Melanie wrote this after her appearance and experience at Woodstock. She was a relative unknown before Woodstock. She convinced the Edwin Hawkins singers to sing this song with her. They had a gospel hit 2 yrs earlier with Oh Happy Day. Always been a favorite of mine.
@@jimmorris67 go to the page with the video you want to link to and copy the address from the address bar at the top of the page (not the TH-cam search bar; the one at the top of the browser window). Then just paste that into your comment.
@@RadCenter thanks I’m 69 and not very tech savy.Love the reactions of new and old brings back memories and love new talent.Diana Ankudinova from Russia check her out
You have to remember too this was during the time that blacks and white collaborating was frown upon by some. People like her helped to change the world for a better place!
Melanie is far too seldom heard here on the channels. Thanks for giving her a chance. My favorite song of hers is "melanie look what they've done to my song, ma ('71)" (this is the search string for TH-cam).
Yep. Melanie is under-appreciated. Fortunately Abra is featuring her now and maybe in the future. Check of "Ring the Living Bell" - a spiritual revival; a 5 min epic.
Her crowd at Woodstock INVENTED the thing where you hold up your lighter in tribute. It was candles, but this song is about that exact thing... Woodstock and the people lighting up the night. Watch her set from Woodstock
I had this on a record and listened to it since 1975 , so I’ve been listening to this ever since I was like 3 years old and I felt the energy and vibe even as a child , I absolutely love this song you are exactly right she is a gifted singer as well as the Edwin Hawkin singers it’s such a great vocal match for this song , the song is written by her about the vibe she felt at Woodstock in 1969 , the vibe of love and peace and all the stuff the Hippies were about !
Thank you for reacting to this classic beautiful creation. I get chills. Melanie was a “hippy” who wrote it and knew it needed a choir to support her message. RIP sweet gifted Melanie. We lost her recently 2024. Her legacy will live on!
This song was performed on a nationally televised program in the Netherlands. Most people back then were more formal than we are today, therefore there dress isn't out of place.
This is one of my all time favorites. She wrote this just after She performed at Woodstock. I believe this was maybe in Sweden. She is such a great talent. She never got the recognition she deserves. She now lives in Nashville. We are so fortunate to have her.
The purity of Melanie's voice shines on this song. Her version of "Dont Think Twice, Its All Right" is really nice too. Another singer from back then with a really pure voice is Sandy Denny -- the only singer other than Robert Plant to appear on a Led Zeppelin album. Her work with Fairport Convention is quite masterful. Check out "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?", "Farewell, Farewell", "The Ballad Of Easy Rider", and "She Moves Through The Fair" among others.
There is also a studio, stereo version of Lay Down preceded by an intro song called Candles In The Rain. The single was a top 10 hit. You really should review it since it is different from this live version.
Written about her experience at singing at Woodstock in 69. Came on stage as an unknown and left a celebrity. This song is glorious and powerful and I just adore the Edwin Hawkins singers. Melanie is the soundtrack of my youth. Thank you for sharing Abracadabra
I was 10 when I first heard this song. Everyone felt the effects of the Vietnam war, even us young kids. Our school had us singing anti-war songs in the morning. It was surreal and frightening. This song resonates with that era, goes right to soul. Hauntingly beautiful and deepest grief. God bless those souls...
Other great songs by Melanie: "Beautiful People"; "Ring the Living Bell"; "Brand New Key"; "Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma" and of course her cover of the Rolling Stones "Ruby Tuesday".
Great song choice, Abra! I’ve always loved this song. Definitely a seminal creation and representation of the hippie era. The addition of the black choirwas a great example of integration and civil rights at the time. Glad you fully enjoyed!
Hello. I saw her about this time (1972) in NYC's central park. The ice ring. There had to be 20,000 folks of all back grounds there. Thing is you could hear a pin drop. The audience was mesmerized. That is a very famous great choir.
I've been hoping you'd do this one! She was a last minute add to the Woodstock line up. That, and the Candle in the Rain poem that goes with the song are about her experience there. She was a force, especially for women's music, in the early to mid seventies. Look What They've Done To My Song Ma, The Nickel Song, Tuning My Guitar, all about the music business taking advantage of artists. Brand New Key a huge hit, Beautiful People a song of the times, Ruby Tuesday a cover with Mick Jagger. Has over 40 albums, still out there playing at 74! Thanks, she's a favorite of mine!
