FIRST TIME HEARING Roberta Flack - Killing ME Softly With His Song REACTION

[@RobSquadReactions]

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[@cylentkills]

Listen to the Fugee's version please

[@timgerke8714]

$10 for a box of cereal? Ummmm...no thanks. Rich people will buy it though. 😁

[@StevesFunhouse]

You need to hear her song, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face ... it's so sweet. It'll make you cry it's sooooo good. It's similar to this one in that she's describing someone who has affected her deeply, and I love it deeply, with my soul !!! Here's a link ... (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKK6XpiFaM-HjLc ). It was used in the movie, Play Misty For Me with Clint Eastwood, Donna Mills and Jessica Walters, and it gutted me, then and ever since.

[@PlumbPitiful]

So you guys got a sponsor huh? Congratulations!

[@dmidammit9275]

I wonder whose version you like better for this song. Roberta, AL B. Sure, or the Fugees. Each has a different style on the same song.

[@GaryGent-e4v]

A singer/ songwriter writer, Lori Lieberman, was asked by a friend to come and see this singer she had been hearing about. She was so moved by the man’s performance that she went home and started writing this song, later finishing it with two collaborators. Lori recorded the song, and Roberta Flack heard it played while on a plane flight, and knew she had to record her own version. The singer Lori Lieberman wrote the song about was someone you have reacted to on your show, Don McLean

[@marshabailey1121]

And the singer was Don McLean, who was WONDERFUL in concert. I got to see him a few times back in the day, when both of us were young. Just a few years after his American Pie superhit.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

And her 'collaborators' took sole credit for the song and she never made a penny off of it

[@scotttrammell3913]

To me the Late Roberta Flack was an underappreciated vocalist.

[@unseelie63]

She's still alive! Quite elderly and no longer performing,but still with us :)

[@scotttrammell3913]

@@unseelie63 Oh, my mistake, so sorry.

[@Scurvous]

@@scotttrammell3913 You might be thinking about when the news broke of her retirement due to illness. She announced a chronic conditions that keeps her from performing.

[@scotttrammell3913]

@@Scurvous Possibly.

[@abelincoln3287]

Roberta Flack is a beautiful and very intelligent singer, songwriter and pianist. Her style and voice is one of a kind.

[@Shrykespeare]

The former president knows what he's talking about.

[@drwalker6517]

But she did not write this song. She wasn’t the original artist to release it either.

[@jamesbolton9752]

@@drwalker6517 believe it was Lori Lieberman. Sorry if I misspelled her name.

[@surlechapeau]

@@jamesbolton9752 yes it was Lori who released it first, wrote it after by seeing artist Don McClean. But Norman Gimbel claims otherwise.

[@scottlaughlin9897]

@@drwalker6517 so what does that have to do with her being a songwriter? He didn’t claim that she wrote this one.

[@unclefrank4455]

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" always melts my heart and is one of her greatest songs!

[@lisamcbride6678]

Was gonna say this very thing. I would love to suggest to them that they react to it, but I don’t know how/ where to post that.

[@1177kc]

Yes!!!!

[@worthingSarah]

spoiled for me when I realised he sang it down the phone to Peggy Seeger while he was married to someone else

[@skiersnlv]

My favorite song by her for sure. Reminds me of growing up in the 70's.

[@StudyMonster]

OMG yes! That one makes me cry every time I hear it!

[@ProdigyBowlersTour]

I cannot believe after all this time, you still have never done a reaction video to Roberta Flack's breakout hit, and quite possibly the most beautiful song ever written: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."

[@stuarthazard3162]

No, he's not serenading her. She's hearing her life in his song even though he doesn't know she's there. Its about the universality of music!!!

[@kayelle8005]

Yes. About her experience hearing Don McLean sing. That he could give voice to parts of her life and her experience as if he knew her intimately when she was just another person in the crowd.

[@davidrosoff3228]

Exactly!

