Singing a good song: from Empty Chairs to Killing to Grammys and back
Here’s the story of the life of a song that most of you know, or think you know:
A minor fact: I met Lori Lieberman briefly around the time the song first became popular or even before that. She was very young, and seemed extremely shy. But I never forgot her softer, gentler rendition of “Killing Me Softly,” nor the lovely quality of her introspectively melodic delivery.
Here’s the Roberta Flack version that made the song famous, and which most people think is the original:
And here’s Lieberman again with “Killing Me Softly,” singing it softly (but in 2011). My how time does fly—softly (and I have no idea what’s up with pumpkinman in the background):
I never heard the background story of the song, but Liebermann’s version really captures the unexpectedness of being touched by Empty Chairs and the lonliness she felt. She has a wonderful voice.
I like Lori version better. Shame she did not become well known. Her voice fits Emmylou Harris’ style of singing.
I sure enjoy that song. I have a cd of Roberta Flack just for it. Songs that really get to me I try to find the story behind, never got to this one. I might have to finish my collection on that score with Lori Lieberman’s work(s). She has some serious skill, she would be fantastic to see live. Her music would go well with wine and intimate conversations with a woman. Thanks for that.
I wonder when Don McLean first found out he was the inspiration for the song. That probably came as a huge surprise.
I have Lori Lieberman’s lp and kept checking iTunes to see if the song would show up there. What a joy it was when it did and I snatched it up.
I just love your music posts, Neo. I always learn something. I thought the Flack version was the original too, but I didn’t mind the Fugees’ version either. Lori’s is simpler, purer somehow. Thanks.
Thank you for this! I knew that Don McLean was the inspiration for Killing Me Softly, but I did not know that it was as a result of the writer hearing him sing Empty Chairs. He’s so famous for a few of his other songs, but it’s a shame that Crossroads and Empty Chairs are extremely under-rated and unknown songs. Crossroads in particular just gets more relevant and piercing the older I get…