who wrote killing me softly

"Killing Me Softly with His Song" has a fascinating origin story rooted in the early 1970s music scene. Lori Lieberman inspired and co-wrote the song, though official credits went to Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel.

Song's Creation

Lori Lieberman, a young singer-songwriter, attended a Don McLean concert in 1971, where his performance deeply moved her. She shared this emotional experience with her collaborators—lyricist Norman Gimbel and composer Charles Fox—who shaped it into the track for her 1972 debut album. Lieberman recorded the original version, but Fox and Gimbel did not credit her as a co-writer, denying her royalties despite her pivotal role.

Major Hits and Covers

Roberta Flack's 1973 rendition turned it into a global No. 1 smash, earning Grammy wins and defining soft soul. The Fugees revived it in 1996 with a hip- hop edge on The Score , topping charts again and winning a Grammy for Best R&B Performance. These versions overshadowed Lieberman's original, sparking ongoing debates about credit.

Controversy Over Credit

Lieberman has long fought for recognition, revealing in interviews that Gimbel, her manager and lover, dismissed her contributions amid an abusive relationship. Don McLean and Flack supported her story—Flack even met her before passing in February 2025, boosting sales post-tribute. Forums like Reddit echo this, with users stunned it stemmed from McLean's show.

Key Versions Compared

Artist| Year| Peak Chart Position| Notable Achievement
---|---|---|---
Lori Lieberman| 1972| Modest chart| Original recording1
Roberta Flack| 1973| US/UK No. 1| Multiple Grammys27
Fugees| 1996| Global No. 1| Grammy for Best R&B Duo/Group2

Cultural Impact Today

As of early 2026, Lieberman's tale resurfaces in podcasts and articles, especially after Flack's death, fueling forum gossip on songwriting ethics. It's a timeless hit about vulnerability, covered endlessly, but her "little private secret" endures.

TL;DR: Lori Lieberman sparked "Killing Me Softly," but Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel took official credit; Roberta Flack and Fugees made it iconic.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.