White country boy I was, yet this was the first soul tune I fell in love with. I was 17, I had just joined the US Army during the Vietnam conflict, away from home, Drill Sergeants screaming at me, and no energy left at the end of a long soldier's day, yet Roberta singing and driving this tune deep in me, something to hold on to. She has haunted me with this tune ever since... A nice weeping blessed haunting of wonderful vocal mystery and also drama. Almost like she was setting the tone for many more trying times ahead of me. Thank You Roberta, even though you didn't know me, you were right on time. To be honest... Roberta nailed it!!! This is soul... like it has never been nor will be.
Lori Lieberman, one of the two lyricists for this song, went to a Don McLean (American Pie, Vincent) concert at the Troubadour. The notes she wrote down about his performance eventually became this song. Lori Lieberman recorded it first. Roberta Flack's version was recorded second a year later, and is the one that introduced the world to the song. The Fugees and Lauryn Hill did a version in the 90s.
Some time around 1971 I went to a Washington DC nightclub in DuPont Circle. We had a few drinks then Roberta Flack walked out under the spotlight, sat down at the piano accompanied by a guitar player and she sang this song. Tears began flowing from my eyes as the vibe Roberta gently handed out to us caused the room to become hushed. I have never had such an emotional response to a song. Ms. Flack. I will never forget this. I am now 70 years old and this song and her voice still move me. I am so lucky to have been there at that time.
Lori Leibermen in late '71 and released it in '72. Roberta's version was released in '73, though she did do a live version in late '72 when she opened for Marvin Gaye.
I agree. But good luck hearing them on the radio now. Radio stations now , only want 80's or newer music on the radio now. Give me 50's 60's and 70's music again. Sucks that you can't hear music like this, on the radio anymore.
It's just another tool. Technologically changing voices has been going on since the 60's. The electric guitar was seen as an abomination back in the 50's by purists, ditto the electric keyboard, the drum machine in the 60's 70's 80's etc. There are still artists that sing pitch perfect just as there are still artists that play the piano and play the drums and acoustic guitar. Just because others don't it doesn't mean the music is any less good or lost.
@@chrisbarlow2131 Well thank you for your well written explanation, I'll be sure to to take your detailed comments into consideration. Or I might just ignore it. Probably the latter.
I will reply Steve.... I totally agree that auto-tune has destroyed music. It is a totally false comparative, with electric guitars and keyboards. Too many people who can't carry a tune in a bucket are making money because of auto-tune. Very few people can rely on electronics in the same way with any other instrument.
Thank you for reminding me :D I knew it was about a folk singer of that era (and was born in 1972, so before my time). But couldn't put my finger on who it was about. Obviously, not Bob Dylan, nobody would think he was "Killing them softly", his voice is harsh. And couldn't be Harry Chapin, because he was slightly later. I forgot about Don McLean... Thank you again :D
If you look up Lori Lieberman she had origins to this song. It related to seeing Don McLean playing at the Troubadour. czcams.com/video/R16NEK8Gmsg/video.html
1973 I was11 yrs. old. First time I ever went roller skating. The boy I had a crush on was there with another girl and broke my little heart. On the way home this song came on the radio and I felt and heard the pain of the song. I cried all the way home. Music makes an impact. It did on this 11 yr old girl.
I was 6 years old girl who had emotional impact connection to the song. Just not romantically , I was wishing my biological father was loving Dad who would be gentle and nice instead of emotional and physical abuser. During my childhood and adulthood , I have turn to music for calmness and peaceful oasis amongst stressful times.
Loved her from the first time I heard this on my car radio. No hype, no pretense, just letting her big, gentle voice, and the song tell the story. Then I heard "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". And she had me cold.
MrJapanApan - No one really knows what exactly she contributed except that it is most likely inspired by her experience of seeing Don McLean performing. She gave them some words she had written but their claims are not the same as theirs... The lyricist credited says he came up with all his lyrics... A newspaper article from the early 70s seems to back up at least some of her version, especially the part about seeing McClean in concert and being inspired by it... Which the credited writers had denied... Its complicated and the lesson should be to document and make sure your name is on the sheet music if you contributed in a legal way to the composition. General ideas are not necessarily copyrightable.