[@juliacrabtree5198]

Yes😊 We, who heard it first, understand the context😢

[@GoingFullRetarded]

Fkn THANK YOU a year later 😂

[@marycourtier2435]

Ys! Thank you. He wasn't getting it, even though the lyrics are clear.

[@LisFayte]

Another song by Roberta you should listen to is First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Listen to the studio version as the live version isn’t as impactful. Love you guys!

[@RicoBurghFan]

Oh absolutely do this. One of prettiest and moving love songs ever.

[@elaine8013]

YES!!! You have got to hear this one. I honestly think it's the best love song ever.

[@MustardSeedish]

Goosebumps every single time. Yes, they need to hear it.

[@chrisneeley8253]

Yes 👍

[@galvinklatt5273]

YES!!! 💜✌️

[@paulwagner2089]

I was lucky enough to see Roberta Flack before she became famous. Small place in D.C. She's beautiful.

[@dorisdayfan1]

Roberta Flack’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded .

[@christineobrien7707]

My eyes tear up whenever I hear it.Her voice is so pure, and strong

[@MrSoonerCal]

@@christineobrien7707 “…I felt your heart, so close to mine…” (Gets me every time!)

[@christineobrien7707]

@@MrSoonerCal Not only is it a great lyric, but her mind blowing, beautiful voice grabs us and doesn't let go.😎👍

[@MrSoonerCal]

@@christineobrien7707 🎯

[@BigRaji1981]

That's actually my favorite song by my cousin Roberta Flack.

[@janislohman8125]

ONLY Roberta flack can sing this song ....best singer hardly ever mentioned....

[@bobaer3885]

Nothing comes close to the original by Lory Lieberman

[@BigRaji1981]

Roberta Flack is my cousin

[@TristanandIsolt]

Roberta Flack did the best version of this, but only slightly better than the original artist Lori lieberman who also played a huge part in writing it despite not getting any song writing credit due to the sleazy cowriters Gimbel and Fox.

[@BigRaji1981]

@@TristanandIsolt facts. My cousin Roberta did the best version and is definitely underrated as a singer and performer but Lori was also amazing.

[@TristanandIsolt]

@@BigRaji1981 Lori's version should have been a hit. Somebody really dropped the ball on that, but no doubt your cousin did it best.

[@nedeast6845]

Thank you for doing the Roberta Flack version...the day the Fugees did it, was the day the music died....:(

[@michallowenstein2329]

No guys. He's not serenading her. Read the lyrics. This stranger was singing about her life, revealing all the darkness and pain. She wanted him to stop singing because she felt the whole audience there KNEW! Roberta Flack was amazing. I saw her in concert back in the 70's and she performed this song. Try listening to First time Ever I saw Your Face by Roberta Flack. Beautiful!!

[@mickdenis6630]

Roberta Flack was the first artist to win the Grammy for Record of the Year, two consecutive years running The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (73) & Killing Me Softly (74). It was accomplished by U2 in 2001 & 2002, and recently by Billie Eillish. Both of Roberta's song also took Song of the Year. The song Killing Me Softly was covered by the Fugees (with Lauryn Hill) in 1996.

[@tonyafritchen1192]

Love this as well as Lauryn Hills version

[@dano4518]

OMG..I love her. I love this song, but her best song is “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” It’s A level above this.

[@chrispopejoy6652]

Has me in tears every time I hear it. To this day.

[@jessieball6195]

I don't agree. I like this song a lot better than "The First Time".

[@barblessable]

EWAN McCOLL WROTE , First time ever I saw your face,.

[@alecffernandez5556]

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face! I'm just adding my voice to the large chorus who have suggested that beautiful song!

[@colibri1]

Like others are saying, other great radio hits by Roberta Flack are "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (1972), "Where is the Love?" (1972, with Donny Hathaway), and "The Closer I Get to You" (1977, with Donny Hathaway). The Fugees' hiphop-ish 1996 cover of this 1973 song is also great.

