The most familiar line-up included Eve Graham, Lyn Paul, Marty Kristian, Peter Doyle and Paul Layton. In addition to having several big hits, the group represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 1972, finishing in second place. Author & Historian John Kennedy O'Connor notes in The Eurovision Song Contest - The Official History, that they got the biggest cheer of the night from the live audience in Edinburgh. They were hot favourites to represent the UK again in 1980 (albeit with only Paul & Marty still in the line up) with the song "Tell Me" but it was disqualified shortly before the televised final of A Song for Europe. Had they appeared in the 1980 UK contest, the group would have been up against their former lead singer Danny Finn who had recently married Eve Graham and was now the lead singer of the winning group Prima Donna. In addition, Mick Flynn and Donna Jones, two members of the current (2007) line up of The New Seekers were also in the field, competing under the group name Pussyfoot.
Their hit single "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing", adapted from an advertising jingle for Coca-Cola, appeared 81st on the list of the UK's best-selling singles issued in 2002. It sold just under one million copies in the United Kingdom alone. The version used in the Coca-Cola television commercials was credited to The Hillside Singers, as many people of various backgrounds and cultures sang the song, holding Coca-Cola bottles on a hillside in the commercial. "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" was so firmly connected with the Coca-Cola product that it eventually became known as "The Coke Song". The song was relaunched in Coca-Cola commercials in 2005.
Other hit singles by The New Seekers included "Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma", "Beautiful People" and "The Nickel Song", all of which were written by Melanie Safka. The New Seekers went on to sell over 35 million records worldwide, equalling the eight UK Top Twenty entries by The Seekers. Indeed, they released four albums during 1972 alone.
They also performed the title track to the now-legendary Marlo Thomas television special, "Free to Be... You and Me", a landmark program designed to teach kids how to express themselves and be independent through a series of vignettes which was rebroadcast on the cable network TV Land in late 2006 as a special add-on to their initial run of the classic series, THAT GIRL. Since the special was first broadcast in 1973 the song itself has since become a pop cult classic in its own right.
The New Seekers have continued to perform over the decades with an inevitable personnel changes which included Peter Oliver, Danny Finn, Caitriona Walsh, Nicola Kerr and Vikki James. The New Seekers toured in 2006 and 2007 with the established line up of: Paul Layton, Donna Jones, Francine Rees, Mick Flynn and Mark Hankins. A CD of the 2006 tour was released which includes all of the group's hits along with covers of 'Reflections', 'Run to Me' and 'Strangest Dream'. 2006 was completed with a Royal Variety performance at St. James Palace, London for HRH Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and an appearance on ITV's This Morning. The group are currently managed by Nic Culverwell.
The group's official website is at www.thenewseekers.com and myspace at www.myspace.com/thenewseekersofficial
Look What They've Done To My Song