In the annals of songwriting lore, certain melodies emerge not from deliberate crafting, but from the raw, unfiltered emotion of a single moment. For Lori Lieberman, 1971 at The Troubadour in Los Angeles was one such moment. It was Don McLean’s performance of “Empty Chairs” that acted as the catalyst, igniting a spark that would eventually blossom into the iconic ballad, “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” Lieberman’s profound connection to McLean’s music that night transcended mere admiration; it was a visceral experience that compelled her to capture her feelings immediately, scribbling them onto a tear-stained napkin. This seemingly small act of emotional outpouring was the very seed from which a global phenomenon would grow.
From Troubadour Tears to Budding Inspiration
The immediacy of Lieberman’s experience at the Troubadour is palpable. So moved was she by McLean’s performance, the lyrics and melody resonating deep within her, that the impulse to write became overwhelming. Immediately after the show, Lieberman reached out to her lover and professional partner, lyricist and manager Norman Gimbel. Sharing the raw emotion of the evening and the nascent ideas scribbled on that napkin, she unveiled the emotional core of what would become “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” The creative seed was planted, and with Gimbel’s lyrical expertise and the musical talent of his business partner, Charles Fox, the song began to take shape.
Gimbel himself acknowledged Lieberman’s pivotal role in the song’s genesis. In a 1973 interview with the New York Daily News, he recounted, “She told us about this strong experience she had listening to McLean. I had a notion this might make a good song… We talked it over several times, just as we did for the rest of the numbers we wrote for this album and we all felt it had possibilities.” This collaborative process, sparked by Lieberman’s intensely personal reaction to McLean’s performance, highlights the often-unseen emotional labor that underpins celebrated songs. While Fox provided the melody and Gimbel the polished lyrics, it was Lieberman’s initial emotional blueprint that provided the song’s very foundation and distinctive feeling of intimate vulnerability.
Recording and Recognition: A Discrepancy Emerges
Lieberman’s involvement extended beyond mere inspiration. She was deeply invested in ensuring the song remained true to its emotional origins. As the initial muse, she meticulously oversaw the lyrical and structural development, striving to maintain the integrity of her original sentimental experience. This hands-on approach underscores her artistic contribution, far exceeding the passive role of a simple inspiration source.
Subsequently, Lieberman recorded “Killing Me Softly With His Song” for her self-titled album released under Capitol Records. Despite her integral role in the song’s creation, she received no official songwriting credit. This omission had significant repercussions, denying her both financial compensation and crucial musical recognition for a song that would soon resonate globally. Reflecting on her early relationship with the track, Lieberman admitted a complex mix of feelings: “I remember feeling about the song that it was good and I liked it. I don’t think I loved it at all. It almost embarrassed me because I didn’t want anybody to view me as a groupie who had gone to, you know, a concert. I just didn’t want to be seen like that.” This statement reveals a young artist grappling with vulnerability and public perception, unaware of the monumental impact her “napkin notes” would have on the musical landscape.
From Album Track to Global Anthem: Covers and Continued Credit Battles
Despite Lieberman’s initial understated recording, “Killing Me Softly With His Song” was destined for far greater heights. Its emotional resonance proved universal, and the song began to transcend its original context. Roberta Flack’s iconic 1973 cover catapulted the song into mainstream consciousness, earning her multiple Grammy Awards and solidifying its place as a modern classic. Decades later, in 1996, The Fugees reimagined the track again, injecting a hip-hop infused energy that topped international charts and introduced the song to a new generation.
However, even as the song achieved global recognition through these celebrated covers, Lori Lieberman’s contribution remained largely unacknowledged. She continued to receive minimal credit for the song’s genesis, a situation exacerbated by Gimbel and Fox who actively downplayed her role. In a particularly disheartening move, Gimbel reportedly demanded that Don McLean remove any mention of Lieberman’s involvement from McLean’s own website, further erasing her from the narrative of “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” This persistent denial of credit underscores the challenges faced by artists, particularly women, in receiving due recognition for their creative contributions within the music industry.
Reclaiming “Killing Me Softly”: Ownership and Evolving Meaning
Almost half a century later, Lieberman has found a renewed and empowered relationship with “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” Time and the song’s enduring legacy have shifted her perspective. “As a young girl I was telling my story and that was a story of a young girl,” she reflects. This “story,” once a source of potential embarrassment and obscured credit, has now become a source of pride and artistic ownership. The song’s journey through various genres and interpretations has broadened its reach and impact, yet, for Lieberman, its core remains deeply personal.
She describes the unique experience of hearing the covers by Flack and The Fugees, stating, “When I hear the Fugees or Roberta Flack, I always think it’s like this little private secret that I have that, wow that’s me. You know? That’s me, that’s my story. No one here is this restaurant knows that this is mine… It’s like a little secret.” This intimate connection persists despite the song’s global fame, highlighting the powerful bond between an artist and their creation, regardless of public perception or credit disputes. She also appreciates the diverse interpretations the song has undergone, praising Flack’s “brilliance” and noting how the Fugees’ version brought the song renewed attention and even a moment of “cool mom” status with her children.
“Killing Me Softly” Reborn: A Full Circle Moment
In a powerful act of artistic reclamation, Lieberman recently reorchestrated her own version of “Killing Me,” deliberately linking it musically to McLean’s “Empty Chairs.” This act serves as both an homage to her initial inspiration and a definitive statement of ownership. Now, the song carries a richer, more layered significance in Lieberman’s life and performances. “I must have performed it thousands and thousands of times, but I never ever ever ever get tired of it. Ever…I sing it for the girl I was, but I also sing it for who I’ve become… there have been a lot of twists and turns, but the song is still something that I regard as a really big gift to me and I’m constantly surprised that it is something that people relate to so much.”
Further solidifying this full-circle moment, Lieberman released her newest album, The Girl and the Cat, featuring her own adaptation of McLean’s “Empty Chairs.” She also announced plans to “Return to the Troubadour” – the very venue where her journey with “Killing Me Softly With His Song” began – to share the complete story behind the song. Lori Lieberman’s story serves as a compelling reminder of the often-complex origins of beloved songs, the power of a single emotional experience, and the ongoing journey of artists reclaiming their narratives within the music industry. Through her enduring connection to “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” she continues to sing her truth, softly, yet powerfully, for the girl she was and the artist she has become.
