2. Melanie: Midwest Auckland emo four piece Melanie released their full length album 42 Losers in May 2020 and have been playing a fine selection of gigs and house parties since
1. Born on the 3rd February 1947 in Astoria, New York deceased 23rd January 2024, Melanie made her first recording, "Gimme a Little Kiss", when she was five.
She first found chart success in Europe. Her 1969 song "Bobo's Party" reached number one in France. Later that year she had a hit in the Netherlands with "Beautiful People" before performing at Woodstock. Apparently, she was inspired to write "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" by the audience lighting candles during her set; the song became a hit in both Europe and the USA. Her biggest hit in the USA was "Brand New Key", also known as "The Roller Skate Song". She has been awarded three gold albums.
Three of Melanie's compositions were hits for The New Seekers: "Look What They've Done to My Song Ma", "Beautiful People", and "The Nickel Song".
With one exception her albums have been produced by her husband, Peter Schekeryk. Her three children - Leilah, Jeordie and Beau-Jarred -are also musicians. Beau-Jarred is a guitarist and accompanies his mother on The 2003 Australian hip-hop track "The Nosebleed Section" by The Hilltop Hoods sampled Melanie's "People in the Front Row".
In 2004 Melanie released Paled by Dimmer Light, which is co-produced by Peter and Beau-Jarred Schekeryk.
In 2010 the last album co- produced by her now late husband Peter Schekeryj and their son Beau Jarred Schekeryk was released: Ever Since You Never Heard Of Me
Melanie, who became the voice of an era in one magical instant onstage at Woodstock, has been putting the pieces in order.
Pieces of a career, scattered by the winds of experience and assembled again by the force of love into the most personal and brilliant moments of her musical journey.
Melanie is poised to enlighten new generations about what it means to sing with both passion and eloquence, to write at once with intelligence and emotion, and to inspire through song… and nobody does this better than Melanie.
Others learned this that night at Woodstock, where as a New York kid barely known outside of the coffeehouse circuit in Greenwich Village, she sang her song "Beautiful People" and inspired the first panorama of candles and cigarette lighters ever raised at a concert event. That, in turn, moved the young singer to write "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain"), which sold more than one million copies in 1970 and
prompted Billboard, Cashbox, Melody Maker, Record World, and Bravo to anoint her
as female vocalist of the year. Her single "Brand New Key," an infectious romp about
freedom and roller skates, topped the charts in 1971.
And so her story began.
With guitar in hand and a talent that combined amazing vocal equipment, disarming
humor, and a vibrant engagement with life, she was booked as the first solo pop/rock
artist ever to appear from the Royal Albert Hall to Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan
Opera House, and later opened the New Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the
Sydney Opera House, and in the General Assembly of the United Nations, where she
was invited to perform on many occasions as delegates greeted her performances
with standing ovations.
The top television hosts of all time -- Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson, and Dick Cavett --
battled to book her. (After her stunning performance on his show, Sullivan goggled
that he had not seen such a "dedicated and responsive audience since ElvisPresley.")
Accolades rolled in, from critics ("Melanie's cult has long been famous, but it's a cult
that's responding to something genuine and powerful -- which is maybe another way
of saying that this writer counts himself as part of the cult too," wrote John Rockwell
in The New York Times) as well as peers ("Melanie," insisted jazz piano virtuoso
Roger Kellaway, "is extraordinary to the point that she could be sitting in front of us in
this room and sing something like 'Momma Momma' right to us, and it would just go
right through your entire being.")
In the years that followed Melanie continued to record, continued to tour.
UNICEF made her its spokesperson; Jimi Hendrix's father introduced her to the
multitude assembled for the twentieth anniversary of Woodstock. Her records
continued to sell -- more than eighty million to date. She's had her songs covered by
singers as diverse as Cher, Dolly Parton, and Macy Gray. She's raised a family, won
an Emmy, opened a restaurant, written a musical about Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity
Jane…
She has, in short, lived a rare life. But all of it was just a prelude to what's about to
come.
"For the first time, I'm not afraid to voice exactly what I feel. I used to feel that I didn't
want to say too much, but now I can say anything. I feel like a person who's never
been heard. Maybe people think they've heard me, but they never really have. I'm a
new artist who is having so much fun with my voice -- a person shouldn't be allowed
to have so much fun. I'm the woman I wanted to be when I was sixteen and going for
Edith Piaf. It's me -- I'm back."
(Written by Robert L. Doerschuk)
Ballerina
Melanie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you do a great song and dance
Mamma used to rock you with a concertina
To the tune of a rock 'n' roll band
You were such a little lady
A pretty little baby
Had the look that could undo a full grown man
But you do a great song and dance
You never went further than that first tondu
But your smile sure made 'em rave
I'll bet you made your mom and daddy proud of you
When that float drove by and you waved
You were everybody's dream
A cutie beauty queen
Destined for a life of romance
You didn't grow up to be a ballerina
But you do a great song and dance
Put on your tutu
Do a great song and dance
Oh yeah you do do
Do a great song and dance
Well you made the grades in every class at school
It must've been your natural charm
When it was hot outside you always could stay cool
With that boy in your eye and the one in your arms
Never mind the arabesque
You do what you did best
Come on we're gonna give the girl a hand
Ah, you didn't grow up to be a ballerina
But you do a great song and dance
Put on your tutu
Do a great song and dance
Oh yeah you do do
Do a great song and dance
The song "Ballerina" by Melanie is an ode to a beautiful and charismatic woman who, despite not fulfilling the stereotype of a graceful ballerina, has a tremendous talent for singing and dancing. The lyrics describe how this woman's natural beauty and charm were evident from a young age, and how she was destined for a life of romance and adoration. The song speaks to the idea that talent and success come in many different forms, and that true beauty lies in being true to oneself.