A singer/songwriter called Lori Lieberman went to see Don Mclean at the L.A Troubadour. This song came out of his singing 'Empty Chairs'. She was so moved by the words that she went back to her publicists Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox and conveyed her feelings. Together they wrote 'Killing me softly with his song'. Lori Lieberman released it as a single, but wasnt successful. Roberta Flack heard it while flying home and the rest is history
This song was number one in 1973. I stayed up late to hear it. I was 13 at the time and was so excited that she made it to number 1.!!!! Loved her voice ❤
"Killing Me Softly with His Song" composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman after she was inspired by a Don McLean performance in late 1971. Lieberman released her version of the song in 1972, but it did not chart. In 1973 it became a number-one hit in the United States and Canada for Roberta Flack. After decades of confirming Lieberman's contribution, Fox and Gimbel changed their story about the song's origins to downplay her role. Gimbel threatened McLean with a lawsuit in 2008, demanding he remove from his website an assertion that McLean was the inspiration for "Killing Me Softly," but McLean responded by showing Gimbel his own words confirming the inspiration, published in 1973.
I remember hearing this around the same time you did. It was raining very hard one morning and I was in tears because I didn't want to go to school. I wanted to stay warm and dry in the house with my mom. :( That memory kept me from loving this song as much as it deserved.
My rough rugged hard rock oldest brother loved Roberta Flack and this song lol., I love it too. It makes me cry now. May he rest in peace😕 For more heart-felt songs maybe try some Carol King- she wrote and sang so many.
I LOVED watching your reaction to Roberta's magical vocals, her incredible interpretation of a musical masterpiece. The Fugees have nothing on Roberta; she'll forever be the master of this song and many others. I just wish I could see her live! I've loved her since I was a lad of about eight.
The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman after she was inspired by a Don McLean performance in late 1971. Lieberman released her version of the song in 1972, but it did not chart. In 1973 it became a number-one hit in the United States, Australia and Canada for Roberta Flack, also reaching number six in the UK Singles Chart. In 1996, Fugees recorded the song with Lauryn Hill on lead vocals, their version became a number-one hit in twenty countries. The version by Flack won the 1974 Grammy for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and the version by Fugees won the 1997 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
This was written by the songwriting team of Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, and first recorded by Lori Lieberman in 1972. The story goes that the song was inspired by Don McLean, singer/songwriter famous for his hit "American Pie' and 'Vincent'. The Fugees also covered it.
Roberta was a classically trained musician and singer. I was in the backseat of a friend's car on our way to class. We were seniors in college and I was soon to leave for the Peace Corps upon graduation. This song came for the first time on the radio. I was stunned at the absolute beauty of it and couldn't get it out of my head for years. Only recently did i come across he original video of this, which is even better than this one as she wasn't quite as famous. I was transported back and pleased to know that this is an amazing performer and amazing song.
My generation had some of the best music I'm so happy I grew up in the 60s and the 70s. I don't think we will ever have music like that again. Somebody please bring it back.
This is when songs and musicians were a total class act. I was in Junior High School when this aired on radio stations. Love Roberta Flack and her music, especially her songs she did with Donny Hathaway. Guarantee you won't hear music like this on the radio today.
I actually lost a relationship over this song. The guy was a musician and said that this is a weak song whereas I think It's amazing. Never, ever trust a man that can't appreciate this song!!! 🤣
i'm a hard rock guy because I love the power. This is power through soul. Something about the 70s and the songwriting back then. I really don't know what to say. This is the kind of song that you just don't want to hear come to an end. Precious
This is one of the absolute greatest songs of all time, and she's one of the greatest singers of all time. We had this 45 when I was a kid & it first came out.
This song means do much to me!! My x. Was a DJ AND musician in the 80's I'm crying now! He died in 2013 of lung cancer!! MY FAVORITE MISTAKE! I HAVE HIS DAUGHTER AND HE STILL BREAKS MY HEART# FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE
I was four when this came out, and remember sitting in the back seat of the car absolutely weeping whenever it came on the radio. Later, I realized it was due to the absolute beauty of the chords and their progression. It still brings a tear to this day. AMAZING!!!
I love the time I grew up... We had music from the 50's, 60's and my era 1970's... With all styles of music from jazz, R&B, Rock, soft Rock, Folk, ballads,...etc... We got to listen to real talented musicians/singers/songwriters...
This was my father's favorite song. (RIP Dad, 1937-2012.) He was able to meet her once! I learned to play this on the piano when I was 9. It's a very deep and emotional lyric, with a beautifully cozy sound. The combination is dynamite. I love your reaction videos!
No one even tried to touch this song for so long, such a classic, such emotion, so deep, so beautiful. Robert Flack is a legend. Until the Fugees put their spin on it, Lauren Hill, who is a legend in her own right.
India, you might like Phorbe Snow. Especially the songs "Poetry Man'" and "Harpo's Blues". I do get a kick out of younger folk discovering and appreciating the music I have loved for years. Enjoy.
