Remembering Melanie, and her very different songs

When I first heard the song — nearly 30 years after its recording — I thought it was an old-time spiritual. But in fact, the song, "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," was written and released in 1969 by Melanie Safka-Schekeryk, more commonly known as Melanie. Melanie, a folk artist who made her national debut at Woodstock and wrote "Lay Down" about that experience, died earlier this week. She was prolific, releasing 28 studio albums and 13 live albums. In her career, she had one No. 1 hit in America, but charted several times. It was hard for me to reconcile Melanie's biggest hit — "Brand New Key" — with "Lay Down." "Brand New Key" is catchy, but practically playful. In two minutes and 22 seconds, it's a song about a girl getting new roller skates. Some didn't think the theme of the song was so innocent, believing the lyrics had some innuendos that actually caused the tune to be banned on some stations. Melanie said that any double entendre was completely unintentional. I tend to believe her. Most folk artists tend to be honest about their meanings. But to hear Melanie give a sweet, innocent vocal on "Brand New Key" and then hear her rip through a nine-minute performance of "Lay Down" is quite the contrast. I was drawn — and am still drawn — to "Lay Down" because of its gospel overtones. Backing Melanie on the track are the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Hawkins' group had a hit a year earlier with the hymn "Oh, Happy Day." That was a No. 2 hit in the U.S. and a No.1 hit in Switzerland, France and Germany. Infusing "Lay Down" with that kind of spiritual flavor was a masterstroke. But the song may have been a hit regardless because of Melanie's vocal. Melanie used a number of vocal styles on her records. But the one thing that stands out to me is how authentic and sincere those performances were. Every time I listen to "Lay Down," I am moved by it. Her vocal is stong, rough, beautiful. Her vocals in "Brand New Key," or a song like "Look What They've Done to my Song, Ma," are different, but just as compelling. Melanie always gave a special performance. That's something special. That's memorable. Baker is sports editor of The Courier and Review Times.