@@abracadabra3033 I'm so happy you found me! I have my own channel here if you'd like to do some of your deep digging there: th-cam.com/channels/Rk3uJG-FRzn-sasozxx0kA.html Love, Melanie
Teary eyes here in the middle of the night. Love her!! Thanks for the reaction & nice to see you back. Saludos de la región de Valencia España. Paz ¡Todos! ✌️
Gorgeous song. She thought a church choir would go great with this song. She was interviewed on a TV show right before she starts this performance. Dutch crowd. Stiff for sure, but they were witnessing raw emotion . Songs about Woodstock festival. She selected the most renown choir for this. Edwin Hawkins singers. Took me back to great Hippie era of the 60's. Loved it.
I grew up with Melanie pumping through my dad's sound system in the living room, my sisters and I with our percussion 'instruments' grabbed from the kitchen sitting around dad's chair and all of us belting it out along with Melanie on the record player. These were joyful memories for me.
Thank you for keeping me sane and entertained this past year . Thanks to all the people doing reaction videos from this this guy who is Losten Alaska . All technology is new to me so if I knew how to donate I would but I would like to suggest Procol Harum Whiter shade of pale , live in Denmark . I think you would enjoy it
I love to see people discover our anthems from the 60s & 70s. ❤️ BTW, this audience was not made up of people who were at Woodstock. You're right, they don't know what to think.
the reference to candles in the rain was the crowd at woodstock lit their bic lighters in appreciation of melanies performance, due to many of them in the crowd were holding something over their head in the rain
Edwen Hawkin singer were back up . Melanie was my favorite female singer back in the 60s and 70s. I still love to hear her. She was at Woodstock and I think she wrote Lay Down after Woodstock experience. I could be wrong. I think she 74 or 75 years old now. Beautiful voice , person, and flower child.
@@abracadabra3033 She had a playful voice but could take it to where she wanted it as well. Easy on the eyes too. The 70s was a great time musically. What started in the 60s was expanded, and the Artists grew, experimented etc. I miss that music. You had to be BadAss to get to the top. And Stellar to stay there.
This is about the Summer of Love, protest and Woodstock! I think this was live German television (?). Back then it was very rare to have musicians/ singers perform live for taping. The studio audiences tended to be subdued because it was going out live.
Yup my eyes was welling up!!!! This message is so important today!! Together we are perfection! This proves it!! Love and Peace to everyone!!!! I mean that!!! Thumbs way up Brother!!
Abra: You know an artist is special when her music resonates with a different generation, many years later, under entirely different circumstances. Obviously this song with the line about we were catching the same disease hits us hard in COVID times, as does her song "Together Alone" which was also from the early 70's. Many said it struck a whole new chord because of lockdowns and people being unable to travel to see loved ones.
@@abracadabra3033 Oh yeah. I love Melanie's voice. unique. heartfelt. Her cover of the Rolling Stone's Ruby Tuesday is better than the original. She was amazing in concert as well. She could hold the entire audience with just her voice and her guitar playing.
I was lucky enough to see her perform twice at the Troubadour in L.A. when I was a teenager. So close I could have tickled her feet. My daughter now has a decoupaged picture I made of Melanie from her album insert. Makes me happy to see it hanging on her wall almost 50 years after I made it.
This was a cultural crossover event. The audience response might seem restrained, but even clapping along to a song was a new experience, and these button-downed Netherlanders were really getting into it, enjoying it, full of enthusiasm. The standing ovation at the end says it all. I'm sure they all had praising conversations about this afterward and for some time after.
got to see her live around 15 years ago still a great talent. she did a great duet of her song, look what they done to my song ma with Miley Cyrus back in 2015
Enjoy your reviews and your willingness to delve into a wide variety of music genres. Melanie wrote this song after performing at Woodstock. This was recorded in the Netherlands (Holland) about 15 years after the end of WWII so many people in audience were survivors of the war. The people of the Netherlands, especially the WWII generation, are rather conservative anyway but they got into the spirit of the song despite many probably not understanding the lyrics. The Edwin Hawkins Singers were a gospel group and Brother Edwin is playing the piano. If you check out some more of Melanie, I suggest Peace Will Come, Beautiful People, and her cover of Ruby Tuesday, and I think you'll become a fan.