I went to see a Jackson Brown concert, Phoebe was his opening act. Nobody knew who she was. She came out in this Mexican dress that looked like a mou mou with embroidery o it. I had a couple of those myself living down here in Tucson. You could tell Phoebe was very uncomfortable on stage. But when she opened her mouth that whole music hall was stunned. Phoebe stole that concert from Jackson Brown. He sounded so boring and repetitive. I never played his album again. But I did run out and buy Phoebee’s album when it dropped. She had a 5 octive voice. 🥰 R.I.P. Phoebe.
This song was written by Lori Lieberman after she went to see Don McLean perform at the Troubadour nightclub in Los Angeles. McLean's hit song "American Pie" was rising in the charts, but Lieberman was strongly affected by McLean singing another song: "Empty Chairs".
The original was by Lori Lieberman. At age 19 she wrote the outline of the song when she saw Don McLean sing "Empty Chairs" live, and felt he was talking so directly to her, that he must have stolen her letters.
This song time stamped my senior year in high school- can't think of a better one for that. Beautiful composition, by a beautiful lady- she was created to sing this song.
I had a crush on my third grade teacher and this song reminded me of her. For the longest time I felt what I took to be embarrassment when I heard this song. As I got older, I figured out it wasn't embarrassment but that I was too young to process the depth of expression of the song and of my own immature feelings.This song still gives chills to this day.
@@stevealdrup9359 I agree. The Fugess version was okay for Lauryn Hill's generation. Roberta's version (although not the first) had a lot of sensual feelings.
Roberta Flack and Dusty Springfield were two of the most beautiful voices and most under appreciated performers of a generation. This song still gives me chills when I hear her sing it...thanks, India, for including this track
Roberta Flack had two straight #1 songs on US Billboard pop chart early in her career with First Time Ever I Saw (1972) and this one in 1973. I actually remember this song as an instrumental several years later listening to my mom's easy listening radio station 😂
Now that you discovered Roberta Flack, would be nice to see your reactions to "The closer i get to you" and "Where is the love" ( both duets with Donny Hathaway) mand "I´d like to be Baby to you". Love them both.
It won't hurt to say it again...there are good songs, great songs, perfect songs and a few miraculous songs. This is one of the few. It is beyond beautiful.
I had the honor of not only meeting but singing with Roberta in 1971 when she was in her early 30's and I was 18. She met with our HS glee club and sang songs with us. We all then went to her local performance that night. What an incredible talent and a beautiful woman who was incredibly sweet and kind to us all. Two years later, everyone knew who she was.
This song is written about Don McLean...."empty chairs" was the song that inspired this song...Roberta is only interpreting this song....it's a cover.. Charles fox wrote the words with Norman gimbel
Effortless! That's how it used to be with gifted artists. The industry used to shovel them out to us...a buffet of excellence. It all ended once 2001 hit...for some reason; and most of them tend to be connected with one person in particular. After that, only the same 8 or so artists were pushed/marketed (and are still being pushed) for the last 18 years. Robbery to all of the great artists who deserve the air time to share their gift/talents with the world. Keep it up India. You are too cute and when your eyes go big or when you start shifting in your chair, it cracks me up every time. :-)
In literature, killing has a sexual connotation. I think it's the idea that the calm following sex is similar to death. Whether this idea applies here might bee a tad sketchy, I don't know.
your hair is so cute up like that- I remember this being on the radio when I was 14 -Everybody and I mean everybody fell in love with her voice--so beautiful
I think you still a twinkle in your Dad's eye when she recorded this . When these songs are played today they sound great and bring back wonderful memories to guys my age . I have vinyls going back to early day big bands and recent releases . Great music never ages .
Lori Lieberman performed the original version of this song. It was written based on her experience of listening to Don McLean live. She talks about it in the last 2 minutes of this video clip: czcams.com/video/cTyGLBANuOg/video.html
Aerioudly know of Roberta Flack...but you introduced me today to her glorious voice really for the first time...what a glorious pure voice! Thankx girl!@
White country boy I was, yet this was the first soul tune I fell in love with. I was 17, I had just joined the US Army during the Vietnam conflict, away from home, Drill Sergeants screaming at me, and no energy left at the end of a long soldier's day, yet Roberta singing and driving this tune deep in me, something to hold on to. She has haunted me with this tune ever since... A nice weeping blessed haunting of wonderful vocal mystery and also drama. Almost like she was setting the tone for many more trying times ahead of me. Thank You Roberta, even though you didn't know me, you were right on time. To be honest... Roberta nailed it!!! This is soul... like it has never been nor will be.
So glad you had this song to hang onto, during a horrific time
Well said. I hope you overcame those trying times and have lived a good life.
