Roberta Flack’s 1972 rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” transcended its folk origins to become a timeless classic, etching itself into the cultural landscape and solidifying Flack’s place as a soul icon. Originally written by Ewan MacColl in 1957 for Peggy Seeger, the song remained relatively obscure until Flack’s soulful interpretation breathed new life into it. Her version, featured in the Clint Eastwood film *Play Misty for Me*, catapulted to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and remained on the charts for an impressive 19 weeks. It ultimately earned Flack the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1973.
Flack transformed MacColl’s simple ballad into a lush and emotive masterpiece. Her delicate phrasing, punctuated by extended, breathy notes and gospel-infused inflections, conveyed a depth of emotion rarely captured in popular music. While MacColl’s original was a sweet, albeit straightforward, love song, Flack’s version became an anthem of profound romantic connection, imbued with a sense of awe and wonder. The lyrics, describing the overwhelming impact of first love, resonated with listeners who found in Flack’s voice an echo of their own experiences of profound intimacy and vulnerability.
The song’s success was not without controversy. Some criticized the song’s use in a film featuring a stalker, arguing it romanticized obsessive behavior. Others found the slow tempo and extended length indulgent. However, the overwhelming response was one of adoration. Critics praised Flack’s vocal performance as breathtaking and emotionally resonant. Audiences connected with the raw vulnerability and sincerity in her delivery, embracing the song as a soundtrack for their own love stories. “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” became a staple at weddings and romantic occasions, cementing its status as a timeless ballad of enduring love.
