Minnie never got the chance to grow old, but she sure is a beautiful singer.

She was hitting those high notes long before we ever heard of Mariah.

This song brings tears to my eyes too. Especially when she sings her daughter's name at the end, "Maya, Maya, Maya"..her daughter Maya Rudolph, a famous actress comedian now, but just a little girl back then.

She passed at at 31 from cancer she was amazing. it's ok Shawn crying is a beautiful emotion never be afraid to show your tender side. awesome reaction.

RIP Minnie. I'm glad people are still discovering her music.

This song is so sweet and to add to it at the end she repeats her daughters name Maya; what is so sad is she was dealing with cancer and would die from it.... Her daughter is a pretty well known star name Maya Rudolph who is known for her comedy...

Illiness and Death: On August 24, 1976, Riperton revealed on The Tonight Show that she had undergone a mastectomy due to breast cancer.[4] At the time of her diagnosis, Riperton found out her cancer had already spread to the lymphatic system, and she was given about six months to live.[4] She continued touring in 1977 and 1978, and she became the national spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society's 1978-79 campaign.[4] During the recording of her final album, Minnie, her cancer progressed to the point that she was in a great deal of pain.[4] Extreme lymphedema immobilized her right arm in early 1979. In her final singing appearances on television (most notably on the Mike Douglas Show), her right arm remained in a fixed position during her performances.[4] Near her death, in concert, she changed the end of "Lovin' You", "Maya, Maya, Maya" to "Maya, Maya, Ringo, Maya." Ringo was her nickname for her son, Marc. By mid-June, Riperton was confined to bed. She entered Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on July 10. On Thursday, July 12 at 10:00 am, she died in the arms of her husband. That Sunday, following a funeral service attended by more than five hundred mourners, Riperton was interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. Her epitaph is the opening line of her most famous song: "Lovin' you is easy 'cause you're beautiful".

Don't you wish you were around in the 70s to listen to this and more on the radio? Yes, the radio. It was the one and only thing you had so you could escape to other places or just to bring you joy. Minnie is beautiful.

when u r deeply in love, this song captures that child like, not a care in the world feeling you have, like floating on a cloud all day. R.I.P. Minnie, gone way too soon

Baby's Breathe in her hair. Husband on guitar. She left us a couple years later from cancer. She is missed no doubt about it.

WOW...they just don't write songs like this anymore. So nice to hear a female sing to men like this; I think men need to hear this love. Go ahead Shawn and bring up the tears; I love your humanity.

Minnie had a voice like no one else. She had a daughter who went on to become a regular on Saturday Night Live, Maya Rudolph.

This is the song every man wants his lady to sing to him. RIP Minnie

Brings tears to my eyes too. Such an angelic voice gone too soon. She was 31 when she lost her battle with breast cancer. I remember my mother crying when she heard the news

Awesome beautiful song by Minnie Riperton. The bearded gentleman playing the guitar is a famous record producer Richard Rudolph.They had 2 children, a boy and a girl. They had been married for 9 years before she died in 1979 at the young age of 31 from breast cancer.👍👍❤️😢😥

R.I.P. sweet Lady. Your music will live on!!

I never witness my father cry until one day after this Singer died of cancer a few months or years right after she did this Song & another beautiful song called I believe "back down memory lane" 🌼🌺 Please listen to it soon. God gives Men & women tear glands to show Love, mercy & relieve pain of life. Dude or anyone is okay to cry!

Your husband’s reaction is priceless. This just shows how deeply he feels and loves. You both are the power couple! God bless!!!!

One of the most beautiful voices to ever exist, definitely in the top 5. the live version in the "midnight special" show is also amazing. "Memory lane" is another magnificent title from this great lady.🖐️🇨🇵

She was number one in 1974 with this song. Unfortunately, breast cancer took her away in 1979 at the age of 31. His album "Perfect Angel", which included this song was produced by Stevie Wonder. Saludos.

Minnie wrote this for her sweet baby girl who was Maya Rudolph! That’s Maya’s Dad on guitar.

You are a lucky woman!!! Now THATS a real man!!!!! Keep on allowing us to share your joy

She died very young. Her voice was ABSURD. Amazing.

One of greatest female singers ever.. Ur Ur greatly missed by the world. R.P.I.

We lost this beautiful angel way too early to cancer. Her voice was the best I have ever heard.

Real men are the ones who are man enough to allow their feelings to show like this. Minnie has the power to bring anyone to tears.

Beautiful song . R.I.P Minnie. The guy in the video was her husband .👍👍❤

Poor Minnie died soon after with cancer, Her voice was her legacy to the world. You guys were excellent reactors to this

Purest example of the beauty of femininity I've probably ever seen, tears right through you Shawn, Me too.

I rarely see Shawn speechless!!! Beautiful song and singing!

Shawn your just fine because Real Men Cry and it's great to see the Love You Have For Your Wife ♥️

Wow. This reaction made me cry. This is a perfect example of the power of music! loved it. Thank you and Thank you to Minnie for her soulful sweet beauty!