This was also on an album set called Freedom Rock. There are some one hit wonders like One Tin Soldier(the theme song from Billy Jack) and at one time hard to find songs
At the time, she was pushed into a candle-lighting hippie typecast. She kind of resented it and tried to rebel against it, but I don't believe she ever overcame that. She did have several hits. A very early one, 'Beautiful People', is probably what got her typecast because it did represent her personal perspective somewhat. It's a lovely song and worth a listen as are her other hits.
Melanie wrote this after her appearance and experience at Woodstock. She was a relative unknown before Woodstock. She convinced the Edwin Hawkins singers to sing this song with her. They had a gospel hit 2 yrs earlier with Oh Happy Day. Always been a favorite of mine.
Here's the original studio version: th-cam.com/video/EfGDvDGE7zk/w-d-xo.html
That’s who sung Oh Happy Day , Thank You
@@RadCenter how do you send these links?
@@jimmorris67 go to the page with the video you want to link to and copy the address from the address bar at the top of the page (not the TH-cam search bar; the one at the top of the browser window). Then just paste that into your comment.
@@RadCenter thanks I’m 69 and not very tech savy.Love the reactions of new and old brings back memories and love new talent.Diana Ankudinova from Russia check her out
Us old hippies know exactly what she was singing. PEACE and understanding. Love Melanie. Edwin Hawkins was on the piano. Almost like a revival.
Sadly Melanie just passed Rip 🌹
You have to remember too this was during the time that blacks and white collaborating was frown upon by some. People like her helped to change the world for a better place!
This is one of the most beautiful songs and performances ever recorded. I've always loved it.
I agree with that
I forgot to mention that the first line of the song kills me! " We were so close, there was no room. We bled inside each other's wounds"... WOW!
Melanie is far too seldom heard here on the channels. Thanks for giving her a chance. My favorite song of hers is "melanie look what they've done to my song, ma ('71)" (this is the search string for TH-cam).
She’s incredible
Yep. Melanie is under-appreciated. Fortunately Abra is featuring her now and maybe in the future. Check of "Ring the Living Bell" - a spiritual revival; a 5 min epic.
Check out "Trippy Hippy's" reactions. He has done about 40 of her songs.
Backing Melanie are the Edwin Hawkins singers who had a massive hit the year before "Oh Happy Day"
Melanie had some other hits including "Brand New Key" and "What Have They Done To My Song Ma".
Brand New Key's a fun one and much more low key. ;>)
So powerful! Gives me the chills. It was a Dutch audience.
I'm glad young folks are listening to the early 70's music. I really thought it would be dead by now. Thanks!
Her crowd at Woodstock INVENTED the thing where you hold up your lighter in tribute. It was candles, but this song is about that exact thing... Woodstock and the people lighting up the night. Watch her set from Woodstock
About to check it
She was on a Dutch talk show. This video had an introduction before she sang with The Edwin Hawkins Singers, a popular choir at the time.
Clive Davis wanted Melanie to go more towards R&B sound but she went more towards the folk sound, "Beautiful People" is another nice song
Such pure emotion and a whole lotta soul! And yes......rather hippie-ish in the best way! 😽💋🎶💓
Gotta give the crowd credit for the response. This is in France in 1970. Some of them were born before 1900. This is like music from Mars to them.
True
Actually, it's in the Netherlands. Close, though :)
I loved the crowd reaction
I had this on a record and listened to it since 1975 , so I’ve been listening to this ever since I was like 3 years old and I felt the energy and vibe even as a child , I absolutely love this song you are exactly right she is a gifted singer as well as the Edwin Hawkin singers it’s such a great vocal match for this song , the song is written by her about the vibe she felt at Woodstock in 1969 , the vibe of love and peace and all the stuff the Hippies were about !
Thank you for reacting to this classic beautiful creation. I get chills. Melanie was a “hippy” who wrote it and knew it needed a choir to support her message. RIP sweet gifted Melanie. We lost her recently 2024. Her legacy will live on!
Chilling song, beautiful. Along with the Edward Hawkins singers. Classic sound from my youth. Thank you for playing it.