[@kelperdude]

First Time Ever I Saw Your Face....that should have been your introduction into Roberta Flack's talent It's amazing.

[@UncleQue]

Two duets she did with Donny Hathaway are definitely musts for you two. “Where is The Love” and “ The Closer I Get to You”.

[@lisacox3750]

Those are my favorites!!!!

[@MrSnout5]

Also 'Back Together Again.'

[@dontworrybehappy8080]

F'n RF!!! Do not forget this woman, musician, story teller, icon, diva, etc.....

[@terryhughes7349]

Roberta is one of the most beautiful voices in the world.

[@robinbeitler9392]

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is my ultimate favorite of Ms. Flack, it's absolutely beautiful. give it a listen.

[@mikebunch3189]

one of the best songs ever recorded .....

[@LoveBandit1000]

Her voice is so crystal clear it makes bells jealous...

[@gorski989]

This sentence is the one I have been looking for to describe Roberta's voice. 💙

[@TheToscanaMan]

A major #1 hit for Roberta Flack in 1973, this song by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel was (apparently) based upon a poem written by singer Lieberman after having been entranced by a live Don McLean performance of the song “Empty Chairs.” kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGKZf3iBbaygqck

[@jerryb1439]

Roberta Flack really owns the song, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". Her voice is incredible.

[@Tank4Life]

Oh Roberta Flack, a voice sent from heaven. This song takes you on a journey. Its so well written and performed.

[@scumonkey]

I was fortunate enough to see Roberta live in the early eighties... alone on stage with just a piano- she SLAYED!!!

[@Perfect_Blend]

The writer of this song had gone to a Don McLean concert and wrote it about him. Roberta recorded it and made it into a superb, beautiful, wistful sounding version.

[@SA-hf3fu]

Rob, you’re right. Lori Lieberman is confessing to feeling so vulnerable to the lyrics while attending a Don McLean concert in 1971. I love this. It’s so real and so raw.

[@theophilussparks5839]

Sad part is Lori's rendition is very good. But Roberta is the standard

[@gl2996]

@@theophilussparks5839 Roberta pretty much sings it the way she sang it. As you said, it's sad that it was't a success for her. Still, Roberta Flack is just so good. She was a music prodigy, became a music teacher, and later began doing gigs in the evenings at a local club. As an adult, she didn't do anything badly.

[@Marco-ns7ih]

@@theophilussparks5839 Maybe Roberta's version is the standard but only because all those people here who can find KZbin cannot find Wikipedia (or don't care).

[@paulmargett9360]

You must also react to her song "First time ever I saw your face" sheer beauty. Much love from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@donjenkins3861]

This is a cover of Lori Lieberman's song, which she wrote after hearing Don McClean in concert.

[@pamh2697]

Did not know!

[@johngravett4638]

I was about to say the same, that this was written about Don McClean 😊👍🏻

[@mditt7]

yep I can verify this. So spot on about early Don Mclean. He was one powerful poetic singer songwriter.

[@loumelillo1790]

Now I remember!

[@JAMESMOORE-gq4vv]

To me it's not a cover when you make it famous, and I don't think of Don McClean when I hear it.

[@cherylbrooks7005]

This song touches everyone who has felt this way when music literally touches your soul.

[@barbarapacker5722]

He isn't serenading her. He is signing about trials and heartbreak and she is uncomfortable because she feels he is describing her experiences so intimately that she wonders if everyone else "realizes" he is singing about her secrets. Meanwhile, the singer just continues to entertain, oblivious of her. The Killing me softly is how she is reliving the pain he is singing about.

[@brettcurtis5710]

apparently written about Don McLean!

[@kevincooper2317]

“First Time I Ever I Saw Your Face” was a song at my wedding. Great song by Ms. Flack

[@jeffshort3454]

Song is about Going to see Don Mclean. Lori Liebermann saw Don McLean in concert at the Troubadour Theatre in Los Angeles, she said she was overwhelmed by the experience and wrote a poem to express how she felt.

