Melanie
Background information
Birth name	Melanie Anne Safka
Also known as	Melanie
Born	February 3, 1947 (1947-02-03) (age 61)
Origin	United States
Genre(s)	Folk, Pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter, Musician
Instrument(s)	Singing, Guitar
Years active	1967 – Present
Website	http://www.melaniesmusic.com

Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk (born February 3, 1947 in Astoria, New York City) is an American singer-songwriter. Events 1112 - Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona and Douce I of Provence marry uniting the fortunes of those two states Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Folk music can have a number of different meanings including Traditional music: The original meaning of the term "folk music" was synonymous Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both A musician is a person who plays or writes Music. Musicians can be classified by their roles in creating or performing music An instrumentalist plays a A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Events 1112 - Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona and Douce I of Provence marry uniting the fortunes of those two states Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Astoria is a Neighborhood in the northwestern corner of the borough of Queens in New York City. The City of New York The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

Usually known professionally as Melanie, she is best known for her hits "Brand New Key," "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," and "Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma. " Brand New Key " is a pop song written by folk singer Melanie ( Melanie Safka) which became a novelty hit in 1971-2 " Melanie has sold over 25 million records over the course of her career.

Contents 1 Early career 2 Later career 3 Personal 4 Cover versions 5 Album discography 6 Hit singles 7 Other credits 8 References 9 External links

Early career

Melanie grew up in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens in New York City. Astoria is a Neighborhood in the northwestern corner of the borough of Queens in New York City. The City of New York ^[1]

She made her first public appearance at the age of four on the radio show Live Like A Millionaire performing the song "Gimme a Little Kiss". She was a student at New York's American Academy of Dramatic Arts when she began singing in the folk clubs of Greenwich Village and signed her first recording contract. The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with campuses located at 120 Madison Avenue in New York City (in a landmark Greenwich Village (ˌgrɛnɪtʃ ˈvɪlɪdʒ often simply called the Village, is a largely residential area on the west side of downtown (southern Manhattan

Initially signed to Columbia Records in the United States, Melanie released two singles on the label. Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company Subsequently she signed with Buddah Records and first found chart success in Europe when her 1969 song "Bobo's Party" reached Number 1 in France. Buddah Records (now known as Buddha Records This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Her debut album received rave reviews from Billboard Magazine which heralded her voice as ". See Billboard (Turkish magazine Billboard is a weekly American Magazine devoted to the Music industry . . wise beyond her years. Her non-conformist approach to the selections on this LP make her a new talent to be reckoned with. "

Later in 1969 Melanie had a hit in the Netherlands with "Beautiful People" before performing at the Woodstock Festival. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands The inspiration for her signature song "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" apparently arose from the Woodstock audience lighting candles during her set. A gospel-boosted genuine one-off, that combined high drama with Melanie's trademark hippie sincerity, the recording became a hit in Europe, Australia and the United States in the spring and summer of 1970. Gospel music is Music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life as well as (in terms of the varying music styles to The Hippie Subculture was originally a Youth movement that began in the United States during the early 1960s and spread around the world The B-side of the single featured Melanie's spoken-word track "Candles in the Rain". A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of 7 inch Vinyl records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s "Lay Down" became Melanie's first Top Ten hit in America, peaking at #6 on the Billboard singles chart, and a worldwide success. See Billboard (Turkish magazine Billboard is a weekly American Magazine devoted to the Music industry Later hits included "Peace Will Come (According To Plan)" and a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday". " Ruby Tuesday " is a song recorded by The Rolling Stones in 1966 released in January 1967

In 1970 Melanie was the only artist to brave the court injunction banning the Powder Ridge Rock Festival, playing for the crowd on a homemade stage powered by Mister Softee trucks. The Powder Ridge Rock Festival was scheduled to be held July 30, August 1 and August 2 1970 at Powder Ridge Ski Area in Middlefield Connecticut Mister Softee is a United States -based ice cream truck franchisor popular in the Northeast She also performed at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 where she was introduced by Keith Moon and received four standing ovations. The Isle of Wight Festival is a Music festival which takes place annually on the Isle of Wight, England. Keith John Moon ( August 23, 1946 &ndash September 7, 1978) was the Drummer of the rock group The Who.

