"Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates,
You got a brand-new key..."

Melanie – “Brand New Key”

Melanie Safka, known simply as Melanie, became one of the most distinctive artists to emerge from the flower power generation.  Her acoustic-pop sound brought a sense of earthiness to the radio and helped continue the popularity of folk music during the era.  When all is said and done, Melanie has sold over 25 million albums, and became the first contemporary music artist to perform in such famous locations as Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.  Later on in life, she would continue down the line with the folk-music tradition of being socially conscious by donating her time and efforts to various charities, such as UNICEF. 

The school years always seem to be the most forming when it comes to musicians, some properly trained and others self-taught.  Melanie fell into the latter category, toting around a guitar while teaching herself to play.  She went on to art school, where she would study theater, never forgetting her love of music.  So, to support herself in the spare time, she began playing in Greenwich Village clubs, perfecting her folk-pop style and by the time she was 20, she’d landed a recording contract with Columbia Records and an invitation to come perform at the Woodstock Festival.  “Birthday of the Sun” an original song she performed at the festival would later end up on the 1994-released Woodstock II.

Her experiences at Woodstock inspired the music that would give her a career breakthrough.  “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” was supposedly inspired by the audience lighting candles during her set.  Backed by a gospel choir, this powerful song went on to become a hit in Europe, Australia and the U.S. where it would climb the charts to #6.  The album, Candles in the Rain, would break into the Top 20.  She later released a live album recorded at Carnegie Hall, Leftover Wine.  It, too, would become a hit.

Following her live album, Melanie released a folksy cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday,” which broke into the Top 40.  Her career seemed on the right path, an assumption proved correct with the 1971 release of her biggest hit, “Brand New Key.”   The light-hearted number talked about a girl that liked to roller skate.  It wasn’t that simple, of course.  She had the skates, but had to adjust them with a key: clever ploy to attract a boy, eh?  --insert knowing look here—

“Brand New Key” topped the charts for three weeks, and was the first release from her own record label, Neighborhood.  Melanie went on to tour the world and used her fame to speak out officially for UNICEF, whom she became spokesperson for in 1972.  In 1973, she scored another hit with “Bitter Bad,” that reached into the top 30.  The same year, due to starting her family, Melanie retired from performing full time.  In the next three years, she gave birth to just as many babies, while remaining active, recording and releasing sex full-length albums and one double-live album, Melanie at Carnegie Hall. 

In the 80s, Melanie returned to the studio, releasing Arabesque in 1982.  The album became a success in England, leading to a concert tour in the U.K.  She continued to perform and record, eventually penning the Emmy-winning music of the TV series, Beauty and the Beast.  Melanie also took part in the Woodstock Reunion tour, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 1989.  She even got a resurgence of interest thanks to Quaker Oats using her tune “Look What They’ve Done to My Song, Ma” for their Instant Oatmeal commercials, replacing the lyrics with the seemingly fitting “look what they’ve done to my oatmeal.”

It’s been said that she’s earned a rightful place alongside other tremendous female folk artists such as Joan Baez, Marianne Faithfull and Judy Collins.  Certainly, even by today’s standards, she’s immensely successful, putting out at least an album almost every year since her career began. By good music and good deeds, Melanie has definitely topped the charts in our book.