First Time Hearing Roberta Flack "Killing Me Softly With His Song" Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@victorcowboywest]

Lori Leiberman was the original singer(1972) she also co-wrote with Charles Ira Fox and Norman Gimbel. Roberta released her version 1973. It was recorded by Johnny Mathis and Perry Como also 1973 and by the Fugees 1996 .

[@jolenewitzel7919]

This song is wonderful but my favorite of hers and to me the greatest love song is First Time I Ever Saw Your Face. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@Eowyn187]

Omg!!!!

[@maryannturton9830]

Oh yes,a masterpiece! Takes your soul to such a pure place..🎙😫

[@penname5766]

Yes, great song. And just to split hairs, I think the title is “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in that order 😉 😂

[@MrRandyv]

Two of my favorites, of hers, are both off the Chapter Two album; “Do What You Gotta Do” and “ Reverend Lee”.

[@gerardarrillaga7450]

Same here

[@scottwachter6128]

If you’d like to hear another fantastic Roberta Flack song, check out “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,”

[@wgdavis5353]

I agree whole heartily.. ♠W.G.

[@richardfox1605]

great song the original by Peter, Paul and Mary was a lil better imo but it's a matter of taste

[@christineobrien7707]

That's one of the most romantic& beautiful songs I've ever heard!👍

[@kimlong-sf9ke]

Mary Magdalines' song to Jesus.

[@skinsdan6831]

This song is a true masterpiece and sang so gorgeously 😍

[@rk41gator]

What an ARTIST! No auto tune. Live. Roberta Flack is special talent. Oh, and a classically trained pianist.

[@viacrucis2509]

Roberta Flack is tragically forgotten, but one of the best voices of the 70’s. I absolutely love her!

[@personalcheeses8073]

Forgotten by who exactly? Not by fans of raw talents

[@viacrucis2509]

I agree, unfortunately I rarely hear her name when lists of female singers come up. In music of that era, her name should never be omitted, ever.

[@ashashraa6579]

@@viacrucis2509 Forgotten might be a little bit too far. Underrated is the word to describe Roberta Flack. Vocally speaking, she's in the same league as Aretha, Dionne, Barbra, etc.

[@caryriggs5719]

Her voice and phrasing enters your soul. Few singers have that gift. Once that happens you can't forget her. I celebrate her.

[@personalcheeses8073]

Stop already! Roberta Flack has never been forgotten

[@stacymoore9836]

This song came out in 1972 when I was 11 years old. I’m 60 almost 61 and adore this song until this very day 🤗💗💕. She did beautiful duets with Donny Hathaway who unfortunately past away in the 80’s. You’d love to react to them I’m sure of it. Their songs were beautiful.

[@Dooklawz]

oh lord, her voice... ..... cleans my eyes out every time. I'm instantly transported back in time every time I hear this.... love Roberta so much :)

[@viacrucis2509]

Me too on the exact time line.

[@michaelasay8587]

I'm 59 and agree...hope u like Karen Carpenter!

[@stacymoore9836]

@@michaelasay8587 I love them being the Carpenters. I have their double album 1968-71

[@stacymoore9836]

@@michaelasay8587 I love them being the Carpenters. I have their double album 1968-71

[@tx_1]

She sings so effortlessly and it's flawless.

[@deanhills6745]

Roberta is the most underrated singer of all time. Her "the first time ever I saw your face " is the greatest love song ever. Asia, you'll get those goose bumps again.

[@boosuedon]

Robertas' voice was so "pure" and perfect for this song. No vocal acrobatics, just true to the melody and lyric. Not many singers have the self confidence to pull this off!

[@E.Kim_Style]

Asia & BJ, It wasn`t Roberta Flack that heard Don McLean. It was a young singer in 1971 Lori Lieberman that heard Don McLean sing live...a song called "Empty Chairs". That was the inspiration for "Killing Me Softly". Roberta Flack re-recorded it in 1973 and the rest is history.

[@daz_n]

Empty Chairs is such a beautiful sad song... It's easy to see why he inspired this song.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

The actual full story is that the Rights to the song were claimed by Lori Lieberman's managers, after she came to them with lyrics after attending the Don McClean concert. She was a newbie, no real success. They took her lyrics, tweaked them, put it to music, claimed authorship, and then earned all the royalties from Roberta's huge cover hit.

