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Athena E.

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Sunday Classics 21.09.2025

Hey legends!

This week’s Sunday Classic is one for the soul—'Killing Me Softly with His Song' by the incredible Roberta Flack. Released in 1973, this tune took over the airwaves with its gentle piano, smooth rhythm, and Roberta’s velvet voice that somehow says everything we’ve ever felt but never put into words.

The song tells the story of someone hearing a singer perform—and feeling completely exposed, like their life is being sung back to them. That’s the power of it. And fun fact: it was inspired by a real-life moment! A woman saw Don McLean (yep, American Pie Don McLean) in concert and said she felt like he was 'killing her softly with his song'. That moment sparked the lyrics—and when Roberta Flack heard it, she knew exactly how to bring it to life.

It’s won Grammys, topped charts, and been covered by heaps of artists—but Roberta’s version is the one that stays with you. Go give it a listen, and let us know what classic you'd love to see featured next. We’re always up for a trip down memory lane. 💿


Source: YouTube

Lyrics:
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 (softly)

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

Missed last week's Sunday Classics? You can still listen to it here!
 
First time ever I saw your face
 
Lovin you by Minnie Riperton
 
Have always been a big fan of both Roberta Flack and Don McLean, but never knew this tune related to Don. As a young fellow, I recall watching a young Don, sitting on a stool on stage at the Royal Albert Hall London (on TV), on his own with only his guitar. What a performance.
Both brilliant entertainers. Kev.
 

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