Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly Lyrics | SongMeanings

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Killing Me Softly Lyrics

Edit Lyrics Strumming my pain with his fingersSinging my life with his wordsKilling me softly with his songKilling me softly with his songTelling my whole life with his wordsKilling me softly with his songI heard he sang a good song,I heard he had a styleAnd so I came to see him,To listen for a whileAnd there he was this young boy,A stranger to my eyesStrumming my pain with his fingersSinging my life with his wordsKilling me softly with his songKilling me softly with his songTelling my whole life with his wordsKilling me softly with his songI felt all flushed with fever, Embarrassed by the crowdI felt he found my letters,And read each one out loudI prayed that he would finish,But he just kept right onStrumming my pain with his fingersSinging my life with his wordsKilling me softly with his songKilling me softly with his songTelling my whole life with his wordsKilling me softly with his songHe sang as if he knew me,In all my dark despairAnd then he looked right through me, As if I wasn't thereAnd he just kept on singing,Singing clear and strong Strumming my pain with his fingersSinging my life with his wordsKilling me softly with his songKilling me softly with his songTelling my whole life with his wordsKilling me softly with his songStrumming my pain with his fingersSinging my life with his wordsKilling me softly with his songKilling me softly with his songTelling my whole life with his wordsKilling me....He was strumming my pain Yeah, he was singing my lifeKilling me softly with his songKilling me softly with his songTelling my whole life with his wordsKilling me softly with his song New! Log in to start a snippet Song Info Copyright Lyrics © Tunecore Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc. Writer Norman Gimbel, Charles Fox Duration 4:46 Producer Joel Dorn Release date Jan 01, 1973 Sentiment Positive Submitted by xheartbreakerx On Jan 16, 2005 More Roberta Flack The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face I (Who Have Nothing) Ballad of the Sad Young Men Do What You Gotta Do The Closer I Get to You 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 heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style And so I came to see him, To 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 He sang as if he knew me, In all my dark despair And then he looked right through me, As if I wasn't there And he just kept on singing, Singing clear and strong 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 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.... He was strumming my pain Yeah, he was singing my life 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 Correcting wrong lyrics Fixing missing lines Removing extra lines Updating to official version Switching between clean/explicit (official) Fixing line breaks or spacing Correcting stanza/section order Removing unofficial annotations or brackets Correcting punctuation or capitalization Fixing spelling/typo errors Removing non-lyric content Standardizing formatting Other (explain below) Lyrics saved successfully! Thanks! These lyrics are currently locked and can only be edited by moderators and administrators. You must be logged in to edit lyrics. Unable to save lyrics. Please try again. Lyrics cannot contain links. Lyric edit submitted successfully and is pending approval. Approvals usually take 24 hours. Edit Cancel Editing Tips Keep it true to the song

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Revision History xheartbreakerx Submitter 2005-01-16 10:08:02 10 Meanings

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View Profile Dismiss by quester 19y ago

Not about American Pie, but about the experience of being at a Don Mclean concert.

Not about American Pie, but about the experience of being at a Don Mclean concert. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +4 Users: Reply · 1 Share by melesaevanna 4y ago

@quester \r\nI read also she was in New York and went to a small club and Don McClean was playing that night. He had not reached any fame at that time. She was taken aback by his song or songs that it inspired this song.! I have experienced that before but it was with Joni Mitchell. Also this song is much more interesting knowing her inspiration for writing it! For years I thought she said "Strumming my face with his fingers" which is not the same as the real words.

@quester \r\nI read also she was in New York and went to a small club and Don McClean was playing that night. He had not reached any fame at that time. She was taken aback by his song or songs that it inspired this song.! I have experienced that before but it was with Joni Mitchell. Also this song is much more interesting knowing her inspiration for writing it! For years I thought she said "Strumming my face with his fingers" which is not the same as the real words.

@[quester:40991] \r\nI read also she was in New York and went to a small club and Don McClean was playing that night. He had not reached any fame at that time. She was taken aback by his song or songs that it inspired this song.! I have experienced that before but it was with Joni Mitchell. Also this song is much more interesting knowing her inspiration for writing it! For years I thought she said "Strumming my face with his fingers" which is not the same as the real words. Reason: Edit Cancel by RozYeh! 17y ago

Its about her going to a gig or concert because she heard the guy was meant to be a pretty good singer.