✌🏾
This song was performed on a nationally televised program in the Netherlands. Most people back then were more formal than we are today, therefore there dress isn't out of place.
This is one of my all time favorites. She wrote this just after She performed at Woodstock. I believe this was maybe in Sweden. She is such a great talent. She never got the recognition she deserves. She now lives in Nashville. We are so fortunate to have her.
Agreed
Melanie mentioned you, Abra, in the comment section of Mark Bishops post. Absolutely love her.
The purity of Melanie's voice shines on this song. Her version of "Dont Think Twice, Its All Right" is really nice too. Another singer from back then with a really pure voice is Sandy Denny -- the only singer other than Robert Plant to appear on a Led Zeppelin album. Her work with Fairport Convention is quite masterful. Check out "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?", "Farewell, Farewell", "The Ballad Of Easy Rider", and "She Moves Through The Fair" among others.
Ok, got it
Sandy Denny was incredible.
We lost her way too soon.
she is a true child of peace-like the innocence of a child wanting peace for everyone
Indeed
There is also a studio, stereo version of Lay Down preceded by an intro song called Candles In The Rain. The single was a top 10 hit. You really should review it since it is different from this live version.
I totally agree.
well, both are outstanding.
The studio version, oddly, i like even more than this magnificient live performance :)
She's singing about Woodstock, huge outdoor rock concert back in the 60s. It lasted like 3 days.
I.love "Brand New Key"!
( Do u know what roller skates with keys were?😂)
Ballads were very popular in my era!! Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Diamond and she had a set of pipes !!!
Excellent song. Heard it back in the 70's going to the beach with my sisters and brothers.
Melanie was one of my favorites - way back in the age of Aquarius and peace marches.
Written about her experience at singing at Woodstock in 69. Came on stage as an unknown and left a celebrity. This song is glorious and powerful and I just adore the Edwin Hawkins singers. Melanie is the soundtrack of my youth. Thank you for sharing Abracadabra
KILLER SONG 🥀
I listened to this on my WALKMAN on 2 busses going to college.
It was Bus inspiration.
I was 10 when I first heard this song. Everyone felt the effects of the Vietnam war, even us young kids. Our school had us singing anti-war songs in the morning. It was surreal and frightening. This song resonates with that era, goes right to soul. Hauntingly beautiful and deepest grief. God bless those souls...
Great choice! She's a hidden treasure 🔥
Indeed
Good to see you again! You couldn't have made a better choice in Melanie!
Totally agree ✌️
✌🏾
RIP Beautiful Melanie!!!
Other great songs by Melanie: "Beautiful People"; "Ring the Living Bell"; "Brand New Key"; "Look What They've Done to My Song, Ma" and of course her cover of the Rolling Stones "Ruby Tuesday".
Officially on my list
@@abracadabra3033 that's cool
Wow real blast back...been soooo long since i have heard this...Great choice...
I have always loved this song! I was 12 years old when it came out. Still relevant for today!!♡♡♡♡♡
Great song choice, Abra! I’ve always loved this song. Definitely a seminal creation and representation of the hippie era. The addition of the black choirwas a great example of integration and civil rights at the time. Glad you fully enjoyed!
Loved it 🙏
Hello.
I saw her about this time (1972) in NYC's central park. The ice ring.
There had to be 20,000 folks of all back grounds there.
Thing is you could hear a pin drop.
The audience was mesmerized.
That is a very famous great choir.
I've been hoping you'd do this one! She was a last minute add to the Woodstock line up. That, and the Candle in the Rain poem that goes with the song are about her experience there. She was a force, especially for women's music, in the early to mid seventies. Look What They've Done To My Song Ma, The Nickel Song, Tuning My Guitar, all about the music business taking advantage of artists. Brand New Key a huge hit, Beautiful People a song of the times, Ruby Tuesday a cover with Mick Jagger. Has over 40 albums, still out there playing at 74!
Thanks, she's a favorite of mine!
About to dig deep into her music
@@abracadabra3033 I'm so happy you found me! I have my own channel here if you'd like to do some of your deep digging there: th-cam.com/channels/Rk3uJG-FRzn-sasozxx0kA.html Love, Melanie
@@MelaniesafkaTheRealMelanie wow , Thank You and I think you are incredible
@@abracadabra3033 Her 1975 live version of Ruby Tuesday is outstanding.
