About the song
“Killing Me Softly with His Song,” a timeless classic penned by Charles Fox with lyrical collaboration from Norman Gimbel, has etched its place in music history since its inception. Originally recorded by Lori Lieberman in late 1971, the song gained prominence after Roberta Flack’s soulful rendition catapulted it to international fame in 1973.
Roberta Flack, an esteemed American singer, decided to record her version of “Killing Me Softly with His Song” after first performing it as a closing number to her set at a concert featuring Marvin Gaye. The audience’s immediate and overwhelming response encouraged Flack to release it as the lead single from her fifth studio album, *Killing Me Softly*, produced by Joel Dorn and released by Atlantic Records on January 21, 1973.
Upon its release, Flack’s rendition garnered critical acclaim, earning three Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 16th Annual Grammy Awards. The song’s impact extended beyond accolades; it secured a spot at number 360 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
Commercially, “Killing Me Softly with His Song” topped charts in Canada and made the top 10 in several countries including the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it reigned atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five non-consecutive weeks in 1973, becoming one of the longest-running number one singles of the year.
The song’s allure lies not only in its haunting melody and poignant lyrics but also in its ability to resonate across generations. Its narrative of being deeply moved by music strikes a universal chord, evident in the numerous covers by artists worldwide, most notably the Fugees’ globally acclaimed rendition in 1996.
“Killing Me Softly with His Song” remains a testament to the power of storytelling through music, continuing to captivate listeners and maintain its status as a classic in the pantheon of musical masterpieces. Its enduring legacy speaks to its ability to evoke profound emotions and connect with audiences on a profound level, ensuring its place as an indelible piece of musical history.
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Lyrics
I heard she sang a good song
I heard she had a style
And so I came to see her
And listen for a while
And there she was this young girl
A stranger to my eyes
Strumming my pain with her fingers
Singing my life with her words
Killing me softly with her song
Killing me softly with her song
Telling my whole life with her words
Killing me softly with her song
I felt all flushed with fever
Embarrassed by the crowd
I felt she found my letters and
Read each one out loud
I prayed that she would finish but
She just kept right on
Strumming my pain with her fingers
Singing my life with her words
Killing me softly with her song
Killing me softly with her song
Telling my whole life with her words
Killing me softly with her song
She sang as if she knew me
In all my dark despair
And then she looked right through me
As if I wasn’t there
But she was there this stranger
Singing clear and strong
Strumming my pain with her fingers
Singing my life with her words
Killing me softly with her song
Killing me softly with her song
Telling my whole life with her words
Killing me softly with her song