Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song"

Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song"

Author: Hartbeat April 10, 2025 Duration: 1:04:35
This week on One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY dive into the lore of Roberta Flack's 3x Grammy-winning cover of “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” In their discussion, they journey through the life of the song, unpacking the complicated origins of Lori Lieberman's original folk ballad and highlighting the transformative changes in Roberta Flack’s iconic interpretation. Plus, Diallo shares a remix of the Fugees' version that all the heads used to love. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ONESONG and get on your way to being your best self. Songs Discussed: “Killing Me Softly With His Song” - Roberta Flack “American Pie” - Don McLean “Empty Chairs” - Don McLean “Killing Me Softly With His Song” - Lori Lieberman “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” - Roberta Flack “Days Go By” - Dirty Vegas “Back Together Again” - Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway “Killing Me Softly With His Song” - Fugees “Killing Me Softly (Sound Barrier Mix)” - Fugees ft. Bounty Killer “Bonita Applebum” - A Tribe Called Quest “Fool Yourself” - Little Feat “Memory Band” - The Rotary Connection “wanna be tied” - Salon Music “Won’t Cry” - Amber Mark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered what happens when a seasoned comedy writer and a sharp-eared music producer get stuck on the same track? That’s the simple, brilliant premise behind One Song. Each episode, Diallo Riddle-the Emmy-nominated force behind shows like ‘South Side’-and producer Blake "LUXXURY" Robin take a single, often iconic, pop song and hold it up to the light. What you get is less a formal dissection and more of a freewheeling, deeply funny conversation between two friends who happen to be experts in their fields. They’ll pull apart the production quirks you’ve never noticed, unpack the cultural moment that birthed the hit, and share personal stories that the music triggers, all while landing plenty of laughs. This isn’t a dry history lesson or a technical masterclass, though you’ll certainly learn things. It’s the joy of hearing two passionate minds revel in the details of a three-minute masterpiece, whether it’s a chart-topper you’ve heard a thousand times or a forgotten gem they insist you need in your life. The magic of this podcast lies in its focus: by digging into just one song per episode, every layer-from a specific synth sound to a bizarre lyric-gets its moment. It’s a celebration of pop music’s weirdness and wonder, delivered with the easy chemistry of a great hang. Tune in and you’ll find your listening habits changed, as you start hearing your favorite songs with new ears and a bigger smile.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

One Song
Podcast Episodes
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