"Killing Me Softly with His Song" is a 1972 song composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman after she was inspired by a 1971 Don McLean performance. After Lieberman's song version was released, it did not make any music charts.

Lieberman was 20 and went out with her friend Michele Willens to see Don McLean perform at the Troubadour nightclub in Los Angeles, CA. At the club, Lieberman said she was strongly affected by McLean singing of the song "Empty Chairs". The song spurred her to write poetic notes on a paper napkin while he was singing. Willens confirmed that Lieberman was "scribbling notes" on a napkin as soon as McLean began singing the song. After the concert, Lieberman phoned Gimbel to read him her notes and to tell him that McLean's performance reaching deep inside her world. Lieberman's description reminded Gimbel of a song title that contained the words "killing" and "softly". Gimbel used Lieberman's notes to create song lyrics. Gimbel passed the lyrics to Fox; he set them to music. A song was then released.

According to McLean's official website, McLean (b. 1945) is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for the songs "American Pie" (1971) and "Vincent" (1972). In his early career, he played folk music. In 1969, he gave talks and played concerts to help with environmental issues. His first album was "Tapestry" (1970). Today, he is still singing and doing charity work.

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