The line "Mamma used to rock you with a concertina to the tune of a rock 'n' roll band" is particularly poignant, as it highlights the contrast between the traditional, classical instrument of a concertina and the modern, rebellious style of rock and roll. This suggests that the woman in the song defies traditional expectations and standards, yet still manages to create something beautiful and compelling.
Overall, "Ballerina" is a celebration of individuality and diversity. It encourages listeners to embrace their unique talents and characteristics, rather than trying to fit into a preconceived mold. The song is an uplifting and empowering anthem for anyone who has ever felt like they don't quite fit in, yet still manages to shine in their own way.
Line by Line Meaning
You didn't grow up to be a ballerina
Despite not following one's childhood dreams, there's still potential for greatness.
But you do a great song and dance
Pursuing a different path can lead to finding one's true passion and talent.
Mamma used to rock you with a concertina
Parents will try to instill their own passions in their children, but it's ultimately up to the child to choose their own path.
To the tune of a rock 'n' roll band
Parents might try to mold their children to fit their own preferences, but children have their own tastes.
You were such a little lady
The artist is admiring the person for their personality and looks as a child.
A pretty little baby
The person was always good-looking and had an air of innocence when young.
Had the look that could undo a full grown man
The person was so attractive as a child that it could make adult men feel anything from awe to discomfort.
You never went further than that first tondu
The person didn't quite make it to their childhood dream, but that's okay.
But your smile sure made 'em rave
The person's personality and energy more than made up for any lack of ballet skills.
I'll bet you made your mom and daddy proud of you
Parents will love their children for who they are, not just for what they achieve.
When that float drove by and you waved
The person probably did something like waving from a parade float as a child and got a lot of attention for it.
You were everybody's dream
The person was the ideal of youthful beauty and cuteness.
A cutie beauty queen
The person was attractive and charming enough to have been a beauty pageant contestant.
Destined for a life of romance
The person was so attractive and likable that they seemed meant to find a romantic partner easily.
Put on your tutu
The singer is encouraging the person to embrace their inner ballerina, even if it's just for fun.
Do a great song and dance
The artist is encouraging the person to embrace whatever talent they have.
Well you made the grades in every class at school
The person was a good student and excelled at every subject.
It must've been your natural charm
In addition to being smart, the person was probably also charismatic and well-liked.
When it was hot outside you always could stay cool
The person was able to handle any situation with ease and grace.
With that boy in your eye and the one in your arms
The person was always popular with both boys and girls.
Never mind the arabesque
The artist is saying that even if the person didn't achieve their childhood dream of being a ballerina, it doesn't matter.
You do what you did best
The artist is saying that the person should embrace their own talents, rather than trying to fit into someone else's mold.
Come on we're gonna give the girl a hand
The singer is complimenting the person and supporting them in their efforts.
Ah, you didn't grow up to be a ballerina
The artist is acknowledging that the person might have had a different childhood dream, but it's okay.
Oh yeah you do do
The singer is encouraging the person to continue pursuing their own passions and talents.
Put on your tutu
The singer is encouraging the person to embrace whatever they love, even if it seems silly or childish.
Do a great song and dance
The singer is encouraging the person to embrace their unique personality and charm.
Contributed by Alex Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
worthy istheLamb
Honestly she is such a beautiful and humble dancer. When I watch her I see grace, innocence, and purity.... Just gorgeous. Go, Melanie!!! Super endearing.
TakeNoPrisoners 83
Her talent is almost intimidated because she looks so very young. I can only imagine where her beauty and grace will bring her threw her career. I could watch her for hours and never get bored. She is so amazing!! I hope she understands this, she seems so shy and happy in the back when she belongs front and center!!
Kimberly
I love Maya & Melanie! Both beautiful dancers, so graceful, delicate and the absolute pure essence of perfection! ❤
Michelle F
You can tell they all work hard on their craft.
MrPainfulTruth
As pretty and graceful this all is, the most impressive part for me is how they manage to memorize those super complicated choreographies in so little time. Even if in another life and universe i had the physical tools to do this, i'd be lost after two steps.
☆ Shaydi ☆
That’s me, I have the memory of a gold fish when it comes to remembering choreography, it’s really embarrassing because everyone else in my class and my sister (she likes to watch) can remember the dance after only my dance instructor goes over it 3 or 4 times and i only get 3 steps remembered when she had us try it with the music 😢😅
Elsa Painvin
Actually your brain has been trained since childhood to memorize movements according to music, it's really very easy after a while. thank the plasticity of the brain for that. it's as if a part of your brain is overtrained like people who play the piano for example.
dumb blonde 😘
Eventually, you get used to picking up quickly. It’s one of the first things we’re trained to do in ballet, jazz, tap, any class. And practicing at home helps a lot too.
Gina Musaelyan
Thank god some of them are not just athletes but artists. We have muscle memory from training and for those that have no brain to memorize steps ( I never could explain any of combinations I danced as a dancer but I could dance them) there is always intuition. One can learn to professionalize it over the years. Steps will never really be understood on a conscious level though and its hard to survive at that job next to those that do not have these issues. I would though go as far as to say that the "intuitive ones" are more musical and expressive in class...downside can be weaker technique
jade brainiac
her arms and hands are sooo graceful and delicate yet she still shows powerful emotion even in her fingertips!
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