Beautiful sentiment.
Thank you for your service.
@@stevendeschaine4277 Tim, MLJ, Steven, Sally... thank you for being here with me!
EVERYONE, black white or brown LOVED Roberta Flack.
Yes
di butler yes we did! And do!
...True story!
Facts
I certainly did..
Lori Lieberman, one of the two lyricists for this song, went to a Don McLean (American Pie, Vincent) concert at the Troubadour. The notes she wrote down about his performance eventually became this song. Lori Lieberman recorded it first. Roberta Flack's version was recorded second a year later, and is the one that introduced the world to the song. The Fugees and Lauryn Hill did a version in the 90s.
Some time around 1971 I went to a Washington DC nightclub in DuPont Circle. We had a few drinks then Roberta Flack walked out under the spotlight, sat down at the piano accompanied by a guitar player and she sang this song. Tears began flowing from my eyes as the vibe Roberta gently handed out to us caused the room to become hushed. I have never had such an emotional response to a song. Ms. Flack. I will never forget this. I am now 70 years old and this song and her voice still move me. I am so lucky to have been there at that time.
What a wonderful memory of an incomparable woman! I'm envious of that experience but can't complain, having been to my share of shows.
Lori Leibermen in late '71 and released it in '72. Roberta's version was released in '73, though she did do a live version in late '72 when she opened for Marvin Gaye.
Roberta Flack and Gladys Knight, two voices that will never be matched
I agree. But good luck hearing them on the radio now. Radio stations now , only want 80's or newer music on the radio now. Give me 50's 60's and 70's music again. Sucks that you can't hear music like this, on the radio anymore.
@@josephvalenzuela311 The Fugees did a great version.
Absolutely true!
I was working at the airport and I JUST broke up with my boyfriend and Gladys sang HE'S leaving midnight train to Georgia BEAUTIFUL LADY
Never Again 🕊🌹
Notice how pure her voice is? Autotune has destroyed the soul of music today.
It's just another tool. Technologically changing voices has been going on since the 60's. The electric guitar was seen as an abomination back in the 50's by purists, ditto the electric keyboard, the drum machine in the 60's 70's 80's etc. There are still artists that sing pitch perfect just as there are still artists that play the piano and play the drums and acoustic guitar. Just because others don't it doesn't mean the music is any less good or lost.
Classy song by a classy lady
@@jedislap8726 Wrong on every level.
@@chrisbarlow2131 Well thank you for your well written explanation, I'll be sure to to take your detailed comments into consideration. Or I might just ignore it. Probably the latter.
I will reply Steve.... I totally agree that auto-tune has destroyed music. It is a totally false comparative, with electric guitars and keyboards. Too many people who can't carry a tune in a bucket are making money because of auto-tune. Very few people can rely on electronics in the same way with any other instrument.
The one she’s singing about is Don McLean.
you nailed it
i love three versions of this song. Don McLean, Roberta, and Lauren Hill. But Roberta was my favorite version.
Thank you for reminding me :D I knew it was about a folk singer of that era (and was born in 1972, so before my time). But couldn't put my finger on who it was about. Obviously, not Bob Dylan, nobody would think he was "Killing them softly", his voice is harsh. And couldn't be Harry Chapin, because he was slightly later. I forgot about Don McLean... Thank you again :D
If you look up Lori Lieberman she had origins to this song. It related to seeing Don McLean playing at the Troubadour. czcams.com/video/R16NEK8Gmsg/video.html
@@jhoang861 Don McClain sang a song someone wrote about him?
When I’d hear Roberta Flack sing it was like the world would just stop for a few minutes. Amazing.
I remember when this was all over the radio. Can't do it any better than that!
1973 I was11 yrs. old. First time I ever went roller skating. The boy I had a crush on was there with another girl and broke my little heart. On the way home this song came on the radio and I felt and heard the pain of the song. I cried all the way home. Music makes an impact. It did on this 11 yr old girl.
I was 11 too that year! I must have crooned that song to myself through my entire puberty
I was 6 years old girl who had emotional impact connection to the song. Just not romantically , I was wishing my biological father was loving Dad who would be gentle and nice instead of emotional and physical abuser. During my childhood and adulthood , I have turn to music for calmness and peaceful oasis amongst stressful times.
@@pamjarvis8653 I understand. For me, it was my mother... Much love, prayers, and a warm hug of solidarity.
Boo Kitty I was that age also! It totally blew me away. People tell me when they hear this song, it reminds them of me.