[@gino88]

I describe Roberta this way... If I am ever sick...its Roberta Flack's voice I want taking care of me. There are about 10 songs by her you need to react to.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

Roberta Flack "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"...A MUST HEAR Classic.

[@simonatkinson6389]

The Fugee's did a cover version of this song in the mid 1990's and it's a beautiful version. Lauren Hill's voice was perfect for it.

[@suzannejane1035]

I prefer Lauren's version but esp that whole album and Ex Factor.

[@jerrytuttle1699]

No they not they did a remix for biggie smalls

[@sw-gc3ju]

Yes! It's my favorite cover of this song

[@ghmonroe9872]

Roberta Flack massages your soul with her voice.

[@brendaanduze5950]

Donny Hathaway - A Song For You tHIS GENTLEMAN SINGS A FEW SONGS WITH ROBERTA FLACK. AWESOME, MAGICAL AND TOUCHING ALWAYS.

[@bkmur4713]

Roberta’s voice is butter. Soft, creamy, and delicious.

[@RSimoes10]

This version of this song is one of the most beautiful things ever recorded. Roberta Flack, what a legend.

[@melissadambro8873]

She is amazing! As another commenter noted, "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" is SO beautiful!! : - )

[@markweiss9178]

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is astonishingly beautiful. Roberta Flack always lowered my blood pressure. Pop R&B royalty. She was awarded the 2020 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Won the 1973 Grammy Record of the Year for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.

[@carmenmonroe7]

"Set the Night to Music", Roberta Flack and Maxi Priest ❤

[@unclebobunclebob]

Written about Don McLean...you know, the American Pie guy, as described by Lori Lieberman, who sang the original version of this song.

[@drwalker6517]

Lori Lieberman saw Don Mclean at the Troubadour and heard “Empty Chairs”. She felt Don had “opened her journal” with that tune and so on a tear stained napkin she started writing this song. She would finish it with Norman Gimbel and Charlie Fox. You two listened to Don Mclean’s American Pie a few months ago.

[@PlumbPitiful]

How do you know the napkin was tear-stained?

[@charlottemccaig578]

@@PlumbPitiful Because Lori cried throughout the song and used it to wipe her eyes.

[@daz_n]

@@charlottemccaig578 Empty Chairs has that effect on me too... 😭

[@ellab8897]

I knew about Don Mclean’s performance of Empty Chairs inspiring this song, but I always thought Roberta Flack wrote this song. Thanks for the info!

[@cecileluv]

Finally. Been trying to lead you to her talent. Thanks.

[@Siansonea]

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a *phenomenal* song and you will LOVE it.

[@MyXxx77]

Written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbal, the song was inspired by Lori Lieberman's account of seeing Don McClean (American Pie/Vincent) in concert in 1972. Lori Lieberman sang the vocal on the songs first recording.

[@rosenfield10]

When my first son was born, I held him in my arms and sang to him Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Do that one. Her voice is my favorite female voice ever. Keep returning to her.

[@jonhinson5701]

She has another beautiful song with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" from the early seventies. It is absolutely stunning!

[@kimberlinibambini1988]

Y’all HAVE to react to her song “The first time ever I saw your face.” Talk about another beautiful one!! Iconic as well! Great first dance wedding song for the newlywed couples--Sooo beautiful! 💖💙👍✌️

[@loisfreeman1646]

This lady was a great musician. She was awesome.

[@kellystevens5681]

'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' will make you weep, melt and swoon.

[@samuelpajoa215]

"Don McClean" Singer song writer. Was the artist, she was singing about.

[@lumpstersmouse5471]

Written by Lori Lieberman.

[@irenem3854]

The most beautiful voice ever. I forgot how lovely her voice was.

[@ronkrupovich7152]

There are so many gifted female singers. But two stand out for me: Roberta Flack and Karen Carpenter. This song is so amazing...