[@rafhenlow]

That is what makes some songs more meaningful, knowing how they came about!

[@daz_n]

@@MoMoMyPup10 The story makes for an interesting read. They tried to sue Don Mclean for continuing to say he inspired the song until he produced written proof from 1973. They sound like scumbags.

[@Kamittoo]

The song is originally by Lori lieberman and written by Charles Fox after hearing Don McLean sing "two chairs" she jotted down words and Charles wrote song

[@lesliemeola8209]

The First Time Ever I saw Your Face ...hands down one of the best love songs ever !

[@SearlesHernandez]

It was Don Mclean who inspired the song, However, it wasn't Roberta Flack. It was Lori Lieberman who wrote the lyrics and had the first recording.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Yeah and Roberta heard it on an airplane and instantly wanted to record it.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

But the actual full story is that the Rights to the song were claimed by Lori Lieberman's managers, after she came to them with lyrics after attending a Don McClean concert. She was a newbie, no real success. They took her lyrics, tweaked them, put it to music, claimed authorship, and then earned all the royalties from Roberta's huge cover hit.

[@Otokichi786]

Lori Lieberman in 1975: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKS2kIhvf76lesU

[@ryanhill8886]

... heard that too and it seemed to make sense. But wasn't that debunked at some point ????

[@flutesong5527]

Oh, if there was ever a song about how much music can mean in one's life, along with American Pie, you've hit the jackpot today

[@E.Kim_Style]

That was like a cool studio session jam. This should end any discussion of who sings this song best. Roberta Flack is the Queen of this song. The end. :)

[@kenlangston3451]

The Fugees version in the 90’s is also great. Lauryn Hill can give Roberta Flack a run for her money.

[@1calvinfunny1]

@@kenlangston3451 They destroyed this song...

[@E.Kim_Style]

@@1calvinfunny1 Exactly. The song is called "Killing Me Softly" for good reason. A "soft" cool slow song. Not a sped-up hip hop song in any sense.

[@Culacho_Kid]

No one can do this song justice but Roberta Flack..

[@mlhesler68]

Written after attending a Don McClean concert and Roberta Flack recorded it and had back to back Song of the Year.

[@rafhenlow]

Written by Lori lieberman after being at a concert by Do McLean

[@s.mcpherson6354]

She is so smooth, with that unique phrasing. She never seems to start singing anything. It's like sound just appears somehow. Her breathing is almost completely hidden in her singing.

[@lazaruslong8092]

Saw her in concert in college. As you can see, she is one of those where live performance is as good or better than studio, as you can see the emotion in the performance. HIGHLY recommend The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, which I think is even better.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Her voice is equal or better, but the Live arrangement leaves something to be desired here.

[@TheJackieo2006]

Lori Lieberman wrote this song and recorded it in 1972. she saw Don McLean perform American Pie and was inspired to write it. Ms Flack heard it and asked to cover it. She had a hit on her hands.

[@TheJackieo2006]

Correction She heard Don McLean perform “Empty Chairs”.

[@patrickmurchison9145]

I like Roberta's version the most. The song was composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman who was first to record/release the song in 1972, but it did not chart. Lieberman was the one that was inspired at a 1971 Don McLean (famous for the song "American Pie") concert. Roberta won the 1974 Grammy for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

[@rudyvillela4489]

I love when singers actually sung! Trained their voices to inflect the mood… make you cry, hurt, laugh, and think!!! “ The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and Where Is The Love,” are two others to listen to!

[@daddyguerrero]

This song always brings tears to my eyes but to see her sing it live just touches your soul.

[@donbelenger817]

I was a teenage boy into rock and roll but this lady and her voice was fantastic...great song too!!

[@timmistorey5989]

There's something beautiful about sitting and watching and listening to a singer just song in all her natural beauty , no nakedness needed. She is just perfect

[@Eowyn187]

My God that woman's voice!! How blessed I was, that hers was one of the first female voices I ever heard.

[@martinstubbs7974]

The first time ever I saw your face is stunning and really showcases her amazingly beautiful voice.