Amazing story Boo 😭
The thing about Roberta’s voice that always captivated me was the clarity and power throughout the entire vocal range. Never a strain
Loved her from the first time I heard this on my car radio. No hype, no pretense, just letting her big, gentle voice, and the song tell the story. Then I heard "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". And she had me cold.
The song is about Don Maclean, about a performance she saw of his song "Vincent".
except it was Lori Lieberman and the song was "Empty Chairs"
except it was Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel who wrote it for Lori Lieberman
@@jpatherton2415 The song is based on a poem by Lori and she wrote one of the verses. Fox and Gimbel wrote the melody and the rest of the lyrics.
I heard it was Don McLean "American Pie".
MrJapanApan - No one really knows what exactly she contributed except that it is most likely inspired by her experience of seeing Don McLean performing. She gave them some words she had written but their claims are not the same as theirs... The lyricist credited says he came up with all his lyrics...
A newspaper article from the early 70s seems to back up at least some of her version, especially the part about seeing McClean in concert and being inspired by it... Which the credited writers had denied...
Its complicated and the lesson should be to document and make sure your name is on the sheet music if you contributed in a legal way to the composition.
General ideas are not necessarily copyrightable.
Roberta Flack is so beautiful. I was in high school when this came out. It sounds as magical now as it did back then. What a talent she is!
It’s timeless.
She has a beautiful voice.
I love this cover version of lori liebermans song,beautiful
@@leerobinson6017t's always funny when you find these things out years later. Hopefully she got credited for it as the sole songwriter.
There will never be one like her again. This is perfection. Stunning.
It was the Fugees that covered this song in the early 90's.
... and what a pile of crap that was! :)
You mean it was the Fugees that murdered it in the early 90's?
It was recorded by Flak in early 70s as I got pregnant listening to her album:)
@@geoffos42 thank you!
@@Hondadctrider murdered as in clubbing a seal to death yea
Musicians used to play musical instruments and perform their songs live. Hopefully we’ll get back to that kind of artistry.
The band who played with Dean Martin were stunning. So tight they sounded like a single instrument.
I doubt it. Kids nowadays only care about the bass. Oldies had stories and musicians had so much talent back then.
Check out Josh Turner and his friends.
She and Donny Hathaway had a big hit as a duo in the 70s with "Where is the Love?". She's an incredible, timeless talent.
I love her duets with Donny Hathaway
Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
Great Album
"Where is the Love" can't be duplicated or topped by anyone!
She and Donnie were the stuff when they released it.
I loved that song. I think I was 5 when that came out.
@Scorpio Way Well, Marvin and Tammi....
A singer/songwriter called Lori Lieberman went to see Don Mclean at the L.A Troubadour. This song came out of his singing 'Empty Chairs'. She was so moved by the words that she went back to her publicists Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox and conveyed her feelings. Together they wrote 'Killing me softly with his song'. Lori Lieberman released it as a single, but wasnt successful. Roberta Flack heard it while flying home and the rest is history
She gives me chills. I'm in my 60's and I love watching your reactions to the best music ever. Try some Phobe Snow.
Same here 51 in UK I personally always knew this song. I'm amazed how many youngsters don't know real music Xx
Here you go loving another song over 40 years old. You have really good taste.
This version by Roberta Flack is the best for this song she has such a great voice.
This song was number one in 1973. I stayed up late to hear it. I was 13 at the time and was so excited that she made it to number 1.!!!! Loved her voice ❤
"Killing Me Softly with His Song" composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman after she was inspired by a Don McLean performance in late 1971. Lieberman released her version of the song in 1972, but it did not chart. In 1973 it became a number-one hit in the United States and Canada for Roberta Flack.
After decades of confirming Lieberman's contribution, Fox and Gimbel changed their story about the song's origins to downplay her role. Gimbel threatened McLean with a lawsuit in 2008, demanding he remove from his website an assertion that McLean was the inspiration for "Killing Me Softly," but McLean responded by showing Gimbel his own words confirming the inspiration, published in 1973.
I’m 52 and I felt went back to my childhood when I was 6 or 7 in the mid 70’s
Cheers for 67 🍻
I remember hearing this around the same time you did. It was raining very hard one morning and I was in tears because I didn't want to go to school. I wanted to stay warm and dry in the house with my mom. :(
That memory kept me from loving this song as much as it deserved.
@@andreadeamon6419
68 is better....lol
@@armybeef68 nah - not really 😉
@@andreadeamon6419
LOL...Hey, you still in DFW?
My rough rugged hard rock oldest brother loved Roberta Flack and this song lol., I love it too. It makes me cry now. May he rest in peace😕
For more heart-felt songs maybe try some Carol King- she wrote and sang so many.
