Melanie Safka, The Solo Sensation From Woodstock Who Topped The Charts With Her “Brand New Keys,” Dies At 76

Melanie Safka, the singer and songwriter who unveiled her talent at the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969 and crashed the billboard charts with her “Brand New Keys,” dies at the age of 76.

The singer’s death was announced through a social media post by her children. No information about the cause of her death was given, but she was working on her 32nd album. 

The Star of Woodstock

Melanie Safka released her debut album “Born to Be” in 1968, giving her a chance to perform at the Woodstock Music Festival next year. The husky singer was one of the three unaccompanied female performers. 

Later, she expressed it as an almost out-of-body experience, which gave her the spark to write her masterpiece “Lay Down (Candles in the Wind),” which took its rightful position in the top 10 hotlists.

When it was her turn to perform, it started raining, and the commentator requested that people light candles to fight against the rain. The moment she opened her eyes on the stage, the whole hill was covered by people bearing candles, which made her comfortable and brought her back to her headspace.

Melanie then went on to join Neighbourhood Records, the first label for women artists, and released “Brand New Key,” which topped the charts in the US, Canada, the UK, and many more.

It had its share of controversies due to sexual innuendo in lyrics like “I’ve got a brand-new pair of roller skates/You’ve got a brand new key,” which led to some radio stations banning it. She expressed her understanding of such interpretations, but it was not her intention, as she further elaborates that the key and lock have always been perceived as Freudian symbols.

The songwriter revealed that it only took her about 15 minutes to write, as she thought it had a fun 30s feel.

“Brand New Key” was her most sensually hit song back in the day for its childlike tone, and Melanie expressed that it was written like blues, which was sped up for commercial acclaim. But the music fans of today remember her for “Lay Down (Candles in the Wind)’ for its ingenuine style and timeless lyrics.

Even with her chart-topping pieces, she was not considered a major player due to the male-dominated folk-rock scene and her cheery persona. She reminisced about it as an era of broody and melancholic artists. A smiling woman had no chance to shine on such stages.

The Rise and Fall Of Melanie

Melanie Safka was born on February 3, 1947,  in New York and grew up in Queens.
She completed her graduation from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and she performed a few gigs in the clubs of Greenwich Village that acted as the core stones for her music career.

She produced hit after hit as an independent artist, showcasing her talent and brilliance in bringing the best out of her fellow artists. She collaborated with many of the major artists of today, like Miley Cyrus, and was interviewed by Jarvis Cocker.

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She last recorded a cover of “Ouija Board Ouija Board” by Morrissey for an upcoming tribute album in his name.

Her three children have planned a celebration reminiscing her songs, just as Melanie would have loved to go out. The date and time will be announced later and they invited everyone who wishes to celebrate their mother’s life.