Don McLean - Empty Chairs (for Lori Lieberman / August 2011)

[@ianrobs5866]

This song forever breaks my heart. I played and sang it regularly after my wife and mother of my only son left me. Then she passed away from cancer. Lost her forever. Miss you Allison.

[@1719456]

I too indulged my sorrow with this song after my wife left me. We remain friends to this day, but when I hear this song, it takes me back to the saddest moments of my life. Sorry for your loss my friend.

[@AJR250]

My heart goes out to you

[@denzildcruz2881]

I too used to perform this song, mainly at local shows here in London and looking up into the audience at the end, I would often see dozens of tear filled eyes looking back at me, it is a beautiful poignant song. I'm so sorry for your loss Ian, I hope you take some comfort knowing people around the world can read your message and offer their support, bless you.

[@robobrien7656]

Mr McLean wrote some of the best songs ever painted. He has selflessly shared his gift with eternity .

[@perrycatena2614]

This song, like many others Don has written and performed, is a lyrical and melodic masterpiece. I cannot get "enough" of it. Thank you Don McLean.

[@jacquismith3277]

What a beautiful video, with Lori receiving an accolade from Don. Love it from start to finish. XXX

[@Brandespada]

Lori's story is too beautiful to be true. Fox and Gimbel deny it.

[@SEGoddard]

@@Brandespada Where?

[@Brandespada]

​@@SEGoddardLook for: "Fox discusses writing Killing Me Softly"

[@permatitres3636]

it was 1972 when I first arrived to this country & Don Mclean was singing 'crying on he taxicab radio. I fell in love with Don and his music ever since, he has such a wonderful voice I am so grateful to youtube 'cause I can listening to his hits, as many times as I want to.

[@jazzsnare]

Don McLean is at the very topmost of American lyricists. So many great, small, under-appreciated songs. I met him with tears in my eyes and thanked him; it was very important to me, and he seemed to have been touched by it, and he thanked me. Perfect.

[@francisalanwormald6328]

AT 83 I was an instant fan of Don's in 1972/73...Saw him live in Myrtle Beach. I remain a fan of his lyrics, melodies & messages...I just wish I had mastered the guitar....siigghh....

[@luisstern]

I have been following Don McLean since 1973 an I love his songs!!!

[@rigbyfin]

his voice is just the same as it was 35 years ago. i close my eyes and we are both young again

[@horsehide3039]

I hear you Annie

[@rosalindamartinez9634]

IT'S LIKE LOOKING BACK THROUGH A REVIEW MIRROR. WHEN WE ARE YOUNG WE NEVER THINK WE GROW OLD. BUT ISN'T IT GRAND TO LIVE THAT LONG AND STILL FEEL LOVE AND IT DOES SEEMS TO ME AND MAYBE TO EVERYONE THAT WHEN A MARRIAGE IS MADE IN HEAVEN ONLY DEATH CAN SEPARATE THAT LOVE. HOW GREAT IS THAT?

[@rosalindamartinez9634]

I CAN SEE MR. DON MCLEAN, HE LOOKS SO DIFFERENT. LIKE IF HE WAS OVER WORKING HIMSELF. THEN WHEN HE WAS DOING THE INTERVIEW, YEARS LATER HE LOOKS YOUNGER AND HIS FACE DON'T LOOK SO OLD AND TIRED. LIKE IF MR. DON MCLEAN HAD A NEW LEASE ON LIFE. HE LOOKS YOUNGER AND FULFILLED. OH, I DO HOPE HE IS DOING ALRIGHT. THANK U FOR POSTING THIS VIDEO. HAVE A GOOD DAY. 👍😊☺🙂👌.

[@andrehferrari9242]

I don't have a good ear, but every time I see people making such comments I'm thankful for what I have.

[@mohansundaresan2135]

Truly an “evergreen”. One of a few favorites. Connot express the comfort in voice and words.

[@purecerebralassasin]

Don Mclean is hands down the greatest song writer ever. His songs are pure poetry. Absolutely Magical. PS: 'Castles in the air' is my favorite. :)

[@jorgebarbosa8294]

i agree

[@carlosmoreno7066]

@@jorgebarbosa8294 I agree

[@janetabram6785]

Totally absolutely agree, and this is my second favourite!!!!

