Back in the very early '70s, about the same time many of our Z cars were being made, this NYC girl was capturing the hearts and minds of youth around the world. I did not escape.

There's no sound reason for posting this, except to say that there are generations of kids today who don't know Melanie, and could use her in their lives.

I feel sort of obligated to make this introduction. Wild Bill out in Corn County Nebraska sort of grew up listening to her and defining the wisdom of her songs, so he understands why I'm bothering you with this. She was sort of a female Bob Dylan in ways, but so much better looking and sounding than he!

Melanie played at Woodstock in 1969, and her career took off. Her signature piece is CANDLES IN THE RAIN (Lay down, lay down), but her real majesty lay in the countless other soul-wrenching songs she recorded over her long long career.

Here are a few of Melanie's songs, most of which she wrote herself. Welcome to another age.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC4txxrsDEY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG2lwbIu ... re=related

Her signature piece : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5CHFf0u ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKN6lYU5 ... re=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ovCrpMBOFk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeHtuwsUeRw

Just thought you should know.

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1970 240Z

Frank, I just spent 3 hours on youtube listening to Melanie songs. It was a great trip back to my younger days. I want to throw a couple lyrics out at you just to see if you remember-
1. There's a chance peace will come in your life, peace by one.
2.You know I'm no gambler but I'm being gambled on.
They're only puttin in a nickel and wanting a dollar song.

If you haven't seen it yet go to her youtube videos and click on the one titled "Melanie Safka-Lay Down- 2010 Isle of Wight" The guy and the girl performing on stage with her are her son and daughter.
Then find the video titled something like "Melanie 1970-2010 Isle of Wight.
Both are great videos of a great Lady then and now.
Thanks so much for jogging my memory and prompting me to look her music back up!
I would have posted direct links like you did but I'm just not that good at this computor thing -yet!

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Bill James
Western Nebraska
1979 280zx coupe parts car
1980 280 zx coupe
2005 Pathfinder
1971 240 z
1982 280zx, 1977 &1974 corvettes

Frank,
Your posting is most timely. I heard "Brand New Key" on a TV show the other night and Nancy and I could not remember who sang it. The name Lulu kept popping into my head. Wrong!!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I remember how "kinda" controversial Brand New Key was when it came out. phrases like "around the world" and "go pretty far" tweeked many a sensual memory or dream.
In any case it has a great beat and is easy to dance to!
Now, back to You Tube,
Alan[/u]

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2007 350Z Grand Touring Roadster "OURZ"

Frank,
Have you seen this rendition of Brand New Key?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFK9C0Na ... re=related you

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2007 350Z Grand Touring Roadster "OURZ"

Wild Bill, those would be ACCORDING TO PLAN (which she wrote about the war in Vietnam) and THE NICKEL SONG (which she wrote about her own career)!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8o7iBTJ ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAa-VzzCGyc

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1970 240Z

Al, I have followed her career and sang her songs (mostly to half-empty wine bottles) for 40 years. Only now, with the wonderful blessing of YouTube, have I realized how infrequently she changes guitars. She seems to have played the entire decade of the 1970s on one box.

Maybe she was poor, like I was. That always helps a singer to deliver strong or sad songs. The blacks in the South could sing the best Blues I ever heard, Janis Joplin sang incredible Blues-Rock, and Melanie just broke your heart every time she opened her mouth. Adversity or poverty have their uses, I guess.

Once they get rich, their music seems to change.

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1970 240Z