[@richardfox1605]

actually the song was written by Norman Gimbel, Charles Fox and Laurie Lieberman and originally recorded by her a year later Roberta Flack recorded it and made it the massive hit it deservedly is for the last 50 years

[@jesrush]

I love Roberta! Her voice is angelic!!💜💜💜

[@BoxerRick]

I loved her voice, just silky and very breathy and earthy. Just natural talent. Loved this and love yall

[@musik102]

Of course, this isn't a love song, it's simply a response to hearing a singer whose words deeply effected the listener. Nice concept for a song BUT Roberta's rendition of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is on a different- much higher plane. And, her live version - BBC early 70s? - is just out of this world.

[@xiurong888]

Always loved her voice. I was 19 going on 20 when she released her cover of this in 1973. The guy is killing the triangle part! Being a percussionist myself for almost 60 years, I listen for those type of things. :-)

[@Marco-ns7ih]

It seems that there is some story that many people believe: "Roberta Flack visited a concert by Don McLean and then she wrote the song Killing me softly about her experience. So Roberta's version is the original." This is not true. Singer/songwriter Lori Lieberman visited a Don McLean performance and she wrote a poem about her experience. The lyrics of Killing me softly are based on her poem, so she is the co-writer. Lori is the one who sang the original version, one year before Roberta. Roberta heard Lori's beautiful song and she covered it. Nothing wrong with Roberta's rendition. It is indeed a good version. But it is just a cover.

[@BabyGirl18069]

It’s been a while since I’ve heard Roberta Flack. The clarity of her voice is amazing. This was a favorite of mine.

[@marthaz]

Now that you get the legendary status of her voice, you got to hear, "the first time ever I saw your face" 👍💕 you pegged it - jazz soul. Love you two 💕

[@1SECRETBILLY]

You two are such a nice couple. Asia is so expressive with her facial reactions that shows her absorbing the fullness of the songs.

[@mikehigbee4754]

She was so good in person the fact she is so pretty but the clarity and softness of her voice held you right on the edge of your seat! The emotion in her voice is just amazing

[@JAMESMOORE-gq4vv]

Pureness of the original, nice.

[@LadyGator1983]

Y’all are doing it! Roberta Flack

[@surlechapeau]

Asia/BJ, other #1 hits from Roberta ""The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Feel Like Makin' Love". Also a duet with Donny Hathaway hit #5 "Where Is The Love".

[@raymcarthur3870]

She can sing me anything, a legend!

[@sandrar6063]

Her beautiful voice always puts chills thru my body. Just lovely.

[@williamjamesrapp7356]

***I LOVE THIS SONG SUNG BY HER*** Roberta Flack Killing Me Softly takes me back to my childhood in the late 60's early 70's. Love this song.

[@jaemyrick5277]

I been a long time fan as a teen back in the 1970's. Roberta's vocals on this track is angelic. One of my all time favorites by her.❤️❤️❤️🎤🎶🎶🎶

[@usmcrn4418]

Wow.. first time I've heard her live version.. absolutely incredible!!! I miss talent like that in modern music.

[@suebree96]

One of my favorite singer song writers along with Carol King... one of my favorite songs... as a child of the 70’s I grew up listening to Roberta Flack, Dionne Warwick, Carol King, Linda Ronstamdt all of my moms favorites that became mine... the first time ever I saw your face has always been my favorite Roberta Flack songs, wedding song

[@vegasbaby3669]

She was the first person in Grammy history to win “Record of the Year” in back-to-back years. First in 1973 for “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face”, then the very next year 1974, for this song “Killing Me Softly”. She remains the only woman in Grammy History to achieve this. And if I am not mistaken, she also remains the only person of color to achieve this feat. Unless Bruno Mars did it, but I don’t remember if Bruno Mars “Record of the Year” wins are back-to-back. If memory serves, he won one year, then Adele one the next year, then Bruno won it again.

[@cptight88]

Billie Eilish just did it in 2019 and 2020.

[@vegasbaby3669]

@@cptight88 - Ahhh ok. Thanks for that note.