[@Brandespada]

You probably are not a fan of Van Gogh. "Vincent" is McLean's greatest masterpiece!

[@wanbelstap168]

Don is a gifted poet, singer and philosopher...his songs are gems, treasures that make you feel and think...a true artist who has touched many around the world with his beautiful melodies and songs...

[@toshomni9478]

A beautiful video of two legends coming together. How awesome.

[@cjwaywell]

guitar perfection with a voice to match yet another man who has changed all of our lives for the better for which we owe him much thanks

[@christophermo6734]

Don is a gifted person who make your soul to live again

[@maestrothomas]

One of the most beautiful singer songwriter songs ever ... Don McLean was and is a master of communicating beauty through poetic lyrics and delicate and beautiful melody

[@robobrien7656]

Thoughts of beauty in dulcet tomes, give wondrous truths everlasting homes .

[@paulgleitman7096]

Beautiful, simply beautiful.

[@fedwards101]

Was lucky enough to see Don live last year, he played this and you could hear a pin drop in the auditorium. This song still has the power to make me cry, so beautifully poignant and a timeless classic

[@artymgysgt]

A beautiful song and you can understand every word he sings,

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Every word he sings in EVERY song he sings. One never needs the lyrics when listening to him.

[@philee1820003]

i've nearly forgotten this beautiful song and the song titled "killing me with his song" really reflect what i felt if i was lucky enough to have the chance to see him live performed this song

[@Celestino51]

I love your music Don... You are my musical HERO...

[@mtchair4me]

This is like watching history in the making. Histories characters actually performing as significant junctures are relived discussed and explained. This present world is honored that someone something has granted the present world a gimps of history unfolding.

[@adelaidablackman4514]

I've always loved Don McLean since the 70's.

[@donaldfelipe3480]

im just 22 and the 1st time i listened to your songs i just felt inlove with it... now this songs are my favorite, i even downloaded it and listens to them every time i wake up and befor going to sleep :)

[@mykesiosondayson6830]

Still amazing voice, since then en now,my fav.Singer

[@mauidreamer2801]

This song...this performance...it's beyond beautiful. Thank you so much for posting.

[@xynerandy5377]

My 2thumbs up is for this man!

[@lilithl1]

still killing me softly with your songs, and i wonder if you know that you're the best...

[@eleazarjuson735]

I always love Don Mclean songs...i bought the LP i still listen to this day....

[@geoffcolville5667]

Another masterpiece from Don maclean

[@mabinibaluyut4687]

he's blessed with almost a very slight change, but almost just the same. God bless you always Sir.

[@godneerg3093]

Every time I hear a Don Mclean song reminds me of my Uncle Julian's great voice way back home in Nagbukel, Ilocos Sur.

[@mastic5519]

Don is a talented musician and songwriter living the dream.

[@salesdasprampas3478]

A beautiful song. Congratulations

[@Cbriano46]

This song is my love story. I cried for hours when I heard it.

[@tbone211208]

The song Killing Me Softly is about Don McClean. Don't believe all you read on Wikipedia.

[@dbe6307]

Lori wrote it, ostensibly about Don McLean

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

@@dbe6307 written by charkes fox and norman gimbel. Lori contributed with certain sentences.

[@aniksamiurrahman6365]

@@gbwildlifeuk8269 That's really questionable. It's clear from the song that it's a young girl's experience. The song is imbued with youthful, feminine emotions. This coming out of two middle-aged dudes is more impossible than a hen laying ostrich eggs. At best, they helped to polish the language with their experience.

[@aniksamiurrahman6365]

Wikipedia corrected their description!

[@chiquimarissavillanueva8450]

love this song🌹💕

[@TomFan42]

Correct, but Gimbel and Fox didn't always say that. In the 70's they agreed with Lieberman's account exactly. The wikipedia article on Lori Lieberman has a link to an April 5,1973 Daily News article by Patricia O'Haire who quotes both Lieberman and Gimbel. And of course, the lyrics fit exactly to the experience Lori had listening to a singer/songwriter/guitarist. Coincidence? It's hard to believe they were, instead, inspired by a guy in a novel listening to a jazz pianist.

