Initially signed to Columbia Records in the United States, Melanie released two singles on the label. Subsequently she signed with Buddah Records and first found chart success in Europe when her 1969 song "Bobo's Party" reached Number 1 in France. Her debut album received rave reviews from Billboard Magazine which heralded her voice as "... wise beyond her years. Her non-conformist approach to the selections on this LP make her a new talent to be reckoned with."
Later in 1969 Melanie had a hit in the Netherlands with "Beautiful People" before performing at the Woodstock Festival. The inspiration for her signature song "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" apparently arose from the Woodstock audience lighting candles during her set. A gospel-boosted genuine one-off, that combined high drama with Melanie's trademark hippie sincerity, the recording became a hit in Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States in the spring and summer of 1970. The B-side of the single featured Melanie's spoken-word track "Candles in the Rain". "Lay Down" became Melanie's first Top Ten hit in America, peaking at #6 on the Billboard singles chart, and a worldwide success. Later hits included "Peace Will Come (According To Plan)" and a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday".
In 1970 Melanie was the only artist to brave the court injunction banning the Powder Ridge Rock Festival, playing for the crowd on a homemade stage powered by Mister Softee trucks. Shortly following this performance, Melanie played at the Strawberry Fields music festival, held on August 7-9, 1970 at Mosport Racetrack, Ontario, Canada. She also performed at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 where she was introduced by Keith Moon and received four standing ovations. Melanie was also the artist who sang to herald in the summer solstice at Glastonbury Fayre (later the Glastonbury Festival) in England in June 1971.
After leaving Buddah Records because they insisted that she produce albums on demand, Melanie formed her own label, Neighborhood Records, in 1971 with her producer/husband Peter Schekeryk.
It was on the Neighborhood label that Melanie had her biggest American hit with the novelty-sounding 1972 number one, "Brand New Key" (often referred to as "The Roller Skate Song"). "Brand New Key" sold over three million copies worldwide and was featured in the 1997 movie Boogie Nights.
Melanie's most recent album, Paled by Dimmer Light, was released in 2004. It was co-produced by Peter and Beau-Jarred Schekeryk and includes the songs "To Be the One", "Extraordinary", "Make It Work" and "I Tried to Die Young". In early 2005 most of Melanie's back-catalogue was re-released on the internet-only music label ItsAboutMusic.com. After a series of disagreements the relationship between the artist and the label was severed.
In 2007, Melanie was invited by Jarvis Cocker to perform at the Meltdown Festival at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Her sold-out performance received critical acclaim with The Independent claiming "it was hard to disagree that Melanie has earned her place alongside Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell and Marianne Faithfull in the pantheon of iconic female singers. Meltdown was all the better for her presence". The concert was filmed for a DVD entitled Melanie: For One Night Only which was released in October 2007.
She also recorded a song called "Psychotherapy", sung to the tune of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic", which parodies aspects of Freudian psychoanalysis. It has been played on the Dr. Demento show.
Melanie identifies herself politically as a Libertarian, stating: "I'm a total Libertarian, and I am not a Democrat, a Socialist, or a Republican."
Beautiful People
Melanie safka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You live in the same world as I do
But somehow I never noticed
You before today
I'm ashamed to say
Beautiful people
We share the same back door
We never met before
But then
We may never meet again
If I weren't afraid you'd laugh at me
I would run and take all your hands
And I'd gather everyone together for a day
And when we gather'd
I'll pass buttons out that say
Beautiful people
Then you'd never have to be alone
'Cause there'll always be someone
With the same button on as you
Include him in everything you do
Beautiful people
You ride the same subway
As I do ev'ry morning
That's got to tell you something
We've got so much in common
I go the same direction that you do
So if you take care of me
Maybe I'll take care of you
Beautiful people
You look like friends of mine
And it's about time
That someone said it here and now
I make a vow that some time, somehow
I'll have a meeting
Invite ev'ryone you know
I'll pass out buttons to
The ones who come to show
Beautiful people
Never have to be alone
'Cause there'll always be someone
With the same button on as you
Include him in ev'rything you do
He may be sitting right next to you
He may be beautiful people too
And if you take care of him
Maybe I'll take care of you
'Cause all of the beautiful people do
And you're all beautiful people too
The lyrics to Melanie Safka's song "Beautiful People" express the desire for unity and connection between people who may have never met before. The song speaks to the fact that so often, we pass by people who live in the same world as us, go in the same direction, and experience the same struggles, yet fail to recognize their humanity and the potential for a meaningful connection. The song acknowledges the shame that can come with this disconnect and makes a vow to change it. If the singer wasn't afraid of being laughed at, she would take the hands of all the beautiful people and gather everyone together for a day where they would wear buttons that declare their beauty and never have to be alone again.
The song highlights the importance of empathy, encouraging people to include others in everything they do, even if they may not look like friends of theirs. It acknowledges that it's about time somebody said it and takes responsibility for making a meeting to bring everyone together. The song ends by suggesting that baring kindness and caring for each other will lead to being cared for and surrounded by beautiful people who share in the same button and values.
Overall, the song delivers a message of hope and inclusion for all, and reminds us that no matter how different we may appear on the surface, at the end of the day, we are all beautiful people, deserving of love and respect.
Line by Line Meaning
Beautiful people
Melanie is addressing the listener, calling them beautiful people
You live in the same world as I do
But somehow I never noticed
You before today
I'm ashamed to say
Though they coexist in the same world, Melanie is admitting to never having noticed the listener before, expressing embarrassment for overlooking them
We share the same back door
And it isn't right
We never met before
But then
We may never meet again
If I weren't afraid you'd laugh at me
I would run and take all your hands
And I'd gather everyone together for a day
And when we gather'd
I'll pass buttons out that say
Beautiful people
Then you'd never have to be alone
'Cause there'll always be someone
With the same button on as you
Include him in everything you do
Melanie observes that they live in close proximity and laments that they've never met, but fears being ridiculed if she reached out. She imagines a day where they all come together, handing out buttons so that the beautiful people can recognize each other and include one another in their lives
You ride the same subway
As I do ev'ry morning
That's got to tell you something
We've got so much in common
I go the same direction that you do
So if you take care of me
Maybe I'll take care of you
Melanie notes that they commute together every day, despite having never met. She senses that they have much in common and offers the idea of mutual care and support
You look like friends of mine
And it's about time
That someone said it here and now
I make a vow that some time, somehow
I'll have a meeting
Invite ev'ryone you know
I'll pass out buttons to
The ones who come to show
Melanie remarks that the listener resembles her friends and asserts that someone needs to recognize it. She makes a promise to eventually host a gathering, inviting everyone the listener knows and providing buttons for attendees
Never have to be alone
'Cause there'll always be someone
With the same button on as you
Include him in ev'rything you do
He may be sitting right next to you
He may be beautiful people too
And if you take care of him
Maybe I'll take care of you
'Cause all of the beautiful people do
And you're all beautiful people too
Melanie emphasizes that wearing the button can signify that they are part of a larger group and encourage inclusivity. She urges the listener to care for others wearing the button, as all the beautiful people do, and acknowledges that they too, are beautiful people themselves
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@_.da._.moon._
Omg... My mom showed me this song a few days ago, and I just love it! I'm 14, and Im really thankful to my mom for showing this masterpiece to me. This is way better than most recent songs. I'm speechless. This song feels really emocional. And its so unique! I'm sad I wasn't alive in this era... Really really sad.
@TheNosferatu666
I'm now 52 🤣 , AND nothing changed!
@dianelaag2944
I’m so glad your mom shared this song with you especially during these difficult times we are living in. Talk to your mom about the way things were back when this music was popular. You’re not the only person who wishes to have lived back then.
Peace
@_.da._.moon._
@Diane Laag :)
@LockhartSpain
I'm forty, but I've known this song since I was a child because it was on a tape of my parents' favourite songs that they recorded before we emigrated.
This was another on the same tape:
https://youtu.be/9c49aDWrzeA
@lisettebaars8675
My dad did that also, i am now 44. I share youre feeling.
@TheUnofficialRockandRoll-is8uq
RIP Beautiful Melanie, you were always and will always be a Beautiful People!
@josboudewijns9183
Well said, remember her at
@josboudewijns9183
Woodstock
@user-dh5xi5lo9o
Lovely Melanie, rest in peace. You're no longer here, but your music goes on to live forever. Condolences to the family.