About the song
“Killing Me Softly with His Song” is a quintessential piece of music history that captures the essence of emotional storytelling through song. Composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel, this song’s journey began in the early 1970s when it was inspired by Lori Lieberman, who had been deeply moved by a Don McLean performance. Despite Lieberman’s initial recording of the song in 1972, which unfortunately did not chart, the song would soon find its place in the spotlight through other interpretations.
In 1973, Roberta Flack’s version of “Killing Me Softly with His Song” catapulted the track to international acclaim. Flack’s rendition, marked by its soulful delivery and poignant arrangement, resonated deeply with audiences, propelling it to the top of the charts in the United States, Canada, and Australia, while also reaching No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart. The song’s success was underscored by its significant recognition at the 1974 Grammy Awards, where it won Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Flack’s version of the song was noted for its rich orchestration and emotional depth, elements that distinguished it from Lieberman’s original recording.
The song’s legacy was further solidified when the Fugees, led by Lauryn Hill, covered it in 1996. Their version brought a fresh, contemporary edge to the classic, turning it into a global hit and earning the 1997 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The Fugees’ rendition topped charts in twenty countries, including Germany, where it made history by being the first single to debut at the top of the charts. The success of the Fugees’ version also led to a remix of Flack’s original 1972 recording by Jonathan Peters in 1996, which topped the Hot Dance Club Play chart.
The enduring appeal of “Killing Me Softly with His Song” is evidenced by its inclusion in Rolling Stone’s 2021 revised list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, both for Flack’s and the Fugees’ versions. This dual recognition is a testament to the song’s remarkable impact and versatility. Notably, the track has achieved significant milestones, such as being one of the few songs to be Grammy-nominated for Song of the Year with two versions reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Roberta Flack’s encounter with the song was serendipitous; she first heard Lieberman’s version on an airplane and was immediately captivated. After some meticulous work on the arrangement and a memorable performance in Los Angeles, Flack’s version was released in January 1973 and quickly became a defining hit of that year. The song’s influence has continued to resonate, with Flack’s original version inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and appearing on numerous “greatest songs” lists.
Overall, “Killing Me Softly with His Song” remains a profound example of how a song can transcend time and genre, connecting with listeners through its heartfelt expression and enduring charm.
Video
Lyrics
Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
… I heard he sang a good song
I heard he had a style
And so I came to see him to listen for a while
And there he was this young boy, a stranger to my eyes
… Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
… I felt all flushed with fever
Embarrassed by the crowd
I felt he found my letters
And read each one out loud
I prayed that he would finish
But he just kept right on
… Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
… He sang as if he knew me in all my dark despair
And then he looked right through me as if I wasn’t there
And he just kept on singing, singing clear and strong
… Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
… Woho, la la la la la la, woho, laha, la
… Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me (softly)
… He was strumming my pain
Yeah, he was singing my life
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song