[@zyxmyk]

Don Maclean looks great! He looks like one of the Founding Fathers. He's as great as he ever was and that should give hope to everyone.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

He has such a great catalog of music outside of American Pie and Vincent. If those are songs that got your attention, I'd suggest going through his early albums i.e. Tapestry, (self titled) Don McLean,

[@peterandrews4866]

It shows the strength of his songwriting that this was on the same album ( American Pie) alongside both Vincent and the title track and yet none of then are the equal of Crossroads ( if you haven't heard it, remedy that immediately!) ...and then there's also Winter wood.....the guy's a genius

[@woofersagainstviolence5349]

I know you posted this 2 yrs ago. Crossroads is cerebral; but if yur still watching; you forgot the best of all !!! TAPESTRY.!!! So many sublime yet supreme tracks. I rate that Don,s no 1 Album and then American Pie. Wow Magdalene Lane and Tapestry. What Genius. Don and Dan Fogelberg, would have to go down equally as best voice, best musician, best songwriter/Lyricist, Best Poet of all time. I cant split them, both incredible "Artists" slash Legends.

[@SwAggCiTyent305]

The chords / chord changes are the same as in 'Vincent'... "McLean tells me when listeners play [American Pie]'s love ballad Empty Chairs he means them to see Van Gogh's painting of a chair." www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/7264618/Don-McLean-interview-Why-I-had-to-write-Vincent.html

[@juliosilva5807]

Don mclean é como vinho quanto mais o tempo passa melhor ele é com um microfone em sua mão com sua voz de ouro

[@pluckerpick]

As good as if not better than Vincent, Empty Chairs does not get the credit it fully deserves.

[@eddynevvy]

I watched Don's concert @ The Living Arts Centre in the 90's here in our place...fabulous!

[@marienenalabrador6703]

Reminiscing my younger years... Don's magical voice brings me back to my youth❤❤❤

[@donmclean8793]

Hello 👋 mairen How’re you doing. Thanks for this comment, I'm nothing without fans like you who appreciate my musical craftiness It's nice meeting you here.

[@marienenalabrador6703]

@@donmclean8793 you composed your songs from the heart, nothing has changed, then and now...i am a fan of soulful music💖💖💖

[@donmclean8793]

I really appreciate you so much and for being a wonderful fans! And also for the deep love you have for the music! Big thanks to you!! You being one of the amazing fans who have being supporting the music for a long!

[@donmclean8793]

I will look forward to you sending me a 👋 on my mailing address and feel free to do so.

[@marienenalabrador6703]

Really? I really appreciate that..😊

[@kritcee]

I was here, too ! I enjoyed a lot!

[@Nuyorico]

Poetic thoughts, in prose or rhyme, weave their lines through space & time

[@OdenErs]

so amazing :)

[@ryanmeldiaz5727]

I knew it! "Killing me softly" was composed for him by Lieberman.

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

FFS! Killing me softly was composed by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel. Lieberman was first to record it but it flopped. Roberta Flack made it famous a year later. (1972 and she was a better singer with better tone!)

[@croTP]

​@@gbwildlifeuk8269what a bs you're talking.Moron

[@Komorebineeded]

​@@gbwildlifeuk8269 Whether a song becomes a hit or a flop is beside the point. When someone writes a song coming from personal experience, there's always a beauty there that can never be matched. Of course, someone else can sing it better or more powerfully or make it a bigger success, but the story will always belong to the original artist.

[@alancornelius1ghf]

Beautiful

[@neo307a]

Recently read he was also no push over... Gimble tried to legally strong arm him over "killing me softley" references, with legal threats and instead he used Gimble's own words against him and refused to cave in. Sounds honorable to me.

[@pytoonia]

dear homelessbrother, thank you so much for sending this to me!!!!!

[@eddynevvy]

still remember Lori & Don & Killing Them Softly by Roberta's song (her own version is quite good) & both versions were popular in the early 70's during my high school days...wow

[@red_rose_redemption]

Suprememaster ! and Don Mclean I attended this, it was amazing !!