S.L. S.L. So sorry for your loss
@@beckygould7509 ty so much- i appreciate that❤
S.L. S.L. Absolutely! Carole king is an incredible singer!
I LOVED watching your reaction to Roberta's magical vocals, her incredible interpretation of a musical masterpiece. The Fugees have nothing on Roberta; she'll forever be the master of this song and many others. I just wish I could see her live! I've loved her since I was a lad of about eight.
The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman after she was inspired by a Don McLean performance in late 1971. Lieberman released her version of the song in 1972, but it did not chart. In 1973 it became a number-one hit in the United States, Australia and Canada for Roberta Flack, also reaching number six in the UK Singles Chart. In 1996, Fugees recorded the song with Lauryn Hill on lead vocals, their version became a number-one hit in twenty countries. The version by Flack won the 1974 Grammy for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and the version by Fugees won the 1997 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
One of the all time great singers, such a voice.
Just beautiful! One of the best girl singers, ever.
Her and Karen Carpenter... :)
Without a doubt. Just awesome. Remember being played on radio almost every day when I was a kid
This was written by the songwriting team of Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, and first recorded by Lori Lieberman in 1972. The story goes that the song was inspired by Don McLean, singer/songwriter famous for his hit "American Pie' and 'Vincent'. The Fugees also covered it.
Roberta was a classically trained musician and singer. I was in the backseat of a friend's car on our way to class. We were seniors in college and I was soon to leave for the Peace Corps upon graduation. This song came for the first time on the radio. I was stunned at the absolute beauty of it and couldn't get it out of my head for years. Only recently did i come across he original video of this, which is even better than this one as she wasn't quite as famous. I was transported back and pleased to know that this is an amazing performer and amazing song.
Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway were golden together. Where is the love!
Yes, yes! Love that song.
Yes!!! Lol!!!
Yessss Lord have mercy
Roberta's niece, Rory Flack, is a champion professional ice skater, and she skates to her aunt's songs a lot.
corvus13 wow!
My generation had some of the best music I'm so happy I grew up in the 60s and the 70s. I don't think we will ever have music like that again. Somebody please bring it back.
This is when songs and musicians were a total class act. I was in Junior High School when this aired on radio stations. Love Roberta Flack and her music, especially her songs she did with Donny Hathaway. Guarantee you won't hear music like this on the radio today.
The one and only... Roberta Flack. What an incredible woman.
I actually lost a relationship over this song. The guy was a musician and said that this is a weak song whereas I think It's amazing. Never, ever trust a man that can't appreciate this song!!! 🤣
Yeah.. that's definitely a clue...
@@kens97sto171 ❤❤❤
Dawn mazarati... I agreed with with you , some people cant appreciate a really good singer, and yu said hes a musician, 😪😪😪
or woman
Kicked his dumbass to the curb
No none sings this song better than Roberta. A beautiful song by a beautiful Voice!
Real music, real talent and not one nasty word, this is dignity. I'm thankful I grow up many many years ago.
Roberta Flack was stunning! Her beauty and her voice! My God that voice!!
i'm a hard rock guy because I love the power. This is power through soul. Something about the 70s and the songwriting back then. I really don't know what to say. This is the kind of song that you just don't want to hear come to an end. Precious
This is one of the absolute greatest songs of all time, and she's one of the greatest singers of all time.
We had this 45 when I was a kid & it first came out.
This song means do much to me!! My x. Was a DJ AND musician in the 80's I'm crying now! He died in 2013 of lung cancer!! MY FAVORITE MISTAKE! I HAVE HIS DAUGHTER AND HE STILL BREAKS MY HEART# FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE
Great song to remember him!
I was four when this came out, and remember sitting in the back seat of the car absolutely weeping whenever it came on the radio. Later, I realized it was due to the absolute beauty of the chords and their progression. It still brings a tear to this day. AMAZING!!!
I love the time I grew up... We had music from the 50's, 60's and my era 1970's... With all styles of music from jazz, R&B, Rock, soft Rock, Folk, ballads,...etc... We got to listen to real talented musicians/singers/songwriters...
This was my father's favorite song. (RIP Dad, 1937-2012.) He was able to meet her once!
I learned to play this on the piano when I was 9. It's a very deep and emotional lyric, with a beautifully cozy sound. The combination is dynamite.
I love your reaction videos!
No one even tried to touch this song for so long, such a classic, such emotion, so deep, so beautiful. Robert Flack is a legend. Until the Fugees put their spin on it, Lauren Hill, who is a legend in her own right.
This was on the radio almost constantly back in the 70’s. It was almost like an IV.
