Flack and Hathaway were both solo artists on the Atlantic roster who'd enjoyed critical acclaim, but Flack had enjoyed limited commercial success. Both had attended Howard University, although Flack's attendance there pre-dated Hathaway's. The singers' careers had overlapped, however: Flack had included Hathaway compositions on her First Take and Chapter Two albums, with the latter also featuring Hathaway as pianist, arranger and background vocalist. It was Jerry Wexler who suggested that a joint venture might consolidate Flack and Hathaway's popularity.
The first single from Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway was a version of "You've Got a Friend" recorded before the single release of the James Taylor version: both tracks debuted on the Hot 100 dated May 29, 1971 — marking Flack's first chart appearance — and, although Taylor's version reached #1, the Flack/Hathaway duet ascended as high as #29 and was a top ten R&B hit at #8. (The B-side, "Gone Away," was a Chapter Two track written by Hathaway.)
The second single from the duets album was a remake of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" that became a #30 R&B hit, peaking on the Hot 100 at #71.
It was the album's third single "Where Is the Love" — released in April 1972, almost a year after the album itself — that would be the smash hit, largely due to Flack having had her solo career breakthrough with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".
Although Hathaway had enjoyed more solo success than had Flack prior to their teaming up, his subsequent solo career was desultory, with no high-profile success prior to his re-teaming with Flack for "The Closer I Get to You" in 1978. Hathaway had recorded two songs for a second duet album with Flack — that became the Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway album — at the time of his death on January 13, 1979.
Where Is The Love?
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love
You said you'd give to me
Soon as you were free
Where is the love
You told me that you didn't love him
And you were gonna say goodbye
But if you really didn't mean it
Why did you have to lie
Where is the love
You said was mine, all mine
Till the end of time
Was it just a lie
Where is the love
If you have had a sudden change of heart
I wish that you would tell me so
Don't leave me hangin' on to promises
You've got to let me know
Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Oh, how I wish I never met you
I guess it must have been my fate
To fall in love with someone else's love
All I can do is wait
That's all I can do, yeah, yeah, yeah
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love (where is the love)
Where is the love (where is the love)
The song "Where Is The Love" is a duet by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway that was released in 1972. It is a soulful, emotional ballad that expresses the disappointment and heartbreak of a one-sided relationship. The repeated refrain of "Where is the love" is a poignant reminder of the lack of commitment and affection in the relationship.
The first verse alludes to a promise of love that was made by the other person, but has yet to be fulfilled. The singer is left wondering if they will ever receive the love that was promised to them. The second verse confronts the other person's lies and contradictory actions, leaving the singer confused and hurt. The refrain is repeated multiple times throughout the song, emphasizing the search for the love that is missing from the relationship.
The bridge shifts the tone of the song, expressing regret for falling in love with someone who is unable to reciprocate those feelings. The singer is resigned to waiting for the love that may never come. The song ends with a final repetition of the refrain, underscoring the unresolved question of where the love has gone.
Overall, "Where Is The Love" is a moving portrayal of the pain and confusion that come with unrequited love. Through the imagery and emotion of the lyrics, Flack and Hathaway convey a sense of longing and heartbreak that is both universal and deeply personal.
Line by Line Meaning
Where is the love
Asking where the promised love went
You said you'd give to me
You promised to give it to me
Soon as you were free
As soon as you were available
Will it ever be
Wondering if it will ever come
You told me that you didn't love him
You said you didn't love someone else
And you were gonna say goodbye
You were planning to leave them
But if you really didn't mean it
If it wasn't true
Why did you have to lie
Why did you deceive me
You said was mine, all mine
You claimed it was only for me
Till the end of time
Forever
Was it just a lie
Was it untrue
If you have had a sudden change of heart
If you had a change in feelings
I wish that you would tell me so
I want you to be honest with me
Don't leave me hangin' on to promises
Don't keep me waiting for promised love
You've got to let me know
Please inform me
Oh, how I wish I never met you
Regretting meeting you
I guess it must have been my fate
Thinking that it was predetermined
To fall in love with someone else's love
To love someone who's already taken
All I can do is wait
My only option is to wait
Where is the love (where is the love)
Reiterating the question
Where is the love (where is the love)
Reiterating the question
Where is the love (where is the love)
Reiterating the question
Where is the love (where is the love)
Reiterating the question
Where is the love (where is the love)
Reiterating the question
Where is the love (where is the love)
Reiterating the question
Where is the love (where is the love)
Reiterating the question
Where is the love (where is the love)
Reiterating the question
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RALPH MAC DONALD, WILLIAM SALTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mangojulie123
This song is 50 years old! TIMELESS voices. REAL musical talent! Who's still loving it in 2023?
@ralphlipson7350
I am among those who still love it (born in 1950)
@kellyfairchild7383
Still loving it! 😀
@Shortee7274
I'm still listening & i still love it (Born in 1974)
@TheOiler1989
Summer 1972--Great time in a great year.
@tyrondavis6727
I do... I was born in 1977
I'm five years too late..ouch! sorry!
But good 1972 song... And loving it.
@lisalove9204
Who’s still here with me 2022 👋🏽wata beautiful song
@andrews127
I am honey enjoying this masterpiece.
@ellove370
I'm here and will always love 💕 that song
@TheAgentAaron
I was born in 1980 and absolutely love this.