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I recently wrote a short article on Don McLean’s number one classic, “American Pie.”

While composing that story, I was reminded of another # 1, Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly,” which topped the charts in 1973.

It occurred to me that “Killing Me Softly” was written or inspired by a Don McLean performance. So, I set out to clarify the facts as much as possible.

It is widely reported on the web that “Killing Me Softly” was written about (or inspired by) a Don McLean concert witnessed by Roberta Flack. This is not the case.

It is also widely (and apparently correctly) documented that singer Lori Lieberman inspired the song, not Roberta Flack.

Here’s the press release on this topic from Lori Lieberman’s website:

Press Release: “The Killing Me Softly Connection”

In 1973 Don played a show at the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles. Singing “Empty Chairs” inspired Lori Lieberman to write the song “Killing Me Softly” on a napkin. “I was actually sick of going,” says Lieberman. “I didn’t know who he was, but from the moment he took the stage, I was fascinated. I felt like he knew me and his songs were about my life. I felt like he was singing in my soul.”

Originally called Killing Me Softly With His BluesLori’s poem inspired composers Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox to write the song for her. It was released on their debut album in 1971.

Hearing it on the music show on board an airline, Roberta Flack on landing investigated the song and contacted Gimbel & Fox. She offered to record it and in 1973 it became number one for her. To this day, Lieberman never receives credit for the lyrics and his cover. McLean said he had no idea the song was about him. “Someone called me and said a song had been written about me and that it was number one,” McLean recalled. “It was an honor and a pleasure, and I give credit to Lieberman. My songs always come from my personal thoughts and experiences, so it is overwhelming when someone is touched and touched by them like Lori.” The song was also released by The Fugees in 1997.

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This is where the mystery comes in.

Okay, I am not aware of all the details of this matter. Perhaps some kind of deal was struck between Ms. Lieberman and the accredited songwriters, Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox (both veteran songwriters with great resumes), and / or the song’s publisher (s).

But the statement in Lori Lieberman’s website press release (“Lieberman to this day is never given credit for the lyrics and their version”) is puzzling.

I wrote to LoriLeiberman.com to try and get clarification. This is what I wrote:

“I have read that the song written by Fox / Gimbel” Killing Me Softly “was inspired by Mrs. Lieberman’s poem Killing Me Softly With His Blues, written about Don McLean. This seems to be pretty well documented … My question is, why in the world was Ms. Lieberman not credited as a co-author of the song? In Nashville, this would never happen. The boy or girl in THE IDEA is as important, or even more so, than words and melodrama. “

I have not received a reply.

Here’s the troubling part. This is not a case where someone says to a songwriter, “Hey, I saw this guy perform at the Bluebird and he was just killing me.” And then the composer goes and writes a song about a memorable performer or performance. Lori Leiberman actually wrote a poem (LYRICS) called “Killing Me Softly With His Blues”. Precisely that line, “Killing Me Softly”, is the basis of the worldwide hit song. In fact, “Killing Me Softly” has become a pop culture cliché, not unlike “Hit the Road Jack” or many other sayings that have been popularized by songs. (Except in this case Lieberman may have been the Author of the expression!) “Killing Me Softly” is a standard and to this observer it appears that Lieberman at least CO-AUTHORIZED it.

I do not understand. FORTUNES have been created with “Killing Me Softly”. And Lori Lieberman is credited with “presenting” the song (having been the first to record it) …? GREAT SHOT. The GREAT songs are treasures, figuratively and literally.

“Killing Me Softly” was a great success. Roberta Flack’s 1973 version was # 1 TWICE, being knocked down from first place by The O’Jays’ “Love Train” but then returning to # 1 again. after “Train of love”.

The song has been performed and / or recorded by giants of the recording industry, including Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin, as well as many others, and even translated into several foreign languages. It was a # 2 remake of Hip-Hop in 1996 for The Fugees with Lauryn Hill. It was featured in the big movie of 2002. About a boy. “Killing Me Softly” is one of those songs that “make a career”.

So as a student of songwriting and the music business, as an educator trying to dispel myths and inspire young creatives to do so in music and the arts … and as someone who professes that success really does come. It’s about THE IDEA: writing songs, making movies, ENTERTAINING … I just don’t get this one. Someone please explain it to me.