@@abracadabra3033 ☮️💜
Teary eyes here in the middle of the night. Love her!! Thanks for the reaction & nice to see you back.
Saludos de la región de Valencia España. Paz ¡Todos! ✌️
Always loved this song...so soulful The Edwin Hawkins Singer back her up and they're awesome
Gorgeous song. She thought a church choir would go great with this song. She was interviewed on a TV show right before she starts this performance. Dutch crowd. Stiff for sure, but they were witnessing raw emotion . Songs about Woodstock festival. She selected the most renown choir for this. Edwin Hawkins singers. Took me back to great Hippie era of the 60's. Loved it.
I grew up with Melanie pumping through my dad's sound system in the living room, my sisters and I with our percussion 'instruments' grabbed from the kitchen sitting around dad's chair and all of us belting it out along with Melanie on the record player. These were joyful memories for me.
Melanie has pipes. Try Babe Rainbow, What have they done to my song Ma, Brand new Key, Bo Bo's Party, all by her. She can sing!!
I will
Melanie also wrote and sang Brand New Key, totally different style, yet was popular song in the 70s.
Thank you for keeping me sane and entertained this past year . Thanks to all the people doing reaction videos from this this guy who is Losten Alaska . All technology is new to me so if I knew how to donate I would but I would like to suggest Procol Harum Whiter shade of pale , live in Denmark . I think you would enjoy it
Got it and Thank You
I love to see people discover our anthems from the 60s & 70s. ❤️
BTW, this audience was not made up of people who were at Woodstock. You're right, they don't know what to think.
A lot of positive energy. I think this was a Dutch tv-program. I am sure the audience loved it.
Thanks for your reaction.
the reference to candles in the rain was the crowd at woodstock lit their bic lighters in appreciation of melanies performance, due to many of them in the crowd were holding something over their head in the rain
Dude, Melanie! Good choice. This song is powerful, as you say. Love how all those squares in the audience are digging it. Nice react.
Yes, just watched this again; she definitely received & was channeling a powerful message from the unseen realms. Thanks for reviewing this!
Hello Abra , I love this song so much , for some decades , thank you for playing this too , its haunting to me
This was 1970 performance on Dutch TV.
Edwen Hawkin singer were back up . Melanie was my favorite female singer back in the 60s and 70s. I still love to hear her. She was at Woodstock and I think she wrote Lay Down after Woodstock experience. I could be wrong. I think she 74 or 75 years old now. Beautiful voice , person, and flower child.
The Les Humphrey Slingers were famous. I recall Melanie was proud to sing with them.
You said it Abra:"Damn, Melanie" This performance Gets to
Me everytime.
Indeed
The crowd was from the Netherlands in very early 70’s….Imagine being there with Melanie w/Edwin Hawkins Singers ?
Epic on all levels.
I love your choices and your reactions. Your so authentic! This is an incredible performance and song!
Hey great to find you -I've been sharing this song for the past 2 weeks .. Yes, it is so powerful, I enjoyed seeing you react to it !
Abracadabra, you definitely need to go down this rabbit hole...she has many great songs....please do more with her !
My fave girl singer, I stole my older brothers records and found Melanie, Candles in the Rain is a fab album. ⭐
Melanie had some awesome hits. The choir is the Edwin Hawkins singers and they are known for their song, Oh Happy Day.
Man I had a Crush on Her! Hot 🔥 and had vocal skills!! She kinda disappeared in the 80s!!
I was thinking the same , she’s captivating
@@abracadabra3033 She had a playful voice but could take it to where she wanted it as well. Easy on the eyes too. The 70s was a great time musically. What started in the 60s was expanded, and the Artists grew, experimented etc. I miss that music. You had to be BadAss to get to the top. And Stellar to stay there.
This song touches something deep, it’s beautiful!
Woodstock artists had beautiful messages. Love Melanie.
your a character Abra love your reactions shes beautiful an can really belt out a song!
😁
beautiful song: Melanie at her finest, and the Edwin Hawkins Singers are pure perfection
A gospel anthem for the hippy generation.
This is about the Summer of Love, protest and Woodstock!
I think this was live German television (?). Back then it was very rare to have musicians/ singers perform live for taping. The studio audiences tended to be subdued because it was going out live.
