Her "stupid little song" Became Her Biggest Hit

Melanie was 22 and relatively unknown in the U.S. when she was invited to perform at Woodstock. She was one of two female singers who played solo at the festival.
Her set, which began at 1:30 a.m. in front of a throng of people holding lit candles in the rain, inspired her to write "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," which became her first U.S. hit. Another of her songs, "Brand New Key," was her biggest hit, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1971. to hear Melanie sing "Brand New Key," you can go to @watch?v=RCTMTflcuug.
The photo of Melanie in the thumbnail is a 1975 publicity shot credited to the William Morris Agency. It's available on Wikipedia.
This tribute is one of 41 stories that Sheldon Zoldan, a longtime journalist, has written about the music notables who passed away in 2024. He's written tributes for other years as well. You can listen to the ones from 2023 on this channel. We'll have the 2022 tributes available later this year.
Sheldon also is the creator of Song of the Day, a story that he sends by email to a list of subscribers. To get on his subscriber list, email [e-mail] with the subject line ADD ME TO SOTD.
This is Kate Jones. Thank you for visiting Everyday Creation!

[@TheParot161]

Thank you for making this video. A very nice thing about an artist who deserves to be remembered.

[@EverydayCreation]

She was very talented!

[@familydogg1234]

Used to listen to this in the 8th grade. Melanie- performer at Woodstock 1969- no documentaries will mention her about that!

[@danielorlando8172]

Google BIRTHDAY OF THE SUN at Woodstock to understand her contribution. Melanie is the unsung hero of her generation. I consider myself blessed to have met her.

[@melancholiac]

Melanie's version of Ruby Tuesday was superior to the Rolling Stones version. She gave it 200%.
The original recording isn't always the best. Joe Cocker's version of Get By With A Little Help From My Friends is another example.

[@EverydayCreation]

I always liked Melanie. Thank you for your comment!

[@melancholiac]

@@EverydayCreation You are welcome. She was great. Thanks for posting.

[@stevenroberts8671]

What have they done to my song ma, is my favourite

[@devanishant]

Saint Sans greatest hit was written as a joke. He refused Carnival of the Animals to be published in his lifetime.

[@EverydayCreation]

You never know what's going to catch on!