where is the love roberta flack
"Where Is the Love" is a timeless soul classic by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, capturing heartfelt longing in a duet that's still cherished today.
Song Origins
This track, written by Ralph MacDonald and William Salter, first appeared on the 1972 album Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway. It became a massive hit, climbing to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, while topping both the R&B and Easy Listening charts for a week each that summer. The duo's chemistry shone through, earning them a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1973.
Lyrics paint a poignant story of unrequited love—where one partner clings to hope despite the other's divided heart. Lines like "You said you'd give to me as soon as you were free... Where is the love?" echo the quiet ache of waiting, blending vulnerability with smooth harmonies that feel like a late- night confession.
Chart Success Breakdown
Here's how the original stacked up in 1972:
| Chart | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Easy Listening | 1 |
| Canada | 35 |
| UK | 29 |
Covers and Lasting Echoes
The song's magic inspired numerous reinterpretations. Stephanie Mills and Robert Brookins hit No. 18 on R&B charts in 1988; Rick Price and Margaret Urlich reached No. 31 in Australia in 1993; Mica Paris and Will Downing charted in the UK in 1995.
Even in 2025, it cracked the US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales at No. 8, showing its enduring pull—perhaps fueled by nostalgia or streaming revivals. Live clips, like Roberta Flack's Boston Pops performance, keep the spirit alive online.
Fans still rave in forums: A 2019 Reddit post hailed its R&B perfection, while recent Facebook groups share it as a 70s gem. Picture this: Donny's warm baritone weaving with Roberta's crystalline alto over gentle funk grooves—it's the soundtrack to countless slow dances and heartbreak stories.
Why It Resonates Now
- Timeless Theme : Love's elusiveness hits harder amid today's fast-paced relationships.
- Vocal Magic : Their interplay feels intimate, like eavesdropping on real lovers' whispers.
- Cultural Staple : Sampled and nodded to in modern tracks, bridging eras.
Quick TL;DR : "Where Is the Love" by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway is a 1972 soul duet about yearning for unavailable love, a chart-topping Grammy winner that's inspired covers and endures on digital charts.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
