Cynthia Erivo’s “Killing Me Softly with His Song” is stunning

Cynthia Erivo took the Fugees’ version of “Killing Me Softly with His Song” to new levels in a recent duet with fellow Broadway icon Joaquina Kalukango at the Kennedy Center.

The Evil Praised by his wife for her enchanting vocals and powerful performances, the star delivered nothing but breathtaking shows at her December 2023 show at the Kennedy Center.

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After I tapped her Color Purple When her co-star joined her on stage to perform “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” the audience knew they were in for something special. The song was full of passion and stunning vocals, and the performance was moving from start to finish.

Watch Cynthia Erivo’s performance of “Killing Me Softly with His Song” from her Kennedy Center concert in December 2023 here.

“Killing Me Softly with His Song” by Cynthia Erivo and Joaquina Kalukango

As soon as Erivo began singing the first note of “Killing Me Softly with His Song” – first made famous by Roberta Flack and then imaginatively reinterpreted by the Fugees – the crowd erupted in praise. “You know this one, don’t you?” Erivo teased, before continuing with angelic grace, singing each note with emotional tenderness.

After the band recorded the iconic Fugees riff, Kalukango also contributed her vocals.

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Erivo’s rich timbre and emotional depth perfectly complemented Kalukango’s soulful and expressive delivery, as the singers took turns taking listeners on a sonic journey. The harmonies were masterfully executed, showcasing their incredible chemistry and musical synergy. Both singers had plenty of time to shine during the powerful duet, bringing a fresh and poignant interpretation of the hit.

Erivo and Kalukango’s rendition of “Killing Me Softly with His Song” was spectacular, adding an iconic new take to the song’s long-standing portfolio of cover versions.

What you should know about “Killing Me Softly with His Song”

“Killing Me Softly with His Song” was originally recorded by Lori Lieberman and released on her eponymous debut album in 1972.

The aforementioned composers Charles Fox and the late Norman Gimbel have infamously denied Lieberman’s role as inspiration for the song in recent decades. However, when the song was first released, Lieberman attributed the creation of “Killing Me Softly with His Song” to a Don McLean concert she attended in the early 1970s.

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“Don McLean. I saw him last year at the Troubadour in LA…” Lieberman told News in 1973. “I was moved by his performance, by the way he developed his numbers; he reached me directly.”

McLean had hit the mainstream with his megahit “America Pie,” but Lieberman said she was captivated by his haunting ballad “Empty Chairs.” According to Lieberman, she then grabbed a napkin and began writing down ideas that would serve as inspiration for “Killing Me Softly with His Song.”

Lieberman repeated this origin story in 2021 in an interview with The Washington Postwhere McLean also backed up her claims about the song’s genesis. While Lieberman is not officially credited as a songwriter, she is widely considered the single’s muse.

Lieberman’s “Killing Me Softly with His Song” failed to chart upon its release, but became a megahit after Roberta Flack covered it in 1973. After hearing Lieberman’s recording on an airplane, Flack asked Fox for permission to cover the song. Her revised version – found on her 1973 album – Kill me gently — earned Flack two Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year.

The version of “Killing Me Softly with His Song” that Erivo and Kalukango honored with their performance at the Kennedy Center was the funky interpretation by the hip-hop trio Fugees from 1996.

Featuring sitar synths and percussive beats as well as the velvety vocals of Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill, the Fugees’ version was an international success. The single reached number 1 on Billboard‘s Pop Airplay Charts and landed on BillboardList of the 500 greatest songs of all time.