I wish our society didn't make we men feel embarrassed to show emotion.......never apologize for having feelings. ♥

I remember when Minnie released this album, everyone was amazed🤩 by her high octave range. When she passed away at 31 from cancer, all her fans were devastated 😥. She was such a beautiful soul🙏🏾👵🏿💕🕊

I know there's a live performance that she did before she passed - she tried to lift her arm and couldn't. That was so heartbreaking to see. May she rest in peace

It's about loving, showing your love and telling others you love them. 😘

Minnie uses the whistle register, the highest possible vocal register, in this song. Another fine vocal example is in the aria "Queen of the Night" from Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute". kzfaq.info/get/bejne/j9tymKWb1rG3d4U.html

An angelic voice that was taken from us far too soon.

Believe it or not, her LIVE version on The Midnight Special is even more mind-blowing...she hits HIGHER notes!!!! I don't think Shawn could take it!!! Only Minnie can bring tears to a brother's eyes. Ain't no shame in it!!!

I have not heard this song since its release in 1975. It played every morning on the radio. I absolutely loved the song and her voice.

The earth has a empty space. Thankful for the music.

A lovely soul who was taken from us way to soon. She left us with a jewel of a song that captivated audiences from around the world. Her voice was unlike any artist I have ever heard. And when she hit those high notes... It's to die for. Rest In Peace Minnie. And thanks for the memories.

She is so beautiful there's nothing more beautiful than a woman in her natural self. 💕

This and “for the love of u” by the Isley bros are two of THE MOST beautiful songs EVER MADE!! Bro I’m right there with ya, Minnie was like no other

Minnie is my favorite singer... broke my heart when she passed... I fell in love with her voice. It is so angelic.

I honostly never heard this song before, I never even heard of this singer. But if this song brings Shawn to tears, then I am willing to give it a listen before I read the comments.

Your not the only one who had tears from Minnie Riperton I was reminded of my late wife I knew there would be a reaction when she hit that high note and you gave it

I grew up in the late '50s and thru the '60s. Amazingly talented singers and songwriters would blast out of the radio everyday, everyday, everyday. We were so spoiled and didn't know it.

Bro!! Your reaction to her voice is EXACTLY how you're supposed to feel. She didn't sing with her voice. She sang with her HEART. And that "Maya, Maya, Maya" at the end was for her little girl... Saturday Night Live's Maya Rudolph.

A song to her baby girl who is now a successful comedic actor today. Such a beautiful song.

Minnie Riperton songs: Memory Lane, Inside My Love, Baby I'm Trying to Show you that I Love You, and on and on. She has a big catalog of incredible, beautiful songs.

Shawn made ME cry...well played, handsome, well played.

The live version from 1975 plays the very end of the song and shows how high she could sing in the whistle tone!

Oh I hope Maya Rudolph sees this reaction. I’m sure it would make her heart smile to see that there are still new people learning about the greatness that was her mother.

Rip Minnie i was just a child when you were hitting those note.i watch my Aunt cried when she learned of your passing.

That's the ultimate compliment to her

Her voice was definitely a GIFT from God indeed, it's heavenly to say the least ❤

What a reaction guys. Wasn't that just beautiful? Stop saying Man Up. You cried, you manned up. ❤

That was her husband playing guitar, they wrote this together, sadly she died of cancer at a very young age.

From sounding and looking like a Angel to become a Angel .🙌🏽

Minnie was in a very good band called Rotary Connection before she went solo - try "Stick Together" from her second album

Roberta Flack " The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" ( beautiful which was featured in a Clint Eastwood movie " Play Misty For Me")Also " Killing Me Softly".👍👍❤️

Wow! I knew this is a great performance; it was all over the radio but I don't believe I've ever seen her before. You are right, she's beautiful, as is the song.

She is the mother of Mya Rudolph of SNL. At the end of this song you will hear her say Mya Mya Mya. This is a very special song.

This was such a huge hit in the mid-seventies, all over the radio. And there are other live performances on the internet where she actually sings even higher than she does in this. She had a supernatural voice.

Born in 1947, Riperton grew up in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side. As a child, she studied music, drama and dance at Chicago's Abraham Lincoln Center.[7] In her teen years, she sang lead vocals for the Chicago-based girl group the Gems. Her early affiliation with the Chicago-based Chess Records afforded her the opportunity to sing backing vocals for various established artists such as Etta James, Fontella Bass, Ramsey Lewis, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters. While at Chess, Riperton also sang lead for the experimental rock/soul group Rotary Connection, from 1967 to 1971. On April 5, 1975, Riperton reached the apex of her career with her No. 1 single "Lovin' You". The single was the last release from her 1974 gold album titled Perfect Angel. In January 1976, Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in April, she underwent a radical mastectomy.[4][8] By the time of diagnosis, the cancer had metastasized and she was given about six months to live. Despite the grim prognosis, she continued recording and touring. She was one of the first celebrities to go public with a breast cancer diagnosis, but she did not disclose that she was terminally ill. In 1977, she became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. In 1978, she received the American Cancer Society's Courage Award, which was presented to her at the White House by President Jimmy Carter. Riperton died of breast cancer on July 12, 1979, at the age of 31.