Then when she hears one of his songs, she can empathise with it so acutely that she feels as if he knows exactly how she's feeling, what she's thinking and her entire situation.

We've all been there. Felt as if a certain song was written about our own situation. This is a song about this happening to her - I heard it was when she heard American pie too, but yeah -shrugs- dnt know for definate.

Its about her going to a gig or concert because she heard the guy was meant to be a pretty good singer. Then when she hears one of his songs, she can empathise with it so acutely that she feels as if he knows exactly how she's feeling, what she's thinking and her entire situation. We've all been there. Felt as if a certain song was written about our own situation. This is a song about this happening to her - I heard it was when she heard American pie too, but yeah -shrugs- dnt know for definate. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +4 Users: Reply · 2 Share by melesaevanna 4y ago

@RozYeh! I read she was invited by a friend to go hear Don McClean when he was just starting out in clubs. and nothing to do with American Pie which had not been written yet. Few songs bring the feelings I feel when I listen to this song after finally knowing the real words! I feel her emotions it seems .

@RozYeh! I read she was invited by a friend to go hear Don McClean when he was just starting out in clubs. and nothing to do with American Pie which had not been written yet. Few songs bring the feelings I feel when I listen to this song after finally knowing the real words! I feel her emotions it seems .

@RozYeh! I read she was invited by a friend to go hear Don McClean when he was just starting out in clubs. and nothing to do with American Pie which had not been written yet. Few songs bring the feelings I feel when I listen to this song after finally knowing the real words! I feel her emotions it seems . Reason: Edit Cancel by PHR 4y ago

@RozYeh! Don McLean is a wonderful songwriter; I'm sure this was about something other than American Pie. But I agree with your interpretation.

@RozYeh! Don McLean is a wonderful songwriter; I'm sure this was about something other than American Pie. But I agree with your interpretation.

@RozYeh! Don McLean is a wonderful songwriter; I'm sure this was about something other than American Pie. But I agree with your interpretation. Reason: Edit Cancel by StrangeRambler 5y ago

I really like Roberta Flacks interpretation of this song about a song. Although in real life "Killing me Softly" is based on Lori Lieberman's experience of Don McLean's "Empty Chairs", here the song takes on an unknown mythical status (rather like Tenacious D's "Tribute"). And this song has a profound effect upon our protagonist; it both reflects and destroys her, but also makes her grow as a result.

The protagonist was made to feel small, like her entire life could have been encapsulated in something as simple as a song. Hence the contrasts between "my pain/ his fingers" and "my life/ his words" as if the former was no match for the latter, even though the song was sung "softly".

In the first verse there is an emotional distance between her and the singer: "I heard he sang a good song/ had a style". These are very chill reasons for being at the concert. Also note the laid-back "to listen for a while" which could imply that she wasn't even planning on staying for the whole performance. Describing him as a "young boy", also implies a lack of life experience (as if he shouldn't be so wise). All of this makes it easy to sing this entire verse with a bitter sarcasm (try it), but in Roberta Flack's performance it feels like she is expressing the unexpectedness of what happened. She wasn't prepared for this.

The second verse reveals that she felt a sudden need to explain her unexpected reaction to herself. She tried to defend herself from the revelations in the song, wishing he would stop, but she felt powerless against the onslaught. It's like he was gently tearing up the "letters" she refers to. Letters which were very personal and meaningful to her were exposed to be some kind of cliché in his ability to replicate them.

In the last verse her defences were proved useless and she was exposed "in all (her) dark despair". And yet while she felt so exposed, she also felt invisible when he "looked right though" her. This connects to what I was saying earlier about her feeling small. And yet she is the subject of his song in her mind. So at this point she doesn't feel like her own person; she has been replaced by a song which has been sung many times before and could be written without her. Of course, being a person, she is more than this, at least in potential, but her old conception of who she is had to die before she could grow.