Melanie was also the artist who sang to herald in the summer solstice at Glastonbury Fayre (later the Glastonbury Festival) in England in June 1971. For the classical music and theatre festivals co-founded by Rutland Boughton between 1914 and 1926 see Glastonbury Festival (1914-1925 The

After leaving Buddah Records, because they insisted that she produce albums on demand, Melanie formed her own label, Neighborhood Records, in 1971 with her producer-husband Peter Schekeryk. Neighborhood Records (Neighborhood Music Pub Corp was a Record label founded by Melanie Safka and her husband Peter Schekeryk in 1971.

It was on the Neighborhood label that Melanie had her biggest American hit with the novelty-sounding 1972 number one, "Brand New Key" (also mistakenly known as "The Roller Skate Song"). "Brand New Key" sold over three million copies worldwide and was featured in the 1997 movie Boogie Nights. " Brand New Key " is a pop song written by folk singer Melanie ( Melanie Safka) which became a novelty hit in 1971-2 The original motion picture soundtrack to the 1997 film Boogie Nights is a two-disc set released between the end of that same year and the beginning

When first released, Brand New Key was banned by some radio stations due to the lyrics being interpreted as being sexual innuendo:

"I got a brand new pair of roller skates / You got a brand new key / I think that we should get together and try them out you see / I been looking around awhile / You got something for me / Oh! I got a brand new pair of roller skates / You got a brand new key. / I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car / Don't go too fast, but I go pretty far / For somebody who don't drive / I been all around the world / Some people say I've done alright for a girl. . . "

In 1976 Scrumpy and Western band The Wurzels covered "Brand New Key" with substantially rewritten lyrics as "The Combine Harvester". Scrumpy and Western refers humorously to music from England 's West Country that fuses comical folk-style songs often full of Double entendre, with affectionate Adge Cutler and The Wurzels, renamed The Wurzels after Cutler's death are a British Scrumpy and Western band It reached number one on the UK singles charts and stayed there for two weeks. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

The follow-up single to "Brand New Key" was "Ring the Living Bell". " Brand New Key " is a pop song written by folk singer Melanie ( Melanie Safka) which became a novelty hit in 1971-2 To compete with this release, Melanie's former record company released "The Nickel Song" (a song she had recorded whilst still signed to Buddah). Both songs were simultaneous Top 40 hits whilst "Brand New Key" was still on the charts — setting a record for the first female performer to have three Top 40 hits concurrently. Melanie was awarded Billboard's #1 Top Female Vocalist for 1972.

She had another Top 40 hit single in 1973 with "Bitter Bad", a song that marked a slight departure from the hippie sentiments of earlier hits (with lyrics such as "If you do me wrong I'll put your first and last name in my rock n' roll song"). Other chart hits during this period were the self-penned "Together Alone" and a cover of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow". "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" is the title of a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King.

Melanie has been awarded two gold albums (and a gold single for "Brand New Key") and three of her compositions were hits for The New Seekers. The New Seekers were a British / German / Australian pop group, formed in 1969 by Keith Potger after the She is also well-known for her musical adaptations of children's songs, including "Alexander Beetle" and "Christopher Robin".

In 1973 Melanie started to retreat from the spotlight to begin a family. Her daughter Leilah was born that same year. When she became an official UNICEF ambassador in 1972 she agreed to forgo a world tour in favour of raising money for the organisation. The United Nations Children's Fund (or UNICEF) was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946

Later career

In 1976 Melanie released one album on Atlantic Records, Photograph, which was overseen by Ahmet Ertegün. Atlantic Records ( Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American Record label best known for its many recordings of Rhythm & blues, Rock Photograph is an album released by Melanie in 1976 her only release on Atlantic Records. Ahmet Ertegün ( July 31, 1923 &ndash December 14, 2006) was the Turkish American co-founder and executive of Atlantic The album was praised by the New York Times as one of the year's best, although it was largely ignored by the public. It was re-issued on CD in 2005 with an additional disc of unreleased material. In the 1980s the Quaker Oats Company used a version of "Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma" in their commercials for Instant Oatmeal, with the revised lyrics "Look what they've done to my oatmeal". The Quaker Oats Company is an American food conglomerate based in Chicago. In 1989 she won an Emmy Award for writing the lyrics to "The First Time I Loved Forever", the theme song for the TV series Beauty and the Beast.