[@unclebob53703]

Lovely

[@ddfgamefarm]

May God Bless you always and strengthen you.

[@markbrock9020]

Still the best.

[@binjoguan2544]

This is my Hero

[@aweecoldcanofcok]

I love this song.

[@nextworld9176]

"...written by Gimble and Fox..." is bullshit. Killing Me Softly was inspired by McLean, created by Lori Lieberman, finished by Gimble, set to music by Fox, and popularized by Roberta Flack.

[@TristanandIsolt]

How they can live with themselves is an indictment to them being worthless as human beings despite their song writing talent.

[@mr.m.1409]

This song always puts me in mind of John Denver's song, "I'm Sorry".

[@edumage]

Who is the woman I. The corner of the frame who appears and disappears throughout the song?

[@wainwright3]

@grpvn8 This was from August 27th 2011 in LA. Don performed after a new musical called 'The Real Love'. For further info, just Google ' the real love musical' (as you can't post links here).. The full evening was broadcast live on Supreme Master TV and I recorded the webcast and posted an excerpt here. Apparently the whole show will be be rebradcast soon worldwide. I warn you that Don only appears fror 50 minutes and that is after a long and tedious 4 hour musical.

[@MissSunny1966]

Now I'm curious as to why this song has such a big impact in her...

[@jacquismith3277]

Yes, I am too. I just imagine her experiences every time I hear Empty Chairs and Killing Me Softly . . .

[@camilapratt9623]

She said she was heartbroken was 19 and ene to listen to him

[@AngelAndTheWolf]

Who the Hell is the woman polluting the video in the upper left corner? Is there not a video of this performance without her>?

[@omarnoah]

a photobomber :-)

[@williamjordan5554]

This probably started out as someone's reaction video. Somebody else hijacked it and turned her sound down.

[@TheLotussong]

❤

[@sachindraroybardhan1101]

Plays the guitar pianitically.

[@ernestschroeder9762]

Love this song but can't help myself when it comes to the line "never knew how much I needed you " I always think the next line should be "until I had to pay the rent ", doesn't help that it rhymes.

[@huntervalleyhinterlands]

"I feel the trembling tingle of a sleepless night..." *oooft*

[@rtm9527]

That "inserted woman" in the upper left video is just IRRITATING!

[@roxiogn2782]

Yes....very irritating...!!!

[@johnbernstein7887]

@@roxiogn2782 It allows "fair use" or you tube would pull it.

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

@@johnbernstein7887 why dont all videos have to have it then?

[@Drew0118]

No it said norman gimbel was inspired by lori lieberman's poem about this song

[@radberryjam210]

This performance was part of a charity concert and a musical called "The Real Love" - which was inspired by the life and poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai, the person in the inset. She is a spiritual teacher, humanitarian, and poet. He was invited to perform, and expressed that he was honored to know she adores him and his music.

[@grpvn8]

This is great. Where was this?? This year??

[@tonyvaradaraj1424]

Bears more than a passing resemblance to “Vincent”.

[@infoartistjkmat308]

The music yes, but it's about the poignant lyrics, lyrics, lyrics!

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

@@infoartistjkmat308 so if you change the lyrics but keep the same keys etc its a different song? Sounds like Vincent - end of!

[@MickTheQuickk]

Lori Lieberman got cheated out of a writer's credit for Killing Me Softly.

[@jimmydeats9901]

Tingles!!

[@philcollins3290]

John Lennon the Einstein of music

[@simon9264]

it was actually written by Lori Liberman, Not gimble and fox. They were taken to court and admitted it

[@王博-t3p]

hi

[@captlanc]

He sounds the same but older

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

What????? How can you sound the same, (as you did years ago) when you sound older?

[@MrLeo0857]

希望~ 只是希望 :) 每晚都夢到您

[@AWD265]

I wonder why Don McLean never made an effort to meet Lori Lieberman. Not that she made him famous or he owed her anything but that a poem was written as a result of her being inspired by a song of his. The poem was put to music - the result "Killing me softly".