[@TheDesertRoseRanch]

Her voice has such a unique character; just beautiful.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

MUST HEAR CLASSICS,, ROBERTA FLACK "THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE" & "FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE"

[@sgt.blkdog3840]

I’m echoing what others have said…. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Her studio performance may be the most romantic song ever recorded

[@alexanderromalo7153]

This woman makes sublime musicality and intonation look so f****n' easy, if only. Beautiful, more Roberta. Please.

[@maryannprzybycien2013]

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is another amazing song by her. ❤️

[@patty7beth]

Listen to "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." So beautiful.

[@raymondreid4987]

Roberta Flack what a beautiful woman with an amazing voice when this first came out I just thought she touch my soul and I felt her pain.

[@Ralphk-zz3we]

Love Roberta Flacks voice,So soulful and beautiful

[@andrewcormier529]

Good reaction guys great song loved roberta funny story original song was written by a white lady named Laurie Lieberman and Laurie Lieberman wrote this song after going and listening to Don mcclain at a concert the same guy you heard the other night sing American pie, killing me softly with his words killing me softly with his song telling my whole life and Roberta Flack heard laurie's version on an airplane and decided she was gonna record it and she made it it's gigantic hit that it is today Keep spreading the music guys God bless

[@gerardroll6468]

A true soul/ R & B classic if ever there was one ✊️😄 Alip Ba Ta also performs a stunning, heartfelt instrumental version of this on the acoustic guitar 👍😁

[@SearlesHernandez]

Roberta was the 2nd recording but is my favorite. The first was released by Lori Lieberman who helped write it.

[@alfrednaify1683]

Roberta Flack had such a beautiful voice. Some of her best songs was her with Donny Hathaway such as "The Closer I Get To You" and "Where Is The Love" in 1972. Luthor Vandross was a background singer for her on these songs in 1972 when he was 21 years old.

[@boki1693]

The tone in her voice. I was always amazed she never became a bigger star. Never saw this live version before and it's haunting! it's like she is slowly dying in misery and loving every minute of it.

[@venetianlucifer]

Roberta Flack is unparalleled. Of all my favorite soul/R&B singers, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Etta James, Gladys Knight, Lauryn Hill, Marry J. Blige, Roberta's voice, her soul, her depth, how she carries herself, she stands apart from everyone else. Well, maybe Gladys Knight too.

[@joepowell7025]

It's actually not the original. It was First sung by Lori Lieberman a year earlier in 1972 and Roberta Flack covered it in 1973. Roberta's version became a number 1 hit and earned her a grammy.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

But the actual full story is that the Rights to the song were claimed by Lori Lieberman's managers, after she came to them with lyrics after attending a Don McClean concert. She was a newbie, no real success. They took her lyrics, tweaked them, put it to music, claimed authorship, and then earned all the royalties from Roberta's huge cover hit.

[@jackbutler2989]

Pure class Roberta Flack has a voice like velvet pure GOAT....

[@Eowyn187]

It's so evident how you both were loving this. What a wonderful reaction. Tysm. You have GOT to hear her with Donny Hathaway!!

[@AlamoDame7]

The Don McClean connection, according to Wiki: "Killing Me Softly with His Song - how Roberta Flack made the track into a worldwide hit. The story goes that in November 1971, 20-year-old musician Lori Lieberman saw folk singer Don McLean in concert at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.Feb 1, 2021"

[@christinefox9075]

Asia...your reaction. In a trance . I love Roberta. 70s music, nothing else compares

[@jennhurl]

Her voice is just sooooo beautiful!

[@vivianphillips8519]

You should hear her sing "Don't Make Me Over." Beautiful voice

[@Ramona57-TX]

Roberta has been one of my favorite singers for decades.

[@t.r.1708]

Her voice has such a soothing timbre! Thx!

[@raymondreid4987]

This queen had such great musicians behind her, she just let each of them shine to give us her music and herself such a graceful piano player.

[@davidkeller6718]

One of my favorite singers. This song is heart felt.

[@klr4729]

Simply marvelous! Roberta sang with perfection... thank you for posting & getting her voice out there..

[@victoriawoods3898]

OMG, that was my first time ever seeing that live performance. Roberta Flack has one of the great pure voices ever. You must react to next, THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE, the song is exquisite. There's also TONIGHT I CELEBRATE MY LOVE, THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU, WHERE IS THE LOVE with the GREAT Donny Hathaway etc. A rabbit hole indeed.