Once the verses are over, the last thing we hear before the chorus repeats is a long cry of pain and sadness. It is not shown in these lyrics but it is sang as a series of "Oh's" and "La's". What I hear is the mourning of her old self. But she can grow because she has accepted this death instead of clinging to her old way of being. The song feels like it is sung by someone who has begun to mature and deepen due to this experience. So although it is a sad song it is one that lays the foundation of a new hope and a new life beyond the old one.

My Interpretation I really like Roberta Flacks interpretation of this song about a song. Although in real life "Killing me Softly" is based on Lori Lieberman's experience of Don McLean's "Empty Chairs", here the song takes on an unknown mythical status (rather like Tenacious D's "Tribute"). And this song has a profound effect upon our protagonist; it both reflects and destroys her, but also makes her grow as a result. The protagonist was made to feel small, like her entire life could have been encapsulated in something as simple as a song. Hence the contrasts between "my pain/ his fingers" and "my life/ his words" as if the former was no match for the latter, even though the song was sung "softly". In the first verse there is an emotional distance between her and the singer: "I heard he sang a good song/ had a style". These are very chill reasons for being at the concert. Also note the laid-back "to listen for a while" which could imply that she wasn't even planning on staying for the whole performance. Describing him as a "young boy", also implies a lack of life experience (as if he shouldn't be so wise). All of this makes it easy to sing this entire verse with a bitter sarcasm (try it), but in Roberta Flack's performance it feels like she is expressing the unexpectedness of what happened. She wasn't prepared for this. The second verse reveals that she felt a sudden need to explain her unexpected reaction to herself. She tried to defend herself from the revelations in the song, wishing he would stop, but she felt powerless against the onslaught. It's like he was gently tearing up the "letters" she refers to. Letters which were very personal and meaningful to her were exposed to be some kind of cliché in his ability to replicate them. In the last verse her defences were proved useless and she was exposed "in all (her) dark despair". And yet while she felt so exposed, she also felt invisible when he "looked right though" her. This connects to what I was saying earlier about her feeling small. And yet she is the subject of his song in her mind. So at this point she doesn't feel like her own person; she has been replaced by a song which has been sung many times before and could be written without her. Of course, being a person, she is more than this, at least in potential, but her old conception of who she is had to die before she could grow. Once the verses are over, the last thing we hear before the chorus repeats is a long cry of pain and sadness. It is not shown in these lyrics but it is sang as a series of "Oh's" and "La's". What I hear is the mourning of her old self. But she can grow because she has accepted this death instead of clinging to her old way of being. The song feels like it is sung by someone who has begun to mature and deepen due to this experience. So although it is a sad song it is one that lays the foundation of a new hope and a new life beyond the old one. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 1 ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +4 Users: Reply · 4 Share by melesaevanna 4y ago

@StrangeRambler Thank you for your informative and heartfelt explanation!!! I never thought I could love this song more but you have elevated my feelings to a higher place than 5 minutes ago! Humbly, I thank you

@StrangeRambler Thank you for your informative and heartfelt explanation!!! I never thought I could love this song more but you have elevated my feelings to a higher place than 5 minutes ago! Humbly, I thank you

@[StrangeRambler:40992] Thank you for your informative and heartfelt explanation!!! I never thought I could love this song more but you have elevated my feelings to a higher place than 5 minutes ago! Humbly, I thank you Reason: Edit Cancel by auggie1067 2y ago

@StrangeRambler A well-written and thoughtful explanation.

@StrangeRambler A well-written and thoughtful explanation.

I discovered that an old flame had written, and been performing, several songs about our old relationship, and this song has had new and shocking resonance with me ever since. Hearing someone literally broadcast your pain in the chords of their music and "singing your life"; the embarrassment and publicity from feeling exposed, while simultaneously feeling invisible (as though your own feeling about it all or reaction was meaningless or unimportant)... it's all there.

I discovered that an old flame had written, and been performing, several songs about our old relationship, and this song has had new and shocking resonance with me ever since. Hearing someone literally broadcast your pain in the chords of their music and "singing your life"; the embarrassment and publicity from feeling exposed, while simultaneously feeling invisible (as though your own feeling about it all or reaction was meaningless or unimportant)... it's all there.

