Tag Archives: Roberta Flack

Song of the Week – Killing Me Softly; Roberta Flack, Lori Lieberman, The Fugees

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Ignored             Obscured              Restored

On February 18, 2024, I posted about Roberta Flack’s rendition of “Compared to What” in celebration of Black History Month.  Tragically, almost one year to the day, we learned of her passing at the age of 88 on February 21, 2025.

In light of this, I want to pay tribute to her once again with the next installment of my “Evolution Series.”

Flack first gained widespread attention with “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which became a hit after being featured in Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut Play Misty for Me in 1973.  The song earned her a Grammy for Record of the Year.  She followed that success in 1974 with another Grammy, this time for “Killing Me Softly.”

Flack first heard the song “Killing Me Softly” in a version by Lori Lieberman, which she discovered on an in-flight airline playlist.  She later recalled being so captivated by the song that she played it repeatedly until she could transcribe the melody.

The lyrics were written by Lieberman in collaboration with Norman Gimbel, inspired by a performance she witnessed by Don McLean — famous for “American Pie” — at The Troubadour nightclub in LA.  Despite her role in writing the song, Lieberman was not credited as one of the songwriters.  Undeterred, she recorded and released her own version, though it did not chart.

It’s easy to understand why Flack was so drawn to the song’s simple yet haunting melody, which left a lasting impression on her.

Over two decades later, in 1996, The Fugees released a hip-hop version of the song on their album The Score.  With Lauryn Hill providing the lead vocals, the song soared to the top of the charts, reaching #1 in twenty countries and winning several Grammy Awards, including a second Record of the Year.

The Fugees performed the song during their recent appearance at the excellent SNL50: The Homecoming Concert held at Radio City Music Hall in New York on February 14th.  It can be streamed on Peacock.

Roberta Flack was not only a pioneering artist in pop and soul music, but she was also a philanthropist and an influential civil rights activist.  She will be greatly missed by her many devoted fans.

Enjoy… until next week.

Song of the Week – Compared to What, Roberta Flack

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Ignored            Obscured             Restored

Today’s SotW installment continues the series of posts in recognition of Black History Month.

I recently watched the PBS American Masters documentary about Roberta Flack.  It was very enjoyable and informative.  While I was well aware of her solo hits (“First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, “Killing Me Softly”, “Feel Like Makin’ Love”) and duets with Donny Hathaway (“Where Is the Love”), I didn’t realize how much of her repertoire was dedicated to the confronting social issues affecting the Black community.

Flack was a serious woman.  She was educated at HBCU Howard University (entering at the age of 15!) and studied music (piano and voice), before becoming a teacher.

Her musical career began in Washington, DC, where she held residencies at the Tivoli Club, the 1520 Club, and later, Mr. Henry’s.  She was “discovered” by Les McCann who helped connect her to Atlantic Records for a recording contract.

“Compared to What” was written by Eugene McDaniels, who was featured in a SotW earlier this month.  The recording was Flack’s first single.  Her release was first, but a later version recorded by McCann with Eddie Harris became more popular.

Lyrically, “Compared to What” is a protest of the social conditions that existed in late 60s/early 70s America – especially the Vietnam war.

Said the President, he’s got his war
Folks don’t know just what it’s for
No one gives us rhyme or reason
You have one doubt, they call it treason
I said we’re chicken feathers, all without one gut.
Tryin’ to make it real, but compared to what?

And

Unreal values, crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion

The timeless relevance of the lyrics is astounding!

The American Masters documentary is streaming if you want to see it:

American Masters – Roberta Flack

Enjoy… until next week.