I believe it
RIP, Melanie. 💔
Yup my eyes was welling up!!!! This message is so important today!! Together we are perfection! This proves it!! Love and Peace to everyone!!!! I mean that!!! Thumbs way up Brother!!
Indeed , ✌🏾🙏
She is saying basically we have to keep each other's candles burning for peace even through the rains.
Abra: You know an artist is special when her music resonates with a different generation, many years later, under entirely different circumstances. Obviously this song with the line about we were catching the same disease hits us hard in COVID times, as does her song "Together Alone" which was also from the early 70's. Many said it struck a whole new chord because of lockdowns and people being unable to travel to see loved ones.
You’re right , but she has a style that is timeless , gifted Vocalist
@@abracadabra3033 Oh yeah. I love Melanie's voice. unique. heartfelt. Her cover of the Rolling Stone's Ruby Tuesday is better than the original. She was amazing in concert as well. She could hold the entire audience with just her voice and her guitar playing.
One of the era's forgotten classics. Good pick. Congrats, you brought class & history to the TH-cam audience with this one.
Thank You ✌🏾🙏
Song, this performance especially, give me CHILLS every time.
Nobody else sings like Melanie. Great songwriter and guitarist, too. Her voice reminds me of Dolly's. Similar "warble".
I was lucky enough to see her perform twice at the Troubadour in L.A. when I was a teenager. So close I could have tickled her feet. My daughter now has a decoupaged picture I made of Melanie from her album insert. Makes me happy to see it hanging on her wall almost 50 years after I made it.
I LOOOOVVVEE this song 💖💖💖
I'd be crying if I was in that crowd!
Thank you for sharing. I have loved he all my life but have never been able to get to a concert.
This song is so uplifting.
Indeed
Shes special & brings good memories , that I miss , ya know
I've always thought this song has an almost religious vibe to it.
A lot of her music is like that. Like I mentioned before: "Ring the Living Bell"
she was commenting on the Woodstock festival that happened in new york. the audience is european (holland). but they really got into it!!
This was a cultural crossover event. The audience response might seem restrained, but even clapping along to a song was a new experience, and these button-downed Netherlanders were really getting into it, enjoying it, full of enthusiasm. The standing ovation at the end says it all. I'm sure they all had praising conversations about this afterward and for some time after.
She is an original hippie 💗
this was filmed in the Neatherlands, the audience didn't even speak English but they loved her
got to see her live around 15 years ago still a great talent. she did a great duet of her song, look what they done to my song ma with Miley Cyrus back in 2015
I watched this one twice , it was that good ! 😥
The audience looked shell shocked lol 😆
😁
Enjoy your reviews and your willingness to delve into a wide variety of music genres.
Melanie wrote this song after performing at Woodstock. This was recorded in the Netherlands (Holland) about 15 years after the end of WWII so many people in audience were survivors of the war. The people of the Netherlands, especially the WWII generation, are rather conservative anyway but they got into the spirit of the song despite many probably not understanding the lyrics.
The Edwin Hawkins Singers were a gospel group and Brother Edwin is playing the piano.
If you check out some more of Melanie, I suggest Peace Will Come, Beautiful People, and her cover of Ruby Tuesday, and I think you'll become a fan.
I am excited to see this. She was such a brilliant singer. Absolutely top 10 for me.
Agreed
Great review of a very powerful song and a powerful message.
THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT SONG WITH DEEP MEANING. ALSO SUGGESTION OF A GREAT SONG CALLED "TIME" BY THE CHAMBERS BROS.
!950s, 60s and 70s had bad ass cars too.
This was also on an album set called Freedom Rock. There are some one hit wonders like One Tin Soldier(the theme song from Billy Jack) and at one time hard to find songs
Its a favourite of mine. Beautiful people is another one you need to hear. And your review was cool. Nice one dude. You got a new subscriber
At the time, she was pushed into a candle-lighting hippie typecast. She kind of resented it and tried to rebel against it, but I don't believe she ever overcame that. She did have several hits. A very early one, 'Beautiful People', is probably what got her typecast because it did represent her personal perspective somewhat. It's a lovely song and worth a listen as are her other hits.
Well to be fair she started the whole lighters, mobile phone thing phenomena.