I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free is a jazz piece written by Billy Taylor for his daughter Kim. The original instrumental, titled I Wish I Knew, was recorded on November 12, 1963 and released in 1964 on the album Right Here, Right Now! A version with lyrics by Dick Dallas became a 1967 single for Nina Simone from her Silk & Soul album, rooted in gospel and jazz. Simone's interpretation helped make the song an enduring Civil Rights Movement anthem and it later served as the theme for a BBC Television review programme. In 2001 Lighthouse Family released a medley version called (I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be) Free/One, illustrating the song's lasting influence across genres.
