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)
California Dreamin'
Melanie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.
California dreamin' on such a winter's day.
Stopped into a church I passed along the way
You know the preacher lights the coals, he knows I'm gonna stay
California dreamin' on such a winter's day.
All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
California dreamin' on such a winter's day.
Melanie's version of "California Dreamin'" is a cover of The Mamas & The Papas' original song, which was released in 1965. The song's opening line, "All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey," describes the cold and dreary winter weather and sets the scene for the rest of the song. The singer longs for the warmth and sunshine of California, where they would be "safe and warm." This dream of California is persistent throughout much of the song, and the lyrics suggest that the singer is desperate to escape their current reality and find solace in a different place.
The second verse of the song describes the singer stopping into a church and pretending to pray. The preacher lights the coals and knows that the singer is going to stay, perhaps implying that the singer is looking for some kind of spiritual guidance or connection. The image of the church also adds to the overall yearning for something greater than oneself, as if the singer is searching for something more meaningful than what they currently have.
The repetition of the chorus at the beginning and end of the song reinforces the idea that the singer is fixated on this dream of California, even as they experience the harshness of winter. Despite the cold and grey surroundings, the idea of California offers hope and escape, making it a powerful symbol in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey
The melancholic landscape symbolizes the feeling of sadness and despair.
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
Melanie takes a walk to escape her problems and clear her mind.
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.
She associates Los Angeles with safety, comfort and success, a place where her dreams could be fulfilled.
California dreamin' on such a winter's day.
Melanie longs for a better life in California, where she believes everything is possible.
Stopped into a church I passed along the way
She seeks refuge in religion and spirituality to find solace and guidance.
Well I got down on my knees and I pretend to pray
Even though she's not religious, she still hopes that her prayers will be answered.
You know the preacher lights the coals, he knows I'm gonna stay
The preacher understands her struggle and welcomes her presence in his church.
California dreamin' on such a winter's day.
Melanie's aspiration for a better life in California is stronger than ever.
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
Repetition of the chorus emphasizes her longing for a brighter future.
California dreamin' on such a winter's day.
The song ends on an unresolved note, leaving the listener to wonder whether Melanie's dream of California will ever come true.
Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Andert
I've long thought this is one of the best recorded vocal performances of Melanie's career. Just magnificent. Her powers as both a vocalist and an interpreter were probably at their peak during this period, late 70s early 80s.
Barry Thomson
Melanie and Kate Bush must be soul mates , they both manage to rip out feelings of melancholy, ethereal pain,and love spirit at the same time.This is music from the heart. The intro to lay down with the Edwin Hawkins singers, still rings clear all these years later, Magic!!!! Ruby Tuesday is outstanding !!!
haywood652
As far as I'm concerned she's every bit as good as Janis! Her style is haunting and true craftsmanship. No matter whose song she's singing she makes it her own! I truly think she was ahead of her time and I go down memory lane every time I hear her amazing voice! She is a true legend!!
Dr Bob
I totally agree. Melanie always made songs her own, particularly her haunting version of Mr Tambourine Man - sheer class!
Scooby Doo
YES
SirPeter6464
Melanie makes it a whole new song. Just love her voice.
Tammy L. Zabel
It does not matter what song she sings...it brings back memories and makes me feel so good. Melanie is a legend.
TREE HUGGAH
BEST SINGER OF ANY GENERATION!!!!
Björn Isberg
Melanie, I hope this comment reaches you. Your vocals are amazing. Your interpretation of CD succeeds the original by far.
It's not only a comment to the 60's era but also a piece of art in its own. Thank you very much.
littleghost777
LOVE her voice. So beautiful & soulful... 💜