[@amusedbutinformed]

Actually her role in the song has been well known since the 1980s. She was a kid trying to make it, Fox and Gimble told her what to say and her inspiration for the final version of the song was the subject of at least one story in a national newspaper in the 1970s. The McLean inspiration was well-known long before the Fugees covered the song. This "controversy" is long-since dead and buried, despite the likes ofe Naren Talese, to add their uninformed prattle.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

What are you talking about? You write like you're commenting on a story that everyone knows the content.

[@karrezza]

Who is the lady in the inset?

[@radberryjam210]

@karrezza This performance was part of a charity concert and a musical called "The Real Love" - which was inspired by the life and poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai, the person in the inset. She is a spiritual teacher, humanitarian, and poet.

[@Thatsanicesunrise]

" Fat, drunk and citing wikipedia is no way to go through life, son.- genius i cant help but smile as i re read it fat and drunk as i am!!

[@amusedbutinformed]

So what was the book?

[@michaelledo2819]

Wow Don, thank you for enlightening us about Lori, I never knew that was her song "killing me softly" and I guess Roberta Flack ripped her song off somehow so many years ago but Lori was the original but now I know.

[@nytimesguy]

Flack didn't "rip it off," she just covered it. She heard Lori's version and thought it was a great song so she recorded it. Lori's own version just wasn't as successful.

[@keithshiv]

@@nytimesguy Song writers back then often used singers like Lori to demo a song and then send it off to major artists to option. Helen Reddy has said she was sent the song, but "the demo... sat on my turntable for months without being played because I didn't like the title"

[@selwyntarawa6549]

needed to appreciate i guess

[@heather5726]

Just love this version of his song. Hit my heart so deeply. I wish a woman on the top corner of the screen disappears, please! Can't stand the distraction. From South Korea.

[@oldnewbie47]

Who on earth is the woman that is constantly being put in the upper left of the screen?? Very annoying!! Lori is out in the audience!!

[@relwick3491]

Photobomb.

[@iVenge]

she is Ning Nam... pidipino lady... always sticking her nose into things she has nothing to do with... yes, very annoying.

[@philippinepalestra]

R Elwick Videobomb, you mean. :-p

[@axil157]

She was supposed to be Signing for the hearing impaired, but then realized “why the fuck are deaf people watching a Don McLean concert” and gave up .....

[@mikehoncho9344]

@@axil157 A+

[@srvcoldshot]

Beautiful Beautiful song. But please tune that very expensive guitar 😐

[@REVW196]

Starry Starry night ? ;)

[@psychicviking]

The tune reminds me of Bye Bye Miss American Pie.

[@fritzcat6198]

Who do you mean? Who is “they?”

[@narentalese5240]

What could Fred Bronson know? Go to the source. In this interview, the song's composer Charlie Fox explains the song's origin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIHVnnmKqKxmrg­­U Charlie is as respected as anyone in Hollywood, 50 yrs of memorable music, head of the Academy's music branch, Lori named a son after him. And Norman, an Oscar & Grammy winner, wrote hits before & after Lori (Girl from Ipanema, Sway, Canadian Sunset). What's in it for them to lie? KMS is one song of a hundred. But for Lori 1 of... 1.

[@terryreitner7074]

In the composers memoir "Killing Me Softly", Charles Fox says he & Norman Gimbel wrote the song specifically for Lori. She liked it as it reminded her of an experience at a Don McLean concert. For the Mike Douglas Show, they told her to connect the concert to the song, but it was a fabricated press release. The prolific Fox & Gimbel were at the top of the field then (Their Jim Croce hit "I Got A Name" was a month later). They didn't need any help finding inspiration. Not a poem, not Don McLean.

[@TristanandIsolt]

The problem with this story you recounted is that they admitted Lori and McLean's part prior to changing the story to what you just wrote. Take a look at all the facts. There is zero doubt that Lori is the one telling the truth.

[@Thatsanicesunrise]

really? i wonder why

[@williamjordan5554]

Bye, bye, Miss American Pie..... There's a story behind that too.

[@kibbleforbyron1372]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIHVnnmKqKxmrrc At the 7 minute point of the above interview, Composer Charles Fox discusses how he and Norman Gimbel wrote "Killing Me Softly".