“Killing Me Softly With His Song” is a timeless classic that has been covered by countless artists over the years. The song was originally written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel in 1972, and was made famous by Roberta Flack in 1973. The song has since been covered by artists such as The Fugees, Lori Lieberman, and Perry Como.
The Story Behind The Song
The inspiration for “Killing Me Softly With His Song” came from a performance that songwriter Lori Lieberman saw by Don McLean. Lieberman was so moved by McLean’s performance of “Empty Chairs” that she wrote a poem about it, which eventually became the basis for “Killing Me Softly With His Song”.
Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel took Lieberman’s poem and turned it into a song. Roberta Flack heard the song while on a flight, and was so moved by it that she knew she had to record it.
The Lyrics
The lyrics to “Killing Me Softly With His Song” are as follows:
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 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
What The Song Means
The lyrics to “Killing Me Softly With His Song” are about the power of music and how it can touch us on a deep emotional level. The singer is moved by the young boy’s performance, and feels as though he is singing her own life story.
The song is also about the vulnerability that comes with exposing our emotions to others. The singer is embarrassed by the crowd, and feels as though the young boy has read her personal letters.
The Legacy Of The Song
“Killing Me Softly With His Song” has become an iconic song that has stood the test of time. The song has been covered by numerous artists, and has been featured in movies and TV shows.
The song’s legacy is a testament to the power of music to move us and touch our hearts. The lyrics and melody of “Killing Me Softly With His Song” continue to resonate with listeners today, just as they did when the song was first released almost 50 years ago.
Conclusion
“Killing Me Softly With His Song” is a classic song that has touched the hearts of countless listeners over the years. The song’s timeless lyrics and melody continue to resonate with audiences today, and its legacy is sure to endure for generations to come.
