Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 232 - In Memory of the Eternal Diva, Roberta Flack

The Passing of Roberta Flack

This morning, while having breakfast and watching a silent TV program, I noticed an image of a familiar Black woman on the screen.
When I glanced at the text overlay in the upper right corner of the screen, I realized it was news of singer Roberta Flack’s passing.
I am not the type of person who regularly listens to Black music, but just about six months ago, my band performed one of her famous songs.

Roberta Flack was born in 1937 in North Carolina, USA. She was a world-renowned pianist and singer, known for her deeply expressive vocals, including the commercial song “Killing Me Softly with His Song”.
Beyond her musical achievements, she was also active in philanthropy, providing free music education to children from impoverished families. Additionally, she was known as an author, having written children’s books.
In 2022, it was publicly announced that she had been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a debilitating disease that causes muscle weakness. Due to this condition, she retired from performing.
She passed away in New York while being transported to the hospital. The cause of death was heart failure. She was 88 years old.
My deepest condolences.

A Morning Conversation with a Friend and the Origins of a Commercial Song

On the morning of February 26, I happened to run into a friend who is a music journalist, and we started talking about Roberta Flack. Her obituary had appeared in that morning’s newspaper.
This friend of mine is a hardcore Beatles fan and a guitar enthusiast who owns a Martin D-28, a Gibson J-45, and a Fender Telecaster (USA). He is also a flutist, deeply involved in music across various fields.
Coincidentally, I had recently lent him a Roberta Flack CD. His comments were about the excellence of the songs and the uniqueness of her vocals.
Naturally, our conversation turned to “Killing Me Softly with His Song”, the song made famous through a Nescafé commercial film in Japan. We reminisced about it. Was it actually Roberta Flack singing in the commercial, or was it a different singer? To be honest, I wasn’t sure.
During Japan’s economic bubble era, food manufacturers often invested heavily in advertising, even bringing foreign singers into studios to record commercial jingles with the actual product name included.
I don’t know if this song followed the same process, but its unforgettable melody captivated many hearts. I can confidently say that no one of my generation is unfamiliar with this commercial song—it left a lasting impression. I believe that “Killing Me Softly with His Song” is the prototype of a successful commercial song.

Yesterday was rehearsal day for my electric jazz band. We played songs by Roberta Flack that we had covered before.
The songs were “Killing Me Softly with His Song”, “You’ve Got a Friend”, and “Feel Like Makin’ Love”.
Saying that we ‘dedicated’ our performance to Roberta Flack might sound presumptuous, but I think all the band members felt that way.
“Feel Like Makin’ Love” is a song we’ve been playing for a long time in this band. Since we perform it as an instrumental, playing it through the piano feels quite challenging.
There are two well-known intro versions: the Bob James version and the George Benson version. If you want a soft, gentle feel, you play Bob James’ version, using Fm9 and B♭△9 as arpeggiated two-chord patterns. If you want a livelier approach, you use George Benson’s version, where you cycle through A♭△9 / Gm9 / Fm9 / Cm9 over an eight-bar phrase before transitioning into the A section.
During yesterday’s rehearsal, we didn’t want to make it too mellow, so we played it in the George Benson style. Many musicians have covered this song, and countless arrangements exist.
In our band’s version, we usually play it in a standard 16-beat rhythm, but yesterday, at the suggestion of our drummer and bassist, we experimented by switching to a 4-beat swing feel just for the chorus. When the song transitions into a 4-beat rhythm, it creates a floating, gliding sensation. I find this piece extremely rewarding to play.

■ Recommended Album: Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly (1973)

Roberta Flack’s fourth album, released in 1973. The title track, “Killing Me Softly with His Song”, became a massive hit.
The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart and achieved Gold certification. It was even nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Album, though it did not win.

Recommended Song: “Killing Me Softly with His Song”

Roberta Flack herself arranged this song. Having studied music formally at a music conservatory, it was natural for Roberta to handle her own arrangements.
This single topped the Billboard charts and won three Grammy Awards.
Interestingly, this song was originally written by a relatively unknown singer-songwriter duo. An airline company featured it in an in-flight playlist, which is where Roberta Flack first heard it. She was captivated by the song and decided to record it, leading to its enormous success.
Despite its grand and dramatic aura, the song itself is actually quite understated. Roberta Flack does not use the expressive, melismatic style often associated with Black singers. She never strains her voice or forces high notes. Her delicate, slightly raspy high register is her signature sound. She sings it effortlessly—and that’s what makes it great. Her singing is never overbearing, yet it leaves a deep emotional impact. If “less is more” ever needed a definition, this performance would be it. The scatting in the outro lingers in the listener’s heart.
The backing instrumentation is kept minimal, solely to support Roberta’s vocals. The keyboard part is played on a Fender Rhodes electric piano, which perfectly complements the song.

■ Recommended Album: Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - You’ve Got a Friend (1972)

A duet album released in 1972 by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, two legendary soul singers.
Their harmonies are so beautifully intertwined that they create a timeless feeling throughout the album.

Recommended Song: “You’ve Got a Friend”

A cover of Carole King’s classic from Tapestry. Unlike Carole King’s original arrangement, this version primarily follows Donny Hathaway’s interpretation.
It begins with a deeply vibrato-infused introduction on a Fender Rhodes electric piano.
In Donny Hathaway’s live performances, the song’s intro was typically played on a Wurlitzer, giving it a more raw and earthy feel. However, in this version, the use of the Rhodes piano lends it a more refined and sophisticated touch.
Throughout the track, the rhythmic acoustic guitar accompaniment adds an interesting texture to the arrangement.

■ Recommended Album: Roberta Flack - Feel Like Makin’ Love (1975)

This was Roberta Flack’s fifth album, following her monumental success with Killing Me Softly. Her vocal delivery had reached new levels of maturity and depth.

Recommended Song: “Feel Like Makin’ Love”

Unlike the Bob James or George Benson versions, this rendition starts simply with a single-chord Rhodes piano intro.
Roberta Flack’s singing style is effortless—she never forces her voice. Her lack of aggressive vocal techniques sets her apart from many other Black singers.

Musicians, Albums, and Tracks Featured in This Article

• Musicians: Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway
• Albums: Killing Me Softly, Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway, Feel Like Makin’ Love
• Recommended Tracks: “Killing Me Softly with His Song”,”You’ve Got a Friend”, “Feel Like Makin’ Love”

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