel-good ad that’s been playing these Olympics. When I first saw the commercial I was riveted. Who was that woman? What a gorgeous song! The answers lie, thankfully, at the Coca-Cola website. Her name is Sharlene Hector; she’s a UK singer. The song is I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free, popularized by Nina Simone in 1967, composed by Richard Lamb and William Taylor.

The Hector version is not yet available on iTunes (What a missed opportunity Coca Cola!!!). You can buy the imported single from Amazon.com. The Nina Simone song is available at iTunes, plus several other artists’ versions.

I wish I knew how it would feel to be free
I wish I could break all the chains holding me
I wish I could say all the things that I should say
say ’em loud, say ’em clear
for the whole round world to hear.

I wish I could share all the love that’s in my heart
remove all the bars that keep us apart
I wish that I could say all the things that I should say
say ’em loud, say ’em clear
for the whole round world to hear.

I wish I could give all I’m longing to give
I wish I could live like I’m longing to live
I wish that I could do all the things that I can do
though I’m way overdue I’d be starting anew.

I wish you could know what it means to be me
Then you’d see and agree
that every man should be free.

Well I wish I could be like a bird in the sky
how sweet it would be if I found I could fly
Oh I’d soar to the sun and look down at the sea
and I’d sing cos I’d know that
I’d know how it feels to be free

Links:
Chord chart