@[StrangeRambler:50187] A well-written and thoughtful explanation. I discovered that an old flame had written, and been performing, several songs about our old relationship, and this song has had new and shocking resonance with me ever since. Hearing someone literally broadcast your pain in the chords of their music and "singing your life"; the embarrassment and publicity from feeling exposed, while simultaneously feeling invisible (as though your own feeling about it all or reaction was meaningless or unimportant)... it's all there. Reason: Edit Cancel by Chris2002Rock 18y ago

This song reminds me of a woman who knows she is being seduced by someone whose motives are not trusted by her. She can't resist and it causes her extreme pain becasue the exeperiences last only as long as he wants it to, or so she fears.

This song reminds me of a woman who knows she is being seduced by someone whose motives are not trusted by her. She can't resist and it causes her extreme pain becasue the exeperiences last only as long as he wants it to, or so she fears. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +3 Users: Reply · 1 Share by Juli@ 19y ago

Its interesting to note the comment made by ike on 3-19-2007 regarding the song "Empty Chairs" by Don McLean. American Pye isn't very romantic.

Its interesting to note the comment made by ike on 3-19-2007 regarding the song "Empty Chairs" by Don McLean. American Pye isn't very romantic. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +1 Users: Reply · 0 Share by Bunnymuse 9y ago

It can be about American Pie, it can be about anyone. It's about have sudden feelings for someone...sudden deep feelings, feeling like someone has touched your soul, like it was meant to be. Some people just have something about them, you can't exactly put your finger on it. Their eyes read you..they know everything about you though you've just met.

It can be about American Pie, it can be about anyone. It's about have sudden feelings for someone...sudden deep feelings, feeling like someone has touched your soul, like it was meant to be. Some people just have something about them, you can't exactly put your finger on it. Their eyes read you..they know everything about you though you've just met. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 0 Users: Reply · 0 Share by Icon6386 6y ago

Sure, about the effect of seeing a young Don McLean in concert, "I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style" ....." and there he was this young boy, a stranger to my eyes". Some great songs from Don McLean in the early to mid 1970s, e.g. 'American Pie', 'Vincent', 'Winterwood'.

Sure, about the effect of seeing a young Don McLean in concert, "I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style" ....." and there he was this young boy, a stranger to my eyes". Some great songs from Don McLean in the early to mid 1970s, e.g. 'American Pie', 'Vincent', 'Winterwood'. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 0 Users: Reply · 1 Share by IMarrydDaveGrohl 18y ago

Hoohaa is right. She wrote the song about how American Pie made her feel.

Hoohaa is right. She wrote the song about how American Pie made her feel. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 -1 Users: Reply · 1 Share by Deadwing2112 17y ago

All of you are wrong. Roberta Flack never even wrote this song. She saw it in a magazine while flying on a plane and looked into it further because the name caught her attention.

All of you are wrong. Roberta Flack never even wrote this song. She saw it in a magazine while flying on a plane and looked into it further because the name caught her attention.

It was written by a girl named Lori Lieberman, who wrote it about Don McLean's song "Empty Chairs".

It was written by a girl named Lori Lieberman, who wrote it about Don McLean's song "Empty Chairs".

All of you are wrong. Roberta Flack never even wrote this song. She saw it in a magazine while flying on a plane and looked into it further because the name caught her attention. It was written by a girl named Lori Lieberman, who wrote it about Don McLean's song "Empty Chairs". Reason: Edit Cancel by hoohaa 20y ago

This song is about the song "American Pie" by Don McLean.

This song is about the song "American Pie" by Don McLean. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 -2 Users: Reply · 0 Share by jerrywarriner 6y ago

The song is ludicrous. I'm reminded of the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" or some such.

Words do hurt! In the case of the person hearing the song, each word is like a dagger stuck in her ribs. You call that being killed softly? Let's not forget that slurs are words, and they hurt. Hearing your own words thrown back at you is like getting hit with a meat ax. Soft? Don't make me laugh!

The song is ludicrous. I'm reminded of the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" or some such. Words do hurt! In the case of the person hearing the song, each word is like a dagger stuck in her ribs. You call that being killed softly? Let's not forget that slurs are words, and they hurt. Hearing your own words thrown back at you is like getting hit with a meat ax. Soft? Don't make me laugh! Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 -2 Users: Reply · 0 Share 1

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