Woodstock Performer Melanie Safka Dead At 76

HuffPost ^ | January 24, 2024 | David Moye

[Fido969]

She was a treasure.

[US_MilitaryRules]

One of my favorites to this day! Its in my spotify saved playlist. Love that song. RIP Melanie! I’ll play it few times today in her memory.

[blackdog]

https://youtu.be/fsjsQH3Kygw?si=zgzspj5xZyYdMe4s

[Fido969]

You know, the fast soul/psychedelic bass drives that song, and contrasts with the vocals perfectly.

[Noumenon]

“My generation is dropping like flies.”

I'm 73 and I don't want to think about it.

[US_MilitaryRules]

That was a naughty song?

[JCL3]

Crank it up. Melanie & The Edwin Hawkins Singers LIVE 1970
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ52lk9wjZI

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I'd completely forgotten "Brand New Key." I think that was her biggest hit.

That was one of those fun, light-hearted, off-beat novelty songs that were so popular in that era. There was SO much creativity then and the studios produced those novelty songs. There's nothing like that today where every song sounds just like every other song.

"Thinly veiled double-entendre" -- no kidding. "I ride ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car. Don't go too fast, but go pretty far."

And "I got a brand new pair of roller skates, you've got a brand new key. I think we should get together and try them out and see."

[af_vet_1981]

Besides her songs, what impresses me is she had one husband and three children who loved her.

Also interesting, from Wikipedia,

Melanie identified herself politically as a libertarian, stating: "I'm a total Libertarian, and I am not a Democrat, a Socialist, or a Republican."

[Eccl 10:2]

Please use “/s” to denote sarcasm

8^)

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“That was a naughty song?”

It was an innocent era full of double-entendres. Remember that the Playboy magazine at the store was kept on the top shelf behind solid cardboard covers or you had to ask for it from behind the counter. There was no way for pubescent kids to get their hands on porn or condoms.

Adults worked hard to keep kids innocent as long as they could. Remember this was the tail-end of the Hayes Code era, too. The Hayes Code was a set of guidelines for self-censorship of content that was applied to most motion pictures released by major studios in the United States from 1934 to 1968.

People born after that era would have a hard time imagining such a time.

[circlecity]

My favorite of hers was “Look What They’ve Done to my Song, Ma”

[Eccl 10:2]

Yeah, Brand New Key was an odd, light-hearted follow up to the very powerful, heavy gospel, anthem-like Lay Down, a highlight of the culturally epic Woodstock.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“one husband and three children who loved her.”

Indeed. That was such a wonderful note her kids wrote (I posted it in the HuffPo article at the top).

[Eccl 10:2]

My favorite of hers was “Look What They’ve Done to my Song, Ma”

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

“Ils ont changer ma chanson, Ma...”

[ProtectOurFreedom]

What a great interview before the song. She was so cute, so innocent, so demure and very pretty. Thanks for the link.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“Her song with the Hawkins Gospel Singers is nothing less than awe inspiring.”

YES. I posted the link to “Lay Down” in the original post. What a magnificent combination with her vocals and the gospel singers in the background.

[Luke21]

When B.J. Thomas died, I stayed up all night playing his songs.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

That’s a fantastic live performance in the Netherlands with the whole group of gospel singers. Wow.

People wore dresses, coats and ties to performances!

[Dr. Sivana]

I knew that was a naughty song, even though I was a not quite a teenager!

I was thick. I was wondering what kind of kid buys a roller skate key when he doesn't have roller skates? So I thought it was a kiddy song.