Who Wrote "Killing Me Softly with His Song"? The song "Killing Me Softly with His Song" is officially credited to composer Charles Fox (music) and lyricist Norman Gimbel. Lori Lieberman provided key lyrical inspiration after a Don McLean concert moved her deeply, but she was controversially denied formal writing credit by her producers.

Song's Origin Story

Lori Lieberman, a young singer-songwriter, attended Don McLean's 1971 performance at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Overwhelmed by his song "Empty Chairs," she shared her raw emotions with manager Norman Gimbel, sparking the lyrics: "I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd." Gimbel and Fox refined it into the full track, which Lieberman recorded first in 1972 on her debut album—yet received no royalties despite her pivotal role.

This tale unfolds like a classic music industry drama: a naive artist pours her heart out, only for collaborators to claim sole ownership. Lieberman later reflected it felt "embarrassing," fearing she'd be seen as a groupie, but the song's haunting vulnerability captured universal longing.

Major Hits and Covers

  • Roberta Flack (1973) : Heard Lieberman's version on an airplane, made it her own with soulful depth, topping charts in the US and UK; won two Grammys.
  • Fugees (1996) : Reggae-hip-hop remake featuring Lauryn Hill's iconic vocals; Grammy winner for Best R&B Performance, reigniting global popularity.

Flack's version transformed it into a timeless ballad, while the Fugees added street-edge swagger—two viewpoints on the same emotional core of art piercing the soul.

Controversy and Legacy

Lieberman fought for recognition for decades; Gimbel even pressured Don McLean to remove her credit from his site. Recent coverage, post-Roberta Flack's passing in early 2025, highlights her story anew, boosting streams amid tributes.

"She told us about this strong experience she had listening to McLean... We all felt it had possibilities." – Norman Gimbel, 1973

Today, the song endures across generations, from quiet coffeehouse strums to arena anthems, proving one vulnerable spark can echo forever.

TL;DR : Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel are credited writers; Lori Lieberman's uncredited inspiration from Don McLean birthed the lyrics.

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