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)
Intro to Brand New Key
Melanie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I roller skated to your door at day light
It almost seems like you're avoiding me
I'm okay alone, but you got something I need
Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together and try them out, you see
Oh, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car
Don't go too fast, but I go pretty far
For somebody who don't drive I been all around the world
Some people say I done alright for a girl
Oh yeah yeah, oh yeah yeah yeah
Oh yeah yeah yeah
Oh yeah yeah yeah
I asked your mother if you were at home
She said, "Yes", but you weren't alone
Oh, sometimes I think that you're avoiding me
I'm okay alone, but you got something I need
Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together and try them out, you see
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la
Oh, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
The first verse describes the singer's attempt to get the attention of the person she is interested in. She rode her bicycle past their window at night and roller skated to their door during the day, but it seems like the person is avoiding her. The singer insists that she is okay being alone, but she still needs something from the person. In the chorus, she reveals that she has a brand new pair of roller skates, while the person has a brand new key. She suggests they should get together and try them out.
The second verse shows the singer's independence and adventurous spirit. She does not drive a car, but she travels all around the world, which some people say is impressive "for a girl." The final part includes the singer talking to the person's mother, who confirms that they are at home but not alone. The singer wonders if the person is avoiding her and reiterates that she needs something from them. As before, she suggests that they try out their new pair of roller skates and key together.
The song has a playful and flirtatious tone throughout. It is often considered a signature song of the early 1970s and of the singer, Melanie. While it has been interpreted in various ways over the years, many believe that it is about a young woman pursuing a romantic interest who seems reluctant to reciprocate her feelings. The roller skates and key are a metaphor for their compatibility, and the singer is attempting to convince the person to give her a chance.
Line by Line Meaning
I rode my bicycle past your window last night
I cycled past your window last night.
I roller skated to your door at day light
I arrived at your door in daylight, skating on my roller skates.
It almost seems like you're avoiding me
It appears as if you are avoiding me.
I'm okay alone, but you got something I need
I am content alone, but you have something that I require.
Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
I have a brand new pair of roller skates.
You got a brand new key
You possess a new key.
I think that we should get together and try them out, you see
I believe that we should meet up and try them out together.
I been looking around a while, you got something for me
I have been searching for a while, and you possess something that I need.
Oh, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
Oh, I have a brand new pair of roller skates.
You got a brand new key
You possess a new key.
I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car
I ride my bike, and skate on my roller skates. I do not drive.
Don't go too fast, but I go pretty far
I may not go quickly, but I have travelled quite a distance.
For somebody who don't drive I been all around the world
For someone who doesn't drive, I have been around the world.
Some people say I done alright for a girl
Some people believe I have done well for a woman.
Oh yeah yeah, oh yeah yeah yeah
Vocals
Oh yeah yeah yeah
Vocals
Oh yeah yeah yeah
Vocals
I asked your mother if you were at home
I inquired your mother if you were at your residence.
She said, 'Yes', but you weren't alone
She confirmed that you were at your residence, but you were not by yourself.
Oh, sometimes I think that you're avoiding me
Occasionally, I believe that you are intentionally avoiding me.
I'm okay alone, but you got something I need
I am content alone, but you have something that I require.
Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
I have a brand new pair of roller skates.
You got a brand new key
You possess a new key.
I think that we should get together and try them out, you see
I believe that we should meet up and try them out together.
La la la la la la la la
Vocals
La la la la la la
Vocals
Oh, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
Oh, I have a brand new pair of roller skates.
You got a brand new key
You possess a new key.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Melanie Safka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jennymccoy5832
I rode my bicycle past your window last night
I roller skated to your door at daylight
It almost seems like you're avoiding me
I'm okay alone but you got something I need
Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together
And try them out, you see
I been looking around awhile
You got something for me
Oh, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car
Don't go too fast but I go pretty far
For somebody who don't drive, I been all around the world
Some people say, I done all right for a girl
I asked your mother if you were at home
She said yes, but you weren't alone
Oh, sometimes I think that you're avoiding me
I'm okay alone but you've got something I need
Well, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together
And try them out, you see
Oh, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
@descendantsanddoctorwhofan5998
I drove my tractor through your haystack last night (ooh aah ooh aah)
I threw me pitchfork at your dog to keep quiet (ooh aah ooh aah)
Now something's telling me
That you'm avoiding me
Come on now darling you've got something I need
Cuz I got a brand new combine harvester
An' I'll give you the key
Come on now let's get together
In perfect harmony
I got twenty acres
An' you got fortythree
Now I got a brand new combine harvester
An' I'll give you the key
She made I laugh ha ha
I'll stick by you, I'll give you all that you need
We'll 'ave twins and triplets
I'm a man built for speed
And you know I'll love you darlin'
So give me your hand
But what I want the most
Is all they acres of land
Cuz I got a brand new combine harvester
An' I'll give you the key
Come on now let's get together
In perfect harmony
I got twenty acres
An' you got forty-three
Now I got a brand new combine harvester
An' I'll give you the key
Ooaah she's a lovely bit of stuff an' all
For seven long years I've been alone in this place
Eat, sleep, in the kitchen, it's a proper disgrace
Now if I cleaned it up would you change your mind
I'll give up drinking scrumpy and that lager and lime
Cuz I got a brand new combine harvester
An' I'll give you the key
Come on now let's get together
In perfect harmony
I got twenty acres
An' you got forty-three
Now I got a brand new combine harvester
An' I'll give you the key
Who loves ya baby ha
Weren't we a grand couple at that last wurzel dance
I wore brand new gaters and me cordouroy pants
In your new Sunday dress with your perfume smelling grand
We had our photos took and us holding hands
Now I got a brand new combine harvester
An' I'll give you the key
Now that we'me both past our fifties I think that you and me
Should stop this galavanting and will you marry me
Coz I got a brand new combine harvester
An' I'll give you the key
Aahh yu're a fine looking woman and I can't wait to get me 'ands on your land
@Megafoot2164
RIP Melanie 💔 I grew up up listening that song.
My mum used to try to hit the high notes in jest and we’d all laugh when it came on the radio. So much fun .
Condolences to her family, friends and all the fans. The music lives on.
RIP Melanie 🎼🎸❤️💔😪
@AnnWelch-jy7ds
Astonishingly I can STILL hit the high notes ha ha ha. Loved this song.
@scottrobinson529
Did you ever see the animation they made for it? I think it was on a variety show. Sony and share or Carol Burnett or something.
@ArtByAugleAugle
Amen
@kylaanklam6415
I can’t believe this is how I’ve learned of her passing RIP Melanie!
@antman5474
Me too. Her YouTube channel.
Kinda saddened.
She was a poppet ❤
@danceswithcritters
For those who may not know, the old style roller skates needed a key for making adjustments .(sorry, I'll go now) .
@taylajane2752
I didnt really understand the song 😂 it makes sense now thankyou
@bluesloverdelux5010
Don't go man,you're ok :D
@boxxylegoplaymobil8906
i dunno, melanie never mentioned that in all the interviews she gave about this song. she did mention it wasnt a reference to anything specific, more about her drive and focus after her father was teaching her how to rollerskate and how she'd always fall when she realized he wasnt holding her. she remarked the freudian imagery of keys and dicks was pretty well-established, but just came to her ex nihilo.