Co Writes "And So It Goes" With Roberta Flack Showcasing Songwriting Talent

On 01/11/1988, singer Roberta Flack released Oasis, an album that included the song “And So It Goes,” co written by Maya Angelou. The collaboration highlighted Angelou’s work beyond poetry and memoir, demonstrating her involvement in songwriting alongside her literary career. The track appeared as part of Flack’s studio album issued in late 1988. The partnership between Angelou and Flack brought together Angelou’s lyrical style with Flack’s contemporary R&B and soul sound. Angelou contributed to the song’s words, drawing on themes consistent with her broader writing, including reflection, relationships, and emotional resilience. The album Oasis featured a mix of ballads and mid tempo tracks, with “And So It Goes” included among the original compositions. Angelou’s participation in the project reflected her long standing connections within music, theater, and performance. Before gaining international recognition as a memoirist, she had worked as a singer and performer, and throughout her career she occasionally collaborated with musicians. Her co writing credit on “And So It Goes” added to her multidisciplinary contributions across literature, stage, and recorded music.