Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse wrote "Feeling Good" for the 1964 Broadway musical "The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd." Newley, a British composer and performer, had already established himself in theater and film; Bricusse was an accomplished lyricist and songwriter. Together they created a standard that transcends its theatrical origins, becoming a jazz and pop staple covered by everyone from Nina Simone to Michael Bublé.
The song's enduring appeal lies in its optimistic yet sophisticated sensibility. The melody and harmonic progression invite interpretation across multiple styles, making it equally at home in a jazz ensemble, a cabaret setting, or a musical theater program. For music educators, it represents accessible excellence: simple enough for students to learn quickly, complex enough to reward deeper exploration.
