It started with a mysterious concert, became one of the biggest soul hits of the 1970s, and was reborn as a hip-hop phenomenon in the 1990s. 'Killing Me Softly' has one of the most fascinating journeys in popular music: from Lori Lieberman's delicate folk original through Roberta Flack's Grammy-sweeping masterpiece to the Fugees' generation-defining cover.

But did the song really start with a Don McLean concert? Why did Roberta Flack's version eclipse the original so completely? And how did Lauryn Hill and the Fugees bring it to a whole new audience without betraying its soul?

On this episode of Uncovering the Cover, we explore a song about being moved by music, told through three artists, three decades, and three completely different approaches to the same haunting melody.

Featured: Lori Lieberman, Roberta Flack, The Fugees (Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel), Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel.

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CREDITS:

Host, Producer, Editor: Diego Pinzón

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DISCLAIMER:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any artist, label, or organization mentioned. All music samples are used for educational and commentary purposes under fair use doctrine.