Renowned Singer-Songwriter Melanie, Known for ‘Brand New Key’ and ’70s Hits, Passes Away at 76

Melanie, the iconic singer-songwriter who emerged from the New York folk scene, graced the stage at Woodstock, and delivered a string of 1970s hits, including the timeless “Brand New Key,” has passed away.

Her publicist, Billy James, informed The Associated Press that Melanie died on Tuesday at the age of 76, residing in central Tennessee. The cause of her death was not immediately disclosed.

“Our world is much dimmer, the colors of a dreary, rainy Tennessee pale with her absence today,” conveyed her children Leilah, Jeordie, and Beau Jarred in a Facebook post announcing her demise.

Notable Career and Legacy:

With a versatile voice ranging from high-pitched and coy to a deep soulful rasp, Melanie crafted and performed hits like “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma” and “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).” However, she gained enduring fame with “Brand New Key,” a track from her 1971 album “Gather Me,” which became a No. 1 hit in the U.S. and other countries.

The song, echoing the tunes of the ’20s and ’30s, blended youthful simplicity with adult sophistication, featuring a memorable chorus:

“Well, I’ve got a brand-new pair of roller skates, you’ve got a brand-new key, I think that we should get together, and try them on to see.”

While Melanie asserted that she didn’t necessarily intend sexual innuendo in the song, listeners interpreted it differently.

Musical Journey and Recognition:

• Born Melanie Safka in Queens, New York, to a jazz singer father, she honed her craft at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and performed in Greenwich Village coffee houses.
• Her self-titled debut album in 1969 and European hits like “Bobo’s Party” and “Beautiful People” marked her early success.
• Melanie’s performance at Woodstock in 1969 solidified her status as one of the few female solo performers at the historic event.
• “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” from the same year became a Billboard Hot 100 hit, inspired by the candles held up by the Woodstock crowd.
• “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma” in 1970 further contributed to her widespread acclaim.

Legacy and Continued Influence:

• Despite a dip in popularity in the mid-1970s, Melanie maintained a dedicated following and continued recording and performing into the 2010s.
• Her first U.S. hit, “Brand New Key,” found resurgence in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film “Boogie Nights” (1997) and was notably lip-synced by Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show” in 2016.
• Melanie was married to her manager and producer Peter Schekeryk from 1968 until his passing in 2010, and they shared three children.

Melanie’s impact on the music landscape endures, with her distinctive voice and iconic songs leaving an indelible mark on generations of listeners.