Melanie has, on average, released around one album a year since 1969. With one exception, her albums have been produced by her husband, Peter Schekeryk. Her three children — Leilah, Jeordie and Beau-Jarred — are also musicians. Beau-Jarred is a guitarist and accompanies his mother on tour.

Melanie's most recent album, Paled by Dimmer Light, was released in 2004. It was co-produced by Peter and Beau-Jarred Schekeryk and includes the songs "To Be the One", "Extraordinary", "Make It Work" and "I Tried to Die Young". In early 2005 most of Melanie's back-catalogue was re-released on the internet-only music label ItsAboutMusic. com. After a series of disagreements the relationship between the artist and the label was severed.

In 2007, Melanie was invited by Jarvis Cocker to perform at the Meltdown Festival at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Jarvis Branson Cocker (born 19 September 1963 is an English musician best known for fronting the band Pulp. Meltdown is an annual English festival held in London, featuring a mix of music art performance and film Royal Festival Hall is a concert dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre in London, England. Her sold-out performance received critical acclaim with The Independent claiming "it was hard to disagree that Melanie has earned her place alongside Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell and Marianne Faithfull in the pantheon of iconic female singers. The Independent is a British compact Newspaper published by Tony O'Reilly 's Independent News & Media. Meltdown was all the better for her presence". The concert was filmed for a DVD entitled Melanie: For One Night Only which was released in October 2007.

Personal

Melanie identifies herself politically as a Libertarian, stating: "I'm a total Libertarian, and I am not a Democrat, a Socialist, or a Republican. Libertarianism is a term used by a broad spectrum of political philosophies which prioritize individual Liberty and seek to minimize or even abolish the "^[2] For a short while, in the beginning of her career, Melanie was a follower of Meher Baba and this influenced many of her songs (such as, "Love to Lose Again" and "Candles in the Rain"). Meher Baba ( Devanāgarī: मेहेर बाबा) (February 25 1894 Merwan Sheriar Irani – January 31 1969 was an Indian mystic and spiritual Over time she became disenchanted with other followers and then disassociated herself from Meher Baba. In 2006 she had a life-altering experience with Amma Mata Amritanandamayi, the "hugging saint" from India that inspired Melanie to write "Motherlove," one of her many more recent recordings. Mātā Amritanandamayī Devi ( Devanagari: माता अमृतानन्‍दमयी born Sudhamani September 27, 1953) is an Indian .

Melanie currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

Cover versions

Many notable artists have covered Melanie's compositions:

• Ray Charles released a cover of "Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma" in 1972. Ray Charles Robinson ( September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his Stage name Ray Charles, was an American The song has also been covered by Billie Jo Spears. Billie Jo Spears (born Billie Jean Spears January 14 1937) is an American Country music singer
• The New Seekers covered several songs; "Look What They've Done to My Song Ma", "Beautiful People" and "The Nickel Song" among them. The New Seekers were a British / German / Australian pop group, formed in 1969 by Keith Potger after the
• In 1971 Mott The Hoople covered "Lay Down" on their Wildlife album. Mott the Hoople were a 1970s English rock band with strong R&B roots and known for being part of the popular Glam rock scene of the early In 1999, American artist Meredith Brooks covered the song with backing vocals by Queen Latifah. Meredith Ann Brooks (born June 12, 1960 in Oregon City Oregon) is an American Singer/songwriter and Guitarist. The song was also covered by Max Sharam in 1995 and became a Top 40 hit in Australia. Max Sharam is an Australian Singer and Songwriter. Max Sharam grew up in rural Victoria in a place called Musical Gully (about 2 hours west of Melbourne
• Vicky Leandros does a Greek version of Lay Down in 1972. Vicky Leandros (born as Vassiliki Papathanasiou on August 23, 1952, now legally Vassiliki von Ruffin) is a Greek singer with
• Emiliana Torrini covered "I Really Loved Harold" on her 1996 album Merman. Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir (born May 16, 1977) is an Icelandic Singer, best known for her 1999 album Love in the Time of She has also recorded a version of "Lay Down".
• The 2003 Australian hip-hop track "The Nosebleed Section" by The Hilltop Hoods sampled "People In The Front Row". For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with The Hilltop Hoods are an Australian hip hop group originating from Adelaide, South Australia. In Music, sampling is the act of taking a portion or sample, of one Sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or element of a new recording
• Will Oldham (also known as Bonnie 'Prince' Billy) covered "(Some Say) I Got Devil" on his 2006 album The Brave and the Bold. Will Oldham, aka Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (born 24 December 1970 in Louisville Kentucky) is an American Singer, Songwriter, The Brave and the Bold by Tortoise and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy was released in 2006 on Overcoat Recordings.
• An 11 year old Björk covered 'Christopher Robin' in Icelandic on her debut album, Björk. Björk Guðmundsdóttir (born 21 November 1965 is an Icelandic Singer-songwriter, Composer, actress and music producer. Björk is the first official release from the Icelandic singer Björk.
• Cissy Houston has covered "Any Guy". Emily Drinkard (born September 30, 1933) better known as Cissy Houston, is an American soul and gospel singer
• Macy Gray, Dolly Parton and Cher have all performed "Brand New Key" in concert (the latter on The Sonny And Cher Show). Macy Gray (born Natalie Renee McIntyre on September 6 1967; also credited as Natalie Hinds in her music is an American Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American Country music Singer / Songwriter, Author, actress Cher ( IPA: /ʃɛr/ born Cherilyn Sarkisian, May 20 1946
• Dutch singer Mathilde Santing had a gold record and the first Top 10 hit version of "Beautiful People" in 1997
• Country singer Deana Carter covered "Brand New Key" on her 1999 Top 10 album Everything's Gonna Be Alright. Deana Kay Carter (born January 4 1966 in Nashville, Tennessee, U Everything's Gonna Be Alright is the second studio album by American Country music artist Deana Carter.
• Yugoslav rock band Bajaga i Instruktori released a cover of "Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma", with lyrics in Serbian, named "Vidi šta sam ti uradio od pesme, mama" in 1985. The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ( Serbo-Croatian, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, Macedonian: Bajaga i Instruktori ( Serbian Cyrillic: Бајага и Инструктори trans Serbian (sr-Cyrl српски језик sr-Latn ''srpski jezik'' is a South Slavic language,
• The cellist band Rasputina covered "Brand New Key" on their album Thanks for the Ether. Rasputina is a band consisting mostly of cellists. The band officially began in Brooklyn, New York in 1992 when Melora Creager put out an advertisement Thanks for the Ether is the debut album of Rasputina, released in 1996 with Columbia Records.
• Female-fronted punk trio The Dollyrots covered "Brand New Key" on their album Because I'm Awesome
• Alison Moyet performs 'Momma Momma' on her live DVD One Blue Voice and as the b-side to her 2007 single 'One More Time'. The Dollyrots are a Pop punk band composed of Kelly Ogden Luis Cabezas and Chris Black Because I'm Awesome is the second studio album by pop band The Dollyrots. Alison Moyet (born Genevieve Alison Jane Moyet on 18 June 1961 is an English pop Singer-songwriter noted for her Bluesy voice.

Album discography

1. Born to Be (aka My First Album), November 1968
2. Melanie (aka Affectionately Melanie), December 1969 (US # 196)
3. Candles in the Rain, September 1970 (US #17 - Gold record, U. Born to Be is singer Melanie 's debut album released on Buddha Records in 1968. Affectionately Melanie (aka Melanie) is the second album by Melanie Safka. Candles in the Rain is singer Melanie 's third album released in 1970 K #5, Australia #2, Canada #5, Norway #20, Germany #16)
4. Leftover Wine, November 1970 (US #33, U. Leftover Wine is a live album released by Melanie in 1970 The album was recorded at Carnegie Hall (except for the closing track 'Peace Will Come' K #22, Australia #8, Canada #22, Germany #31)
5. R. P. M. (Revolutions Per Minute) (film soundtrack), 1970 (US #148)
6. The Good Book, May 1971 (US #80, U. The Good Book is a 1971 album released by Melanie and featuring the Top 40 hit 'Nickel Song' K #9, Australia #29, Canada #26, Norway #20, Germany #29)
7. All the Right Noises (film soundtrack), August 1971
8. Gather Me, December 1971 (US #15 - Gold record), U. Gather Me is a 1971 album released by Melanie and featuring the #1 song ' Brand New Key ' K #14, Australia #9, Canada #14, Norway #25)
9. Garden In The City, 1972 (US #115, U. Garden In The City is a Melanie album released by Buddha Records in 1972 K #19, Australia #38)
10. The Four Sides of Melanie*, 1972 (US #103, U. K #23)
11. Stoneground Words, November 1972 (US #70, Australia #69, Canada #34)
12. Melanie at Carnegie Hall, 1973 (US #109)
13. Please Love Me*, 1973 (US)
14. Madrugada, May 1974 (US #192)
15. As I See It Now, February 1975
16. Sunset and Other Beginnings, October 1975
17. Photograph, 1976 (Australia #84) (re-issued on CD as Photograph (Double Exposure) in 2005)
18. Phonogenic - Not Just Another Pretty Face, September 1978
19. Ballroom Streets, August 1979
20. Arabesque, August 1982
21. Seventh Wave, September 1983
22. Am I Real or What, 1985
23. Cowabonga - Never Turn Your Back on a Wave, April 1988
24. Precious Cargo, 1991
25. Silence Is King, February 1993
26. Freedom Knows My Name, 1993 (US)
27. Old Bitch Warrior, February 1996
28. Recorded Live @ Borders, 1996
29. These Nights, 2001
30. Victim of the Moon 2002
31. Crazy Love, 2002
32. Moments from My Life, 2003
33. Paled By Dimmer Light, 2004