Went to my first concert to see Seals and Croft in 1975. (Check out Diamond Girl, We May Never Pass This Way Again) Minnie Ripperton opened for them. I'd seen her on tv and liked this song. So I pictured her coming out with a white gown and a wreath of flowers on her head like Mother Nature. And she did. Sang this song first. Then out of nowhere, she and her band cut loose with a series of R&B jam session type songs that blew me and my friends away.

This is gotta be one of the most angelic songs ever

RIP beautiful lady

Love this song one of my favorites. Take me back to a simpler place and time. I hope you become to love this soft soulful ballad from yesteryear.

I think that is called if I am right Babies Breath

Thanks for reacting to this song, it's awesome!

This was a beautiful reaction! Shawn, you are ALL man! The depth of your love for Mel is so evident!☮💜

This is really good that You guys chose Minnie Riperton. She had an angelic voice that reach an high octave range few singers can hit. Thanks for posting the beautiful songstress Minnie Riperton.

💖💖💖💖 This is A Simple Beautiful Song that touch your Heart and give you A Warm Feeling. A Beautiful Song from A Beautiful Lady.

Gypsophila or commonly known as baby's breath, I think that is what Minnie has in her hair whilst she sings this little ripper of a song. Her innocent tone makes you double take what she is saying in her lyrics. Which only generates an honest expression. A lot of brides use the flower in their hair. It was especially prominent during the 70/80/90s.

Minnie Riperton definitely put the whistle register on the map! 🌻 I love how she fades out with Maya, Maya, Maya, Maya....so sweet.🌼 edit: Shawn, you know we love your tender heart!💗

A voice like no other.

Minnie simply sounds and looks beautiful.

I was a dancer on Soul Train when that song came out. I was standing just below her. She was effortless hitting those high notes. I was amazed with her voice. You could feel her beautiful sweet spirit. Beautiful simply beautiful!

She was my favorite singer and I cried when she passed away; I also cried for her young family that she loved so much. I was in my teens, I still cry when I hear her songs to this day in my 50’s. Much love to you two!

Tengo 61 años. Soy panameña y esta canción es un himno de amor que no me canso de escu Har, disfrutar y llorar. Que lástima que no nos pudo seguir cantando en vida y escuchar UNA DE LAS VOCES MÁS PRIVILEGIADAS Y DULCES DE ESTE MUNDO.

Beautiful voice, love this song!

Minnie led to Mariah Carey, leading to Ariana Grande, leading to Morissette Amon, new queen of whistles. Many other women-simgers covered this. MR was a firestarter of whistle notes. 🤯 RIP Minnie. She leaves daughter Maya Rudolph here.

Love your reaction, Shawn. A beautiful song - especially those seemingly effortless high notes Minnie sang.

This is of my favorite songs. They were recording, and the discovered the birds in the background after they played it back, and decided to keep them in. That's baby's breath in her hair. I still have her albums. Please react to " Back Down Memory Lane" another beautiful song by Minnie.

I seen Minney Riperton in concert 1975 I was a freshman .RIP sweet lady

So she Passed away when I was around 12 from cancer I believe and I remember seeing it in either the jet magazine or Ebony, and I remember being very emotional and even crying about it. Crazy, supremely gifted may she rest in heaven

I this on 8 track. I will be 50years old on 7 30 72 ,and I grew up listening to all different types of music. Music was played in my home growing up and at my grandparents, and my great parents houses. Much love to you and your family 💕Brandi Modrak 💕❤

Man them 70s love songs is where its at they still the best live to Minnie she was awesome beautiful soul

I cried three or four times today just listening to her records. she's a rare artist who has that effect.

Maya had a whistle voice. Eddy Holman who did Hey There Lonely Girl, very high voice. No one can probably ever duplicate their songs. I loved this in mid 70s still do. Incredible performance!

Oh my this was the ultimate love ballad of the 70’s! I was a teenager when this came out!👏🏼👏🏼

it's so good to see the young people hearing and appreciating the music of my time. I'm 64 by the way.

I ❣️ Minnies Angelic Voice( I 💜 Mayas impersonations!)🤣😭🥰🎶💜

I so love that her husband is behind her playing the guitar and stood by her til she past, RIP

Great music isn't just heard - it's felt.

In 1974 it was a big hit on the radio and she was on soul train back then I used to think she sounds funny when she screem those high notes.

Someone was loving that woman right.

She was amazing and had such a sweet voice. It's OK Dude, a lot of us guys get tears in our eyes when hearing this. And it was EVERYWHERE you went back then. On radio, in the mall, in the grocery store, at your friends house. You just heard this song everywhere. That is her Husband Richard Rudolph playing Guitar in the video. They both wrote this song and many other songs together. She passed away at the too young age of 31 years old, and was said that she died in her husband's arms. He said they were so in love until her death, and that he still felt many years later like a part of him was missing.