Lori Lieberman

b. 1951 · American singer-songwriter

Lori Lieberman (b. 1951) is an American singer-songwriter who recorded the first version of ‘Killing Me Softly with His Song’ in 1972 for Capitol. By her account the song grew from notes she scribbled after seeing Don McLean perform, and in 1973 interviews Gimbel confirmed her role in sparking it. Her original sank without charting, and both the fame and the songwriting royalties went elsewhere — a double erasure the later hits made almost total.

Who recorded it

Songs Lori Lieberman recorded first

Killing Me Softly with His Song

Recorded it first — now often credited to Fugees

Did they really say it?

Thought Lori Lieberman said something else?

Type a quote you think Lori Lieberman said — we’ll tell you what we know, or point you to the best sources.