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Roberta Flack
About The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a 1957 folk song written by British political singer/songwriter Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger, who later became his wife. At the time, the couple were lovers, although MacColl was still married to Joan Littlewood. Seeger sang the song when the duo performed in folk clubs around Britain. During the 1960s, it was recorded by various folk singers and became a major international hit for Roberta Flack in 1972, winning Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Billboard ranked it as the number one Hot 100 single of the year for 1972.more »
- Year:
- 1969
- 5:22
- 8,536Views
- Playlists:
- #15
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Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
The first time ever I saw your faceI thought the sun rose in your eyesAnd the moon and the stars were the gifts you gaveTo the dark and the endless skies my loveTo the dark and the endless skiesThe first time ever I kissed your mouthI felt the earth move in my handLike the trembling heart of a captive birdThat was there at my command my loveThat was there at my command my loveAnd the first time ever I lay with youI felt your heart so close to mineAnd I knew our joy would fill the earthAnd last 'till the end of time my loveAnd it would last 'till the end of timeThe first time ever I saw your faceYour face, your face
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Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack (born February 10, 1937) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is notable for jazz, soul, R&B, and folk music. Roberta Flack is best known for her Hot 100 #1 singles "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and "Feel Like Makin' Love", as well as "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You", two of her many duets with Donny Hathaway. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" won the 1973 Grammy Record of the Year and "Killing Me Softly with His Song" won the same award at the Grammy Awards of 1974. She and U2 are the only artists to win the award in consecutive years. more »
5 fans
Genre »
Funk / Soul
Style »
Soul
Sheet Music PDF Playlist
Written by: Ewan Maccoll
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Song Origin"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a folk song written by British political singer/songwriter Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger. It is said he wrote it for her to sing when the two were in a long-distance relationship during the late 1950s. |
Love TributeThe song was reportedly written as a gesture of love by MacColl for Seeger, who later became his third wife. This makes it a very personal and intimate piece of music history. |
VariationsOver the years, the song has been covered by various artists across many musical genres but the versions by Ewan MacColl and Roberta Flack are the most popular. |
Roberta Flack's RenditionAmerican singer Roberta Flack's rendition of the song is one of the most famous versions. She reportedly slowed down the tempo of the song, which highlighted its romantic melody and made it a success. |
Hit In The U.SFlack's version of the song became a significant hit in the United States, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1972. |
Grammy AwardsThe song earned Roberta Flack two Grammy Awards in 1973 for Record of the Year and Song of the Year making it one of the most decorated versions of the song. |
Movies and TelevisionThe song has had quite a cinematic history. It was featured in Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut film, “Play Misty for Me” in 1971. This film exposure played a role in its rise in the charts. |
Pop Culture ImpactDue to its popularity, the song has been covered by many famous musicians including Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, Leona Lewis, and Maroon 5's Adam Levine. |
MacColl on Flack's VersionDespite the success of Roberta Flack's version of the song, Ewan MacColl is reported to have disliked the rendition, considering it to be in a style too far removed from folk origins of the song. |
Song DurationThe original version of the song performed by Peggy Seeger lasts about two and a half minutes, while Roberta Flack's version is more than double that at almost five minutes long. This extension further lends itself to the lush and languid emotion evoked by the song. |
Global ImpactThe BBC named "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," in 2003, as Britain's third best song of the 20th century, showcasing its global appeal and timeless impact. |
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