Roberta Flack – Killing Me Softly With His Song (1973)

About the song

## Killing Me Softly With His Song: Roberta Flack’s Timeless Ballad

Roberta Flack’s 1973 rendition of “Killing Me Softly With His Song” is a testament to the power of music to evoke profound emotions. As a timeless ballad, it has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, transcending generations and musical genres.

The song’s origins can be traced back to the early 1970s when a young songwriter named Lori Lieberman penned the lyrics. Inspired by her experiences as a struggling musician in New York City, Lieberman poured her heart and soul into the song, creating a poignant reflection on the transformative power of music.

When Roberta Flack first heard Lieberman’s demo, she was immediately drawn to its raw emotion and lyrical depth. With her soulful vocals and impeccable phrasing, Flack breathed new life into the song, elevating it to a level of artistry that few could match.

The song’s title, “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” is a powerful metaphor for the overwhelming impact that music can have on the listener. It suggests a sense of vulnerability and surrender, as if the music has the ability to disarm and captivate the soul. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a young woman who is deeply moved by the singer’s performance, finding solace and connection in the shared experience of music.

Flack’s vocals are a highlight of the song, conveying a range of emotions with incredible nuance and sensitivity. Her voice is both delicate and powerful, capable of expressing both vulnerability and strength. The arrangement is simple yet effective, featuring a sparse accompaniment of piano and strings that allow Flack’s vocals to take center stage.

“Killing Me Softly With His Song” has been covered by countless artists over the years, but Flack’s original recording remains the definitive version. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the song’s timeless appeal and the power of music to connect with listeners on a deep emotional level.

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 and 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’d 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

Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
La-la-la, la, la, la
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
La-ah-ah-ah-ah
La-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah

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