Roberta Flack passed away on February 24, 2025. In her wake, she left a storied musical history, full of splashy duets and impressive ballads. To help celebrate her legacy, check out four of the best Flack songs–that aren’t “Killing Me Softly With His Song”–below.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Tonight I Celebrate My Love” (Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson)
Flack and Peabo Bryson hopped in the studio together for this ballad in the early ’80s. If you only know Flack from “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” this song might come as a surprise to you. She’s a tender balladeer in this duet–far removed from the soulful, mournful notes found in her signature song. It certainly showcases the breadth of Flack’s musical talent.
Tonight, I celebrate my love for you
It seems the natural thing to do
Tonight, no one’s gonna find us
We’ll leave the world behind us
When I make love to you
Tonight, I celebrate my love for you
And hope that deep inside you’ll feel it too
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
Much like “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” this track has a haunting undertone. It’s wistful and plaintive–tailor made for waxing poetic about a love interest. Her vocals are as powerful here as they ever have been. The slow tempo of this song let her loosen the reins of her voice a bit, allowing for optimum delivery and impressive notes.
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the endless skies, my love
To the dark and the endless skies
“Feel Like Makin’ Love”
Though there is another song by this title that is more widely known, this Flack track is equally as alluring. It’s spring incarnate. If anything can thaw out the winter blues, it’s this simple, yet invigorating track about romantic devotion.
That’s the time
I feel like makin’ love to you
That’s the time
I feel like makin’ dreams come true, oh Baby
When you talk to me
When you’re moanin’ sweet and low
When you’re touchin’ me
And my feelin’s start to show
“The Closer I Get to You” (Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway)
Flack joined forces with the king of a slow jam, Donny Hathaway, for “The Closer I Get to You.” It’s one of many duets the pair shared, but arguably one of their best. It’s not hard to figure why Flack and Hathaway found themselves together in the studio often after hearing their expert vocal blend on this song. It’s, at the same time, seductive and comforting. If you’re going to add any song to your playlist, perhaps it should be “The Closer I Get to You.”
Sweeter and sweeter love grows
And heaven’s there for those
Who fool the tricks of time
With the hearts in love they find
True love
In a special way
Photo: Jeri Jones / Reybee PR / Rey Roldan / [email protected]
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