[@bethhowton2719]

Roberta Flack was the first concert my older sister went to, I was jealous. Love her voice. Enjoy

[@teeyoung2619]

Probably the best song, ever sung...

[@goodgoat3096]

The chimes and other instruments created a soft frame which showcased Roberta's melodic, pitch perfect, and powerful voice which she puts forth effortlessly. It was SO good to here this song again.

[@saraheart2804]

I love Roberta. She sings from the soul. Goosebumps.

[@ladonnadavis8710]

First time ever I saw your face! Give it a listen

[@jimkofron8638]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

[@ScottPothan]

I still have the sheet music for this and The First Time I saw Your Face from 1972 when I first learned to play it in the piano. Roberta is on the cover in her fabulous Afro.

[@edjasper92]

Her song, The First Time, Ever I Saw Your Face, was another classic.

[@dmCurator]

I loved watching Asia tune into what was going on musically with the band. That was some mighty fine playing. I wrote this comment before I heard what she had to say.

[@dw7244]

One of my fav’s. Roberta Flack was underrated, in my opinion. Absolutely beautiful voice.

[@Marco-ns7ih]

I don't think she was underrated. She even receives credit for her covers ("Killing me softly" and "The first time ever I saw your face") instead of the songwriters and the original artists.

[@mecklenburggovan7311]

Roberta is the gem and her angelic voice moves me❤

[@skinsdan6831]

Just like the comment below says,the first time ever i saw your face is sublime,the one and only Roberta Flack with one of the most pleasant and naturally beautiful voices in music in any genre,a masterpiece of a tune,and you have to hold hands if you react to this song without shedding some tears lol❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@unclebobunclebob]

The "He" in this song is written about the singer Don McLean. Influenced by its original singer, Lori Lieberman....Not Roberta (although she KILLS it). It is actually written by two men, Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel.

[@danielkesselring9172]

Beautiful woman with a angelic voice.. I thank heavens I was born when music was excellent ❤️

[@donnaduhamel6004]

She is so great......I was 20 when I 1st heard her..I am 68..shes the ONE Xxxxxxxx

[@danaberman6929]

Her voice is beautiful. Pure talent. I remember hearing this as a kid on the radio...

[@nathans3241]

Nowadays we rarely are treated to such talent from artists like Roberta Flack. The music from my youth is better than what's being recorded and played these days, generally speaking. Such beautiful music and I still have a crush on Roberta.

[@butchkerley]

Roberta Flack is one of the greatest singers of my lifetime - Her version of Bridge Over Troubled Waters is IMO one of the Greatest songs ever and of course The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is a timeless classic too

[@MoMoMyPup10]

The actual story is that the Rights to the song were claimed by Lori Lieberman's managers, after she came to them with lyrics after attending a Don McClean concert. She was a newbie, no real success. They took her lyrics, tweaked them, put it to music, claimed authorship, and then earned all the royalties from Roberta's huge cover hit.

[@christinewaide5249]

That voice! 💕 This reminds me of being a kid.

[@willfromyadkinville]

Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway back together again was a jam!

[@cindyhardy915]

She has such a beautiful voice.

[@scottvanhille5688]

This music is purely raw and organic. Great performance.

[@LiloFunk68]

She has so much great music. Her music often has a great balance between vocals and instrumentation which is hard to find now. Check out her versions of "Ballad of the Sad Young Men" and "Reverend Lee". She has so much control in her voice, never screaming or straining. A lot of the musicians with whom she worked were also jazz musicians.

[@trevorholden7423]

Whatever microphone she is using (looks like a Shure) is totally brilliant picking up her voice excellently from quite a distance...

[@jono8884]

Such a powerful full of control voice.

[@gerib4234]

You found a gem! I've always loved this song. It's perfect in every way ❤️ This video is a treat but you need to check out the studio version. Also "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is definitely worth your time!

[@joelliebler5690]

Roberta has a majestic way and pureness about her style!

[@sealdrup]

This song won the 1974 Grammy for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

[@jimough2441]

Another great review of a wonderful artist! Love to see a couple of more 4th Impact reactions? " Our Love " or the "prayer " would be great!