As I posted earlier today, this song was the inspiration for Lori Lieberman to write "Killing Me Softly with His Song" after she saw Don Mclean perform it in concert. I like it. It is very representative of the folk side of McLean. I think I like "Killing Me Softly with His Song" more though.
After a long day, during the drive home, with no dinner I was hungry, tired, and defeated. It was dark and raining. This song came on the radio and its sweet sorrow was delicious for the moment. Sure I wasn't about to give up, but I'd like to believe it gave me the strength to get home and drag my sorry self into the house.
I didn't realize it until I went to find a video, that this was not written by Roberta Flack. It was by released the year previously by Lori Lieberman, written about her experience seeing Don McLean play "Empty Chairs" in concert. Music inspired by music. What a beautiful thing. Here is Lori Lieberman's original:
It has since been covered a gazillion times, being pulled away from its folk roots. Notably the version by the Fugees brings in some hip hop…
…while this version by Pitingo brings a Flamenco flavor to the song.
Although these covers and the cover versions yet to come are interesting and fun, the original and the cover by Roberta Flack are soundly the best two in my book.
