Roberta Flack: The Legend Who Sang Us Into Our Feelings and Left Us Crying in Public

February 25, 2025

Roberta Flack wasn’t just a singer. She was a musical architect of emotions, a woman who could make the toughest person crumble into a puddle of feelings with just one note. Her passing at 88 is a moment for reflection, a time to revisit the legacy of an artist who somehow made heartbreak sound beautiful and love seem both blissful and deeply, deeply complicated.

Her songs weren’t just melodies; they were emotional black holes. You walked into a Roberta Flack song thinking you were fine, and suddenly, you were staring out the window contemplating every romantic decision you’ve ever made. She gave us the soundtrack for longing, for hope, for regret, and for those moments when you text your ex at 2 a.m. and immediately regret it.

The Accidental Superstar Who Was Always Destined for Greatness

Flack wasn’t supposed to be a pop sensation. She started off as a classically trained pianist, attending Howard University at the absurdly young age of 15—because, apparently, being a child prodigy was just another thing she did effortlessly. While the rest of us were struggling to finish our math homework, Flack was out here mastering Rachmaninoff.

She started performing jazz in Washington, D.C. clubs to pay the bills, probably thinking, "I’m just trying to survive out here," and instead, Atlantic Records came knocking. Her debut album, First Take, was recorded in just 10 hours—because apparently, some people just don’t need second takes. That album would go on to launch a career that would redefine soul music.

And then Clint Eastwood, of all people, decided he wanted "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in his movie Play Misty for Me. That song turned Flack into a superstar. Imagine casually recording a track, then finding out it’s now the biggest song in America because Dirty Harry himself thought it slapped.

Killing Us Softly, Over and Over Again

If "Killing Me Softly with His Song" had never existed, the world would be a much sadder, less dramatic place. That song made Flack the first artist to ever win back-to-back Grammys for Record of the Year, and for good reason.

It wasn’t just a song; it was an emotional experience. It was the soundtrack of unspoken pain, of watching someone you love love someone else and pretending you’re fine while your soul is actively disintegrating. You didn’t just listen to it—you felt personally victimized by it.

Flack’s ability to rip your heart out and gently put it back together set her apart. You didn’t just cry to her music; you ugly-cried. She was out here ruining people’s eyeliner before waterproof mascara was even a thing.

The Queen of the Duet

As if solo success wasn’t enough, Flack then went on to become one-half of the most iconic duets of all time with Donny Hathaway. Their songs "Where Is the Love?" and "The Closer I Get to You" made every listener believe in romance again—until they realized they’d never sound as good in harmony with another human being.

Flack and Hathaway’s chemistry was so real, so effortless, that you couldn’t listen to their music without mentally casting yourself in a fake romantic drama. Even if you were single, you’d start thinking about the love you hadn’t even experienced yet.

And let’s be real: any relationship that survived through the 1970s was probably held together by a Roberta Flack song and a lot of questionable fashion choices.

A Legacy That Spanned More Than Music

Flack wasn’t just a singer—she was a storyteller, an innovator, and an advocate for music education. She founded the Roberta Flack School of Music, ensuring that future generations would have the tools to create music without having to wait for Clint Eastwood to discover them.

In 2022, when she was diagnosed with ALS, she still found ways to communicate and inspire. Even as her voice was taken from her, her impact remained loud. She lived through her music, her students, and through every person who has ever whispered her lyrics in the dark, thinking about someone they probably shouldn’t.

The Playlist That Lives Forever

If you’re looking to honor Flack’s legacy, the best way to do it is to crank up the volume, close your eyes, and let yourself feel everything.

Start with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"—but be warned, it will make you nostalgic for memories you don’t even have. Move on to "Killing Me Softly"—because it’s a rite of passage. If you’re feeling bold, dive into "Feel Like Makin’ Love", and if that doesn’t make you feel some kind of way, you might actually be dead inside.

And if you’ve ever had an almost love—the kind that was so close but never quite happened—just put on "The Closer I Get to You" and prepare to spiral.

Saying Goodbye to a Voice That Defined Love and Heartache

Flack’s passing marks the end of an era, but her music is immortal. She leaves behind a discography that isn’t just legendary—it’s a survival kit for the soul. Whether you need a song to cry to, a melody to dance to, or an excuse to text someone you shouldn’t, she’s got you covered.

Her voice wasn’t just beautiful—it was an emotional weapon. It made you believe in things, feel things, and relive things. And that’s why Roberta Flack isn’t really gone.

She’ll always be there, in the background of a candlelit dinner, in the echo of an old record player, and in the voice of every shower singer who thinks they can hit those notes.