THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
251-Roberta Flack-The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.
1972-Number 14 single.
Best Bit-At 3.32.It is said that the songs writer Ewan MacColl disliked the many cover versions of his song.He had a special section in his record collection for them entitled ‘The Chamber of Horrors.’
MacColl(1915-1989) wrote the song in 1957 for(and probably about) his future wife Folk singer Peggy Seeger,MacColl is the father of the late Kirsty MacColl.
The song was brought to the attention of a much wider audience in 1971 when Clint Eastwood used it in the first film he made as a director,’Play Misty For Me'(see also best songs 706.) Eastwood had heard the Roberta Flack version on the radio and wanted to use it for the films love scene(I have posted the film scene here,) he paid $2000 for the songs rights.
Roberta Flack(see also best songs 541) originally recorded the song for her debut Album ‘The First Time’ in 1969,after the success of the film Atlantic Records released the song which went on to become the best selling song on Billboard in 1972, spending six weeks at Number 1.
‘The first time ever I lay with you and felt your heart beat close to mine.’
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The countdown continues tomorrow at 1.0.pm.