Music history has a funny way of flattening out the legacies of our greatest icons. When people talk about Roberta Flack, they immediately jump to the "big three." You know the ones: the hushed, haunting beauty of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," the ubiquitous "Killing Me Softly With His Song," and the breezy, bedroom soul of "Feel Like Makin' Love." It makes sense. Those songs topped charts and defined the 1970s. But if you really want to understand the grit and the groove behind the "Quiet Storm" queen, you have to look at the transition into the 1980s. Specifically, you have to look at Don't Make Me Wait Too Long.
This track is a bit of an outlier in her catalog. It’s not a ballad. It’s not polite. Honestly, it’s one of the few times Roberta really let the disco-funk energy of the late 70s take the wheel, and she did it with a little help from a guy named Stevie Wonder.
The Stevie Wonder Connection
Released in 1979 (and gaining traction into 1980), Don't Make Me Wait Too Long wasn't just a random label-mandated dance track. It was written, produced, and largely played by Stevie Wonder himself. If you listen closely to that snapping, elastic bassline, you can hear Stevie's DNA all over it. There’s a rumor—one that’s been debated in record stores for decades—that Stevie played almost every instrument on the session, though the credits mention heavy hitters like Nathan Watts and Hiram Bullock.
The song appeared on the album Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway. The title of that album is actually heartbreaking once you know the backstory. It was supposed to be their second full duets album. But during the recording process in January 1979, Donny Hathaway tragically fell to his death from the 15th floor of the Essex House hotel in New York.
Roberta was devastated. They had just finished "Back Together Again" and "You Are My Heaven." Instead of scrapping the project, she pushed through, turning the album into a tribute to her friend. Don't Make Me Wait Too Long became the standout solo moment on a record defined by loss.
Why the Song Slaps Differently
Most Roberta Flack songs feel like a candlelit dinner. This one feels like the after-party. It starts with this infectious, whispered intro from Stevie Wonder himself, urging the listener to get into the groove.
- The Vocals: Roberta doesn't over-sing. She never does. She uses this cool, detached delivery that actually makes the uptempo beat feel more sophisticated.
- The Background Singers: You’ve got a young Luther Vandross and Gwen Guthrie providing the "oohs" and "aahs." It’s basically a masterclass in R&B vocal arrangement.
- The Arrangement: It’s a 12-inch DJ’s dream. The way it builds from a simple synth pulse into a full-blown orchestral disco climax is pure 1979 magic.
Despite all that pedigree, it wasn't a massive Pop hit. It peaked at #44 in the UK and did okay on the R&B charts, but it never reached the legendary status of her earlier work. That’s a crime.
The Tragic Context of the 1979/1980 Era
People forget how weird the music industry was at this moment. Disco was "dying" (or being murdered by rock radio), and R&B was shifting into a glossier, more synthesized sound. Roberta was navigating this while mourning Donny Hathaway.
Their partnership was one of the most creatively fertile in history. When they sang together, it wasn't just two people harmonizing; it was a conversation. Losing Donny meant Roberta had to find a new way to project her voice. Working with Stevie Wonder on Don't Make Me Wait Too Long gave her a different kind of armor. It was fun. It was energetic. It was a way to keep moving when the world felt very heavy.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that Roberta Flack "fell off" after the mid-70s. That’s just lazy history. If you actually dig into her late-70s output, she was experimenting. She was incorporating more fusion, more electronics, and deeper grooves.
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Don't Make Me Wait Too Long is the bridge between the folk-soul Roberta of the early days and the 80s adult-contemporary powerhouse she would become with Peabo Bryson. It’s the sound of an artist refusing to stay in the "ballad" box.
Why You Should Listen to it Right Now
If you're only spinning her "Greatest Hits" albums, you're missing the funk. This track belongs on every "Cookout Classics" or "Sophisticated Soul" playlist. It has that rare quality of being both a "head-nodder" and a genuine piece of musical craftsmanship.
Sadly, we lost Roberta’s voice to an ALS diagnosis a few years back, and she passed away in early 2025. It makes tracks like this feel even more precious. It’s a reminder of her range. She wasn't just the lady who sang the sad songs; she was a classically trained prodigy who could hold her own against Stevie Wonder’s heaviest funk arrangements.
How to Experience This Track Today
Don’t just stream the radio edit. To get the full effect of Don't Make Me Wait Too Long, you need to track down the 12-inch version or the 2006 remaster. The low end on the bass is much warmer, and you can really hear the interplay between the percussion and Roberta’s voice.
- Check the Credits: Look for the 1980 Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway LP. It’s a short album—only seven tracks—but every single one is a heavy hitter.
- Listen for Luther: Try to isolate Luther Vandross’s voice in the background. It’s a "once you hear it, you can’t unhear it" moment.
- Contextualize: Play it back-to-back with Stevie Wonder’s Hotter Than July. You’ll hear exactly where the inspiration came from.
The song is a masterclass in restraint. It’s dance music for people who appreciate the spaces between the notes. Give it a spin and stop making your ears wait for the good stuff.