Killing Me Softly With His Song

By Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel
1971

With the death late last month of Norman Gimbel, prominent lyricist of the 1950s-1970s, let's take a look at one of his most successful and controversial creations. The generation of "Killing Me Softly", one of the '70s most hypnotic and poignant ballads, is fraught with conflict: Singer-songwriter Lori Lieberman recorded the original version, claiming to have based it on a poem she wrote after being moved by a concert performance by Don McLean, which she then brought to Fox and Gimbel to turn into a song. Fox and Gimbel would later claim to have written the song with little input from Lieberman, and that McLean had nothing to do with it. This heated debate continued right up to Gimbel's death, with McLean recently reporting that he received a cease and desist letter from the lyricist regarding McLean's claims that the song was inspired by him. McLean maintains his version of the story to this day. Meanwhile, the most successful version would be recorded in 1973 by Roberta Flack, who took it all the way to number one for over a month.

Lyrics:

Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song

I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style
And so I came to see him, to listen for a while
And there he was, this young boy, a stranger to my eyes

Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song

I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd
I felt he'd found my letters and read each one out loud
I prayed that he would finish, but he just kept right on

Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly with his song

Recorded By:

Johnny Mathis
Perry Como
The Fugees
Anne Murray
Shirley Bassey

The Rainbow Connection

By Paul Williams & Kenneth Ascher
1979

This one's a bit out of my usual jurisdiction in terms of time-frame, but I truly believe this song to be a modern classic that has, without question, become a standard. Written for The Muppet Movie, in which it was sung by Jim Henson as the voice of Kermit the Frog, it stands alongside "Over the Rainbow" and "When You Wish Upon a Star" among the all-time iconic songs derived from children's fantasy film. Wistful, beautiful, timeless.

Lyrics:

Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows,
And what's on the other side?
Rainbow's are visions,
They're only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.

So we've been told and some chose to believe it,
But I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it:
The Rainbow Connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that,
And someone believed it,
And look what it's done so far.

What's so amazing
That keeps us star gazing?
What do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it:
That Rainbow Connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Have you been half asleep,
And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Are these the sweet sounds
That called the young sailors?
I think they're one and the same.

I've heard it too many times to ignore it,
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it:
The Rainbow Connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Recorded By:

Johnny Mathis
Vonda Shepard
Jason Mraz
Sarah McLachlan
The Carpenters

Send in the Clowns

By Stephen Sondheim
1973

Despite his distinguished career as a Broadway composer, this was Sondheim's only major pop hit, thanks primarily to the 1975 recording by Judy Collins. It was written for the musical A Little Night Music, in which it was introduced by Glynis Johns, for whom Sondheim specifically wrote the song. Its a complex piece using a triple meter, and containing four verses and a bridge. Its lyrics concern an older woman who has been rejected by the man she regrets not having pursued earlier in life.

Lyrics:

Isn't it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Where are the clowns?

Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move...
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.

Just when I'd stopped opening doors,
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours.
Making my entrance again with my usual flair,
Sure of my lines...
No one is there.

Don't you love farce?
My fault, I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want...
Sorry, my dear!
And where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.
Don't bother, they're here.

Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer?
Losing my timing this late in my career.
And where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns...
Well, maybe next year.

Recorded By:

Barbra Streisand
Shirley Bassey
Frank Sinatra
Grace Jones
Stan Kenton