(Albums marked with an asterisk are compilation albums)

Hit singles

Year	Title	Billboard	Cashbox
1969	"Beautiful People"	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9	-	-
1970	"Bobo's Party"	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
1970	"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)"	6	3	-	2	1	1	-	-	-	1	-	-
1970	"Peace Will Come (According To Plan)"	32	20	-	43	15	-	-	-	-	6	-	47
1970	"Stop! I Don't Wanna Hear It Anymore"	112	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	10	-	43
1970	"Ruby Tuesday"	52	34	9	70	25	6	12	16	-	-	-	6
1971	"What Have They Done To My Song, Ma?"	-	-	39	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	-
1971	"The Good Book"	-	78	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1971	"Brand New Key"	1	1	4	1	1	23	8	1	-	9	-	23
1972	"Ring the Living Bell"	31	21	-	74	24	41	-	-	-	-	-	41
1972	"The Nickel Song"	35	25	-	74	27	43	-	-	-	-	-	23
1972	"Someday I'll Be A Farmer"	106	79	-	95	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1972	"Together Alone"	86	57	-	-	37	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1973	"Do You Believe"	115	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1973	"Bitter Bad"	36	30	-	49	84	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1974	"Will You Love Me Tomorrow?"	82	54	37	93	90	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1974	"Lover's Cross"	109	70	-	-	64	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1981	"One More Try"	110	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1983	"Every Breath of the Way"	-	-	70	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

The New Seekers also charted in the U. Stoneground Words is an album released by Melanie in 1972 It contains the singles 'Together Alone' and 'Do You Believe' Madrugada is a 1974 album released by Melanie featuring the singles 'Lover's Cross' and 'Love To Lose Again Photograph is an album released by Melanie in 1976 her only release on Atlantic Records. See Billboard (Turkish magazine Billboard is a weekly American Magazine devoted to the Music industry Cash Box (or Cashbox) magazine was a weekly publication devoted to the music and coin-operated machine industries which was published from July 1942 to November " Ruby Tuesday " is a song recorded by The Rolling Stones in 1966 released in January 1967 " Brand New Key " is a pop song written by folk singer Melanie ( Melanie Safka) which became a novelty hit in 1971-2 "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" is the title of a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. The New Seekers were a British / German / Australian pop group, formed in 1969 by Keith Potger after the S. with their covers of Melanie's songs; "Beautiful People" hit #67, "Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma" hit #14 and "Nickel Song" #81. Ray Charles' cover of "Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma" hit #65 in 1972 (and #25 on the R&B Charts). Ray Charles Robinson ( September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his Stage name Ray Charles, was an American

Other credits

• Lyrics for the theme song of the Beauty and the Beast television series.
• Recorded "I've Got New York" on The 6ths' Hyacinths and Thistles, 2000

References

External links

• Melanie's official website
• A Guide To The Recordings of Melanie
• American fan website
• Melanie Music Society
• Melanie's performance at the banned 1970 Powder Ridge festival
• Dutch fan website
• German fan website
• MelanieMusic.org; links to various websites
• All Music Guide

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