[@jwmson7791]

Amber I completely agree with how mellow the sound is. That’s what makes it so beautiful to me. And the softness of the background harmonies! Sometimes less really is more. This doesn’t need to be in your face to be great. Roberta Flack has always been one of my favs!! 🎶♥️🎶

[@hwinny2]

Killing Me Softly with His Song" is a song composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman after she was inspired by a Don McLean performance in late 1971.

[@johnryan6088]

Driving home from a night out this song came on the radio . The year was 1973 and I was so blown away that I had to pull over where I just starred at he radio. It was a very emotional moment in my very long life. Few artists have ever done that to me.

[@garyneilson3075]

How cool!

[@Cynthia...]

Oh Roberta had a voice, and what a voice she had, she has so many great songs.

[@oldskool4612]

I remember listening to Roberta as a young teenager. She has the voice of an angel.

[@markmartin3256]

This is a beautiful song and no one else can ever sing it the way she did. Roberta Flack OWNS this song.

[@debbiedavis2499]

This song is about a girl at a concert sitting in the audience & she thinks the artist is singing directly to her. The lyrics are co-author Lori Lieberman's response to seeing a young Don McLean (American Pie) perform, and the resulting feeling that he was singing directly to her about her innermost thoughts and secrets. 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... Listen to it again from that perspective.

[@PRMillette]

What a beautiful voice

[@ashleehughes1194]

Omg, I remember recommending this on the Minnie Riperton video. I knew it would be relaxing for you guys! Definitely one of my favorites. Excited to hear what you listen to next!

[@senorwidebottom]

"First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a Roberta Flack song you will love.

[@AbcDef-iq4no]

Roberta Flack released this amazing song in 1973 at a time when rock and folk dominated the mainstream airwaves, and amidst all of that competition took her rightful place and knocked one out of the ballpark with her stunning, hauntingly beautiful voice, along with her sweet, sweet backup singers.

[@evalehde3869]

What makes this song great is the woman who sings it. An incredible talent!

[@muffinamy83]

This is a perfect song. From the gorgeous (and rather unexpected) chord progressions and arrangement to the confident delivery by Flack. P-e-r-f-e-c-t.

[@veadairavani5692]

I was in third grade, eight years old, and sang this song in front of my classmates at a party. Even at THAT age, I was affected by the beauty of Roberta Flack's voice, and the meaning of the song. She has one of the most beautiful voices and it is effortless.

[@vinman5432]

While "Killing Me Softly with His Song" is great and heart-warming, Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" goes straight to your soul and is amazing.

[@midnittkr]

One of the most beautiful songs ever sung

[@boosuedon]

The inspiration for this song was you a young girl attending a Don McClean show. You know, "Bye-bye Miss American Pie, Drove My Chevy To The Levy..." Yes, THAT Don McClean. I don't remember which song he was singing but it resonated with the young girl and she started writing a poem while he was singing. The girl was Lorie Lieberman who did record this song before Roberta but her version of HER SONG was not received well. This was a huge hit for Roberta Flack!

[@jeffdetmer4681]

Ms. Roberta is quite a woman. She graduated from college at 19. Started studying music in grad school, but after her dad passed she had to take a job teaching music. She had her first big hit with The first time ever I saw your face. Clint Eastwood heard the song and chose to use it in a movie he was doing. The movie was a hit and so was the song. She has had other big hits as well, including a number of duets. Brilliant singer and musician.

[@donnaj1964]

I lover her voice. My favorite is “The first time ever I saw your face”. Amazing!

[@jayakers708]

One of the most beautiful songs ever. So is "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Just kinda touches the soul with something universal and bittersweet...

[@michaeljortner9591]

You should react to her other big hit: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. I think she won Best Pop Vocal at the Grammys two years in a row, like 1971 and72,

[@laurenfelsberg6406]

YOU MUST LISTEN TO : “ The First time ever I saw your Face “ ,,,,, it it the MOST BEAUTIFUL Song in the world by Roberta !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bengilbert7655]

This won the Grammy Record of the Year in 1974 and she had won the award just the year before for "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." She has several duets with Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson. My favorite with Peabo is "Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You."

