Roberta Flack’s passing marks the end of an era for music lovers, but her timeless hits continue to shape soul, jazz, and R&B. With a career spanning decades, Flack mastered emotional storytelling through songs that defied genre boundaries. Below, we explore eight tracks that cemented her status as a Grammy-winning legend.
Flack’s 1969 debut album First Take remains revolutionary. Her 10-hour recording marathon at Atlantic Studios produced masterpieces like:
- “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye” (Leonard Cohen cover)
- “Angelitos Negros” (Spanish-language racial justice anthem)
It’s almost impossible to believe this record was created in just 10 hours– Music historians still marvel at her efficiency.
Her 1972 breakout “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” became iconic after featuring in Clint Eastwood’s Play Misty for Me. The track’s slow-burn intensity earned Flack her first Grammy – but she nearly didn’t record it. Fun fact: She’d previously taught the song to students as a music teacher.
Flack made history again with 1973’s “Killing Me Softly,” winning back-to-back Record of the Year Grammys. Her version inspired the Fugees’ 1996 hip-hop reinterpretation, proving her cross-generational influence.
Other career-defining moments include:
• “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (1974’s sultry #1 hit)
• “The Closer I Get to You” (1978 duet with Donny Hathaway)
• “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” (1983 soft-rock collaboration)
Even in the 1990s, Flack stayed relevant through partnerships like “Set the Night to Music” with Maxi Priest. Her ability to evolve with musical trends while maintaining artistic integrity remains unmatched.
