Kazuo Ishiguro has declared Nina Simone’s “Keeper of the Flame” as the greatest love song ever written, praising its unique portrayal of love’s endurance through adversity, per faroutmagazine.co.uk.
The Japanese-born British novelist, celebrated for masterpieces like The Remains of the Day and The Buried Giant, shared his deep appreciation for Simone’s 1967 recording from her album High Priestess of Soul. Unlike conventional love songs that focus on romantic beginnings or endings, Ishiguro notes that “Keeper of the Flame” stands apart in its portrayal of love’s ongoing struggle.
“This one’s about the battle to keep love alive over the long distance, through hostile, inclement conditions,” Ishiguro explained, highlighting Simone’s exceptional vocal delivery that combines “resolution, stoicism and courage” with “a sense of carrying wounds that may never heal.”
Music has long served as a creative compass for Ishiguro’s writing process. He previously revealed how Tom Waits’ music influenced a crucial character development in The Remains of the Day, leading him to create an emotional breakthrough for his protagonist, Stevens. This musical inspiration continued with The Buried Giant, for which he curated a playlist featuring artistes like Ennio Morricone and Leonard Cohen.
The 2017 Nobel laureate’s appreciation for Simone’s work particularly resonates with his own literary themes of memory, love and human connection. The song’s seductive strings and Simone’s intimate contralto create what Ishiguro considers a perfect embodiment of love’s enduring nature, making it an invaluable inspiration for writers exploring the complexities of human relationships.
•Featured image: Kazuo Ishiguro/Far Out / Jeff Cottenden