[@lydmarl.475]

And also Maxi Priest.

[@Fit4FunAna]

I took this song to be that she went to listen to this guy perform, and was “shook!” When his song spoke to all her pain so perfectly that she felt so completely exposed and it was killing her to listen, but she couldn’t stop listening. Her voice is so beautiful.

[@ellab8897]

The guy you’re referring to is Don McLean. It was his performance of Empty Chairs that inspired Killing Me Softly. I’d always thought Roberta Flack wrote this song because she sings it with such emotion.

[@richardconnolly4835]

One of the greatest duets ever is Roberta and Donny Hathaway singing The Closer I Get to You - a beautiful love ballad.

[@christopherphillips8027]

One of the best female singers ever in music history. Miss Roberta Flack. You will love her and this song.

[@couldbwrong]

This was a song written by a female songwriter after seeing a Don McLean concert

[@lumpstersmouse5471]

Her name is Lori Lieberman. Good catch.

[@shirleydurr411]

As teachers, you might appreciate that she was a junior high music and English teacher before she gained fame as a singer. I think she was a classical pianist also, earning degrees from Howard University. And at 85, she's still with us. Other songs of hers that I love: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Tonight We Celebrate My Love," "The Closer I Get to You" which others are also recommending.

[@izzonj]

She is simply one of the best vocal stylists ever.

[@laurabrevitz3944]

There were singers in the 70s who sounded like they were just sitting in their living rooms and playing (Carole King, James Taylor). Flack is a very similar vibe IMHO. Thank you for this.

[@brynneholt1990]

And Karen Carpenter!

[@gerryvargas9259]

In the 1974 Grammy a wards, this song won song of the Year, Record of the Year, best solo vocal performances. That’s how great the song and singer is. And she also won in the previous Year for “The first time ever I saw your Face”.

[@sallym1171]

She has such a beautiful voice. Try listening If Ever I See You Again, it's as beautiful as she is.

[@delorespetree3243]

Love this song Roberta flack kills this song

[@myowndrum286]

I remember the first time hearing this song by Roberta in 1973. It has always been one of my favorites over the years. I so enjoy watching you two react to something I have fond memories of! It often takes me back to a good place. Thanks for that!

[@markd5067]

Roberta is in the top 5 of my favorite female vocalists. Turn on the waterworks with this one ....

[@lindaflores1460]

Lori Lieberman was the original singer

[@docdsself-publishingandwri7988]

Singer Lori Lieberman was at a Don McLean concert at the Troubadour in Los Angeles and his son Empty Chairs affected her so that she rush to call her management team, Fox and Gimble and they penned the song and denied her credit although her praises echoed the lyrics. Robert Flack's arrangement turned the song into a classic. Lori Liberman also did a verson as did the Fugees.

[@kenpaden]

Another great 70s singer!! She had several big hits, including a beautiful duet with Peabo Bryson called TONIGHT I CELEBRATE MY LOVE, one of her biggest hits is FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE

[@daniellegoldsmith9782]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaas! When I was growing up, my dad had this album. I'd put on his big, black earphones and listen to this song over and over and over again. I still remember every note to every second. Sang my heart out just now and got a little teary eyed. Please explore more of Roberta's work. She's amazing. She actually went to Julliard.

[@LeoTiger750]

"First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a must to get the depth of her style.

[@ruelsmith]

You need to listen to more of her! One of the most beautiful voices ever recorded. She never wanted to sing like anyone else. Her own style.

[@m.vondrake5534]

He is just singing but in a way it feels like he's singing right to her, even though it could be to anyone. That's how absolutely DEEP the lyrics are. Like looking into a mirror, in a room full of mirrors.

[@drdr76]

This song is about her hearing Don McClean singing American Pie. It's wonderful how art begets art begets art.

[@akinpaws]

@@drdr76 Lori Lieberman, on hearing McLean sing Empty Chairs.