Flack was the first solo artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year on two consecutive years: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" won at the 1973 Grammys as did "Killing Me Softly with His Song" at the 1974 Grammys.
Flack performs in the areas of jazz, soul, and folk, and is best known for singles such as "Killing Me Softly with His Song", which won the 1974 Grammy for Record of the Year, and "Where Is the Love", which was one of her many duets with Donny Hathaway.
Flack began her professional career recording for Atlantic Records without much success, until one of her earliest recordings, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (1969), was included on the soundtrack to Clint Eastwood's directorial debut Play Misty for Me; it became a number-one hit in 1972.
We Can Work It Out
Roberta Flack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do I have to keep on talking till I can’t go on?
While you see it your way,
Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.
You can get it wrong and still you think that it’s all right.
Think of what i’m saying,
We can work it out and get it straight, or say good night.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.
Life is very short, and there’s no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend.
I have always thought that it’s a crime,
So I will ask you once again.
Try to see it my way,
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong.
While you see it your way
There’s a chance that we might fall apart before too long.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.
Life is very short, and there’s no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend.
I have always thought that it’s a crime,
So I will ask you once again.
Try to see it my way,
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong.
While you see it your way
There’s a chance that we might fall apart before too long.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.
In "We Can Work It Out," Roberta Flack urges her lover to see their relationship from her perspective in order to save their love from ending. She implores him to think about what he's saying, warning that he can get it wrong and still think that everything is okay. Flack then emphasizes that life is too short for fussing and fighting, revealing that she's always believed that these behaviors are a crime in relationships. She ends the song as she began, with the plea to work out their issues together and make their love last.
Overall, this song emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding in relationships. Flack recognizes that each partner can have their own perspective, but encourages them to find common ground and make compromises in order to save their love.
Line by Line Meaning
Try to see it my way,
Roberta is asking her partner to understand her perspective on things.
Do I have to keep on talking till I can’t go on?
Roberta wonders if she needs to continue explaining until her partner finally understands.
While you see it your way,
Roberta acknowledges her partner’s perspective.
Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone.
Roberta warns her partner that sticking to their views might hurt their relationship.
We can work it out,
Roberta proposes that they can overcome their differences.
Think of what you’re saying.
Roberta is telling her partner to consider the words that might hurt their relationship.
You can get it wrong and still you think that it’s alright.
Roberta criticizes her partner for not owning up to the hurtful things they say.
Think of what I’m saying,
Roberta is trying to convince her partner to listen to her solution.
We can work it out and get it straight, or say goodnight.
Roberta implies that either they agree on something or break up.
Life is very short, and there’s no time
Roberta realizes that life is brief and does not want to waste it arguing.
For fussing and fighting, my friend.
Roberta is telling her partner that arguing is not worth losing a relationship over.
I have always thought that it’s a crime,
Roberta believes that fighting is a waste of time.
So I will ask you once again.
Roberta is trying to reinforce the message that they should work things out.
There’s a chance that we might fall apart before too long.
Roberta warns her partner that they should work things out before it’s too late.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Visai Lor
absolutely love this version! This might be the first album i BUY in years
ShaKelMuzik
I love this song she has a beautiful voice and she sings without singing, that says alot considering there not many talented singers in the industry.
1sm08
A beautiful offspring of a Beatles' classic. Just let it move you, lift you up, no need to hate on anyone or anything.
LEANNE MOREAU
I can't wait for the CD to release officially on Feb 7th! You are going to connect over 5 + generations with this album. The world is waiting!
pseudosun
This is the best thing i've heard in a long time. Her voice just cuts right through me. Wow. Better with age.
Jim Dayton
Coolest rendition of this song I've heard yet!
Adam HENLEY
Probally the best Cover i have ever heard her voice made those simple Lyrics have meaning
Wendy Dalgetty
Loved you years ago and love you now Roberta - awesome cover....Thank you for doing it..and I absolutely love the Beatles as well - was very involved in their Fan Club as a teenager...so Thank You Again...
Ron Harris
Roberta Flack is such a gift to this world. Her interpretations are magnificent. I can't wait for the new album. We can work it out is brilliant!
TheKilo0123
Wow!!! great tune!!!