Nnenna Freelon: “Dark & Lovely”
Clip: 2/27/2025 | 3m 35sVideo has Closed Captions
Nnenna Freelon performs “Dark & Lovely,” a song dedicated to her young granddaughters.
Nnenna Freelon’s joyful song “Dark & Lovely” is a tender ode to her young granddaughters. From her first album of original tunes, “Beneath the Skin,” the song channels her hope that they grow up in a world where they witness and celebrate the beauty reflected within themselves.
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Shaped by Sound is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Nnenna Freelon: “Dark & Lovely”
Clip: 2/27/2025 | 3m 35sVideo has Closed Captions
Nnenna Freelon’s joyful song “Dark & Lovely” is a tender ode to her young granddaughters. From her first album of original tunes, “Beneath the Skin,” the song channels her hope that they grow up in a world where they witness and celebrate the beauty reflected within themselves.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[tranquil jazz music] ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Dark and lovely ♪ ♪ Sweet and calmly ♪ ♪ That's my baby ♪ ♪ People can't you see ♪ ♪ Molasses sugar candy ♪ ♪ She's so fire and dandy ♪ ♪ That's my baby ♪ ♪ My cup of tea ♪ ♪ When the sun shines in her pretty brown eyes ♪ ♪ It wants to linger a while ♪ ♪ A kiss so chocolatey, she's got the remedy ♪ ♪ To chase the blues with her smile ♪ ♪ Dark and lovely ♪ ♪ Sweet and calmly ♪ ♪ That's my baby ♪ ♪ My cup of tea ♪ ♪ Sweet cinnamon and ginger ♪ ♪ She got me wrapped around her pretty little finger ♪ ♪ Baby, baby ♪ ♪ She's my honey bee ♪ [vocalist scat singing] [tranquil orchestral jazz music] [tranquil orchestral jazz music continues] ♪ Ooh, when the sun shines in her brown eyes ♪ ♪ It wants to linger a while ♪ ♪ A kiss so chocolatey, she's got the remedy ♪ ♪ To chase the blues with her smile ♪ ♪ Dark and lovely ♪ ♪ Sweet and calmly ♪ ♪ That's my baby ♪ ♪ People can't you see ♪ ♪ Sweet cinnamon and ginger ♪ ♪ She's got me wrapped around her pretty little finger ♪ ♪ That's my baby ♪ ♪ My sweet potato baby ♪ ♪ That's my baby ♪ ♪ My honey bee ♪ ♪ Dark and lovely ♪
Nnenna Freelon: “Beneath the Skin”
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 2/27/2025 | 3m 39s | Nnenna Freelon’s song “Beneath the Skin” explores the emotions beneath joy and pain. (3m 39s)
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Clip: 2/27/2025 | 4m 39s | Nnenna Freelon performs “Black Iris,” which was inspired by the rare flower’s unique blossoming. (4m 39s)
Nnenna Freelon: “Here’s Your Hat”
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Clip: 2/27/2025 | 5m 28s | Nnenna Freelon’s “Here’s Your Hat,” a song about letting go of those who no longer serve you well. (5m 28s)
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Clip: 2/27/2025 | 4m 33s | Nnenna Freelon’s “Widow Song” delves into the societal labels that accompany grief. (4m 33s)
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Preview: 2/27/2025 | 30s | The incomparable jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon shares selections from her latest album. (30s)
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Shaped by Sound is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.