YUP
Good times great tunes
Here's a great one ' Taxi' by Harry Chapin. Harry was a great story teller. R.I.P. Harry.
Cats in The Cradle, anyone? David Gates from Bread is a great and under appeciated singer and writer. Same with Bill Withers.
I remember this song growing up in the 70's. In the car, on the radio in the kitchen... everywhere. Such a perfect song.
I heard this when it first came out in 1973 and couldn't play it enough...on a record. I love Roberta Flack....
This song was HUGE when it first came out... so beautiful.. It brings to mind Poetry Man by Phoebe Snow...
Great Song!
Phoebe Snow was wonderful
Both songs were about Don McClean.
@@johnkelley5522 never heard that about Poetry Man.. There was a rumor it was about Jackson Browne that I think she said it wasn't..
India, you might like Phorbe Snow. Especially the songs "Poetry Man'" and "Harpo's Blues".
I do get a kick out of younger folk discovering and appreciating the music I have loved for years. Enjoy.
I went to see a Jackson Brown concert, Phoebe was his opening act. Nobody knew who she was. She came out in this Mexican dress that looked like a mou mou with embroidery o it. I had a couple of those myself living down here in Tucson. You could tell Phoebe was very uncomfortable on stage. But when she opened her mouth that whole music hall was stunned. Phoebe stole that concert from Jackson Brown. He sounded so boring and repetitive. I never played his album again. But I did run out and buy Phoebee’s album when it dropped. She had a 5 octive voice. 🥰 R.I.P. Phoebe.
Yes good choice!! Very soulful song.
Mrs. Phobe was great indeed. But my personal favorite by her was "Rock Away". Can't tell you how soothing that song is to me even now. Classic love!
I saw that concert with Browne and Snow. It was great! And the song Killing Me Softly is like church.
OMG yes! Phoebe.
This song was written by Lori Lieberman after she went to see Don McLean perform at the Troubadour nightclub in Los Angeles. McLean's hit song "American Pie" was rising in the charts, but Lieberman was strongly affected by McLean singing another song: "Empty Chairs".
The original was by Lori Lieberman. At age 19 she wrote the outline of the song when she saw Don McLean sing "Empty Chairs" live, and felt he was talking so directly to her, that he must have stolen her letters.
She sings Like An Angel. She IS an angel. I love Roberta Flack.
She did an incredible job on this song.
Mmm Roberta Flack. Such a beautiful voice! How I loved her music... and Phoebe Snow's music, too.
Roberta Flack, beyond talent , given. But was that the three best backup singers ever? Unreal!
Robeta Flack's version of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' is spectacular. I had to listen to it again and again, it was so good.
This song time stamped my senior year in high school- can't think of a better one for that. Beautiful composition, by a beautiful lady- she was created to sing this song.
I remember this song and at the time I was a rocker. Always appreciated her talent and enjoyed this cut. (Shhhh ! Don't tell my rocker friends).
I had a crush on my third grade teacher and this song reminded me of her. For the longest time I felt what I took to be embarrassment when I heard this song. As I got older, I figured out it wasn't embarrassment but that I was too young to process the depth of expression of the song and of my own immature feelings.This song still gives chills to this day.
Yeah..... Roberta Flack is a former music teacher.....to this day her kids love her!
Lauryn Hill did a breathtaking cover of this song when she was with The Fugees
It was indeed breath-taking. It was so absolutely horrible that it took everyone's breath away.
I love L.H. cover of this song
I loved it, still do.
Lauryn Hills version sounded like flatulence
It was gorgeous and different, but I gotta say it added a little too much and lost something, I still go back to Roberta's. Hmm.
Roberta is AMAZING! The Fugees covered this and Lauren Hill did a great job with it.
Much prefer the original. Fugees version, imo, was OK not great.
@@stevealdrup9359 I agree. The Fugess version was okay for Lauryn Hill's generation. Roberta's version (although not the first) had a lot of sensual feelings.
She always sounds as though she is singing directly to me. Likely every man feels exactly the same as I do. I have always loved listening to her.
Roberta Flack and Dusty Springfield were two of the most beautiful voices and most under appreciated performers of a generation. This song still gives me chills when I hear her sing it...thanks, India, for including this track
I whole hearted AGREE.
Dusty and Roberta and Karen Carpenter are the top 3 G.O.A.T Female Singers for me personally.
As a teenager, I fell in love with her voice. A true artist.
Roberta Flack is amazing ilove her voice she has an amazing set of pipes 1 of the best female singers of all time .😊💖😎
She's killing me ! Haunting, beautiful, perfection!
She was perfection. So smooth. It came across so easy. I get chills when I hear her sing. She gets right into my heart and I get emotional. ❤️
This was a huge hit when I was in High School. Great song
Roberta Flack had two straight #1 songs on US Billboard pop chart early in her career with First Time Ever I Saw (1972) and this one in 1973.
I actually remember this song as an instrumental several years later listening to my mom's easy listening radio station 😂
Roberta Flack had one of the GREATEST voices in music!! The voice of an angel, just like you said. Soothing, soulful, and powerful
Now that you discovered Roberta Flack, would be nice to see your reactions to "The closer i get to you" and "Where is the love" ( both duets with Donny Hathaway) mand "I´d like to be Baby to you". Love them both.
You don't have to be a star by Billy Davis and
This is one of my all time favourite songs, Roberta had such class and taste.
It won't hurt to say it again...there are good songs, great songs, perfect songs and a few miraculous songs. This is one of the few. It is beyond beautiful.
She has the voice of an angel and beauty to match...thank you for this.
I was about 10 when this came out and even at that age I knew the song was fantastic and my God what a voice Roberta had. Simply stunning.
I used to go to sleep when this song came on my transistor radio in 1973, aged 14, my all time favourite ever!
First released by Lori Lieberman in 1972, it did not "chart". The Roberta released it in 1973 and it hit the roof!
I had the honor of not only meeting but singing with Roberta in 1971 when she was in her early 30's and I was 18. She met with our HS glee club and sang songs with us. We all then went to her local performance that night. What an incredible talent and a beautiful woman who was incredibly sweet and kind to us all. Two years later, everyone knew who she was.
Best voice of her time. Loved this tune when it came out, also "The first time ever I saw your face"
This song is written about Don McLean...."empty chairs" was the song that inspired this song...Roberta is only interpreting this song....it's a cover.. Charles fox wrote the words with Norman gimbel
Are you sure? I had always heard that it was about American Pie
@@drdr76 positive
@@drdr76 the lyrics of this song don't reflect American Pie.
Lori Lieberman wrote the song after seeing Don McLean. You can here her original version on you tube.
THE SONG IS ABOUT DON SINGING VINCENT
Thanks for showcasing THE finest female voice in all of history.
Great song, great performer. The song has that Brazilian soft bossa Nova guitar that goes, turns & comes back so softly.
Effortless! That's how it used to be with gifted artists. The industry used to shovel them out to us...a buffet of excellence. It all ended once 2001 hit...for some reason; and most of them tend to be connected with one person in particular. After that, only the same 8 or so artists were pushed/marketed (and are still being pushed) for the last 18 years. Robbery to all of the great artists who deserve the air time to share their gift/talents with the world.
Keep it up India. You are too cute and when your eyes go big or when you start shifting in your chair, it cracks me up every time. :-)
The Fugues with Lauren Hill did a cover of this song
It's really good too, but not with this same feeling.
I can't tell the difference between Flack and Hill.
AWESOME SONG sung by a ANGEL Every since I was a kid this song was just awesome. LOVE IT and thank you for playing it.
Roberta has a magically smooth voice. You have a very expressive face. We can tell what you're feeling as the song plays. Thank you.
In literature, killing has a sexual connotation. I think it's the idea that the calm following sex is similar to death. Whether this idea applies here might bee a tad sketchy, I don't know.
I loved her the first time I heard her as a teenager.
your hair is so cute up like that- I remember this being on the radio when I was 14 -Everybody and I mean everybody fell in love with her voice--so beautiful
I think you still a twinkle in your Dad's eye when she recorded this . When these songs are played today they sound great and bring back wonderful memories to guys my age . I have vinyls going back to early day big bands and recent releases . Great music never ages .
This is bittersweet....So beautiful and no music will ever compare to the music of the past.
Such a beautiful voice. Gosh, I'm so glad I grew up through these years and got to hear all these great voices.
this song she wrote was after seeing a Don McLean concert, she felt he was singing to her as if he knew her thoughts and feelings, beautiful!!
Me Flack didn't write this, but it is great
Ms Flack
Lori Lieberman performed the original version of this song. It was written based on her experience of listening to Don McLean live. She talks about it in the last 2 minutes of this video clip: czcams.com/video/cTyGLBANuOg/video.html
thanks peeps for the info, i was given wrong info. 👍❤🙏
Aerioudly know of Roberta Flack...but you introduced me today to her glorious voice really for the first time...what a glorious pure voice! Thankx girl!@
My mom loved this song, she had the record, she'd play it as she cleaned the house when I was little. Great artist!
The magic, rich subtleness of her voice...so powerful and effortless all at once...