MELANIE SAFKA - 3/02/1947 - 23/01/2024

Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk (February 3, 1947 – January 23, 2024), professionally known as 

                          "Melanie, or Melanie Safka, was an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for the 1971–72 global hit "Brand New Key", plus her 1970 version of "Ruby Tuesday", which was originally written and recorded by the Rolling Stones, her composition "Look What They've Done to My Song Ma", and her 1970 international breakthrough hit "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" (inspired by her experience of performing at the 1969 Woodstock music festival).

                           No talent who came out of Woodstock and who continued actively performing more than a quarter century later remained as closely associated with the 1960s and "flower power" than Melanie. Born Melanie Safka in Astoria, Queens, in 1947, she made her first public appearance at age four on a radio show, later studying at the New York Academy of Fine Arts."

01. Summer Of Love II    4:35
02. Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)    7:39
03. Ring The Living Bell    5:02
04. What Have They Done To My Song, Ma?    4:03
05. Brand New Key    2:24
06. Love To Lose Again    4:34
07. Lover's Cross    4:24
08. Ruby Tuesday    4:34
09. The Nickel Song    3:44
10. Bobo's Party    3:51
11. The Good Book    2:30
12. Christopher Robin    2:36
13. Animal Crackers    2:14
14. Psychotherapy (Live)    5:12
15. Beautiful People    3:35
16. Together Alone    4:45
17. Leftover Wine    6:14
18. Peace Will Come (According To Plan)    3:19
19. I Will Get Over    3:37

KOSTAS over at Urbanaspirines has written and posted a fine tribute. We will miss her 

Melanie - Obit bio and Greatest Hits here

 

No information on the cause of death was immediately given. But Melanie — full name Melanie Safka — had been in the studio earlier this month working on a new record of cover songs, “Second Hand Smoke,” for the Cleopatra label; it would have been her 32nd album, the label said.

Her three children, Leilah, Jeordie, and Beau Jarred, posted a message on Facebook, writing: “We are heartbroken, but want to thank each and every one of you for the affection you have for our Mother, and to tell you that she loved all of you so much! She was one of the most talented, strong and passionate women of the era and every word she wrote, every note she sang reflected that. Our world is much dimmer, the colors of a dreary, rainy Tennessee pale with her absence today, but we know that she is still here, smiling down on all of us, on all of you, from the stars.” Variety Mag

She was a mother a grandmother and great grandmother they told us

 

Melanie

Melanie Safka : What Have They Done To My Song 1976 | COLOURING THE PAST - FACEBOOK

 

Melanie Safka

Look What They done . . .

On this date in 1976, MELANIE performed her 1970 song WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO MY SONG MA on British music show 'Supersonic' (Jan 10, 1976)

When Melanie Safka, known professionally simply as Melanie, took to the stage at Woodstock in 1969, few knew who the timid 22-year-old folk singer was. She waited anxiously for her unexpected moment in the spotlight after other bands refused to play in the pouring rain. The unknown artist finally got her chance to perform inspirational tracks like "Beautiful People" in front of the massive audience. Though nervous, Melanie sang with astounding courage that moved the crowd to light candles across the rain-soaked hillside. This profound experience led her to write the iconic song “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” in 1970, backed by the influential Edwin Hawkins Singers.

The following year, Melanie crafted another influential folk-pop protest song that sharply criticized the music industry for exploiting artists. Originally titled “What Have They Done to My Song Ma,” it was often covered by other artists as “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma” after the distinct opening lyrics. Melanie collaborated on the tuning with painter and musician H.M. Saffer II, who worked for Warner Brothers Productions. It was featured as the B-side to her cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday” in 1970 before inclusion on her album Candles in the Rain.

While it did not make a huge splash on American charts, “What Have They Done to My Song Ma” resonated with audiences abroad. It climbed to Number 39 on the UK charts and broke into the Top 20 in Norway and Wallonia, Belgium. Beyond the initial success, the song stood the test of time as one of Melanie’s most covered tracks. Artists like Nina Simone, Ray Charles, the New Seekers, and even Miley Cyrus have all lent their unique musical interpretations to the folk ballad over the years.

Melanie’s breakthrough moment at Woodstock was pivotal for her early career. She appreciated the opportunity but felt that the subsequent media frenzy and label pressures changed her music’s authenticity. In a 2019 interview with Northern Life, Melanie reflected that after Woodstock, “All of a sudden, I had managers and agents and record company executives all having their say. I didn’t like that at all.”

She elaborated on this loss of control and commercialization in the lyrics of “What Have They Done to My Song Ma”:

"Look what they done to my song

But maybe it'll all be alright ma

Maybe it'll all be okay

Well if the people are buying tears

I'll be rich someday ma

Look what they done to my song

Ils ont change ma chanson, ma

Ils ont change ma chanson

Look what they done to my song ma

Look what they done to my song ma

Well they tied it up in a plastic bag

And turned it upside down ma

Look what they done to my song"

The folk-laden track called out music publishers for seeing beloved songs as products rather than art. It also incorporated commentary on using music for commercial jingles and advertising. She specifically references the iconic 1960’s Lifebuoy Soap ad in the lyrics. Even in 2019, Melanie remained staunchly opposed to companies exploiting songs, reflected in the name of her independent label Article 27 Records. The title references Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that advocates for fair cultural rights protections.

While some artists shy away from covers, Melanie has fully embraced other musicians’ renditions of “What Have They Done to My Song Ma.” Their interpretations have honored her commentary and kept it relevant across generations. In 1972, legendary Ray Charles released an acclaimed cover version as “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma” that breathed new life into Melanie’s timely commentary. Charles’ smooth vocals provided an inventive take for R&B audiences. That same year, European pop singer Daliah Lavi had her own smash hit across the continent with a cover sung completely in German.

In subsequent decades, stars like Nina Simone and Miley Cyrus have also offered their own spins. Melanie even joined Cyrus on stage in 2015 to perform an intergenerational duet of the folk classic. The prolific number of covers has provided tangible proof that, even over 50 years later, audiences still feel connected to the frustrations so eloquently captured in Melanie’s lyrics protesting commercialization. Rather than going out of style, it has proven to resonate across genres and with music lovers young and old.

https://www.facebook.com/Colouringpast

Melanie . . . . . . . just because

continuing the tradition of artists whose work we bought when they came out, here’s a tribute to Melanie Safka  . . . . . Brand New Key . . . . . . . . . and

 

Still going strong, the immaculate and enigmatic Melanie Safka

Ruby Tuesday

 

 The Nickel Song

 

Beautiful People

Look What They Done To My Song, Ma

Look What They Done (with Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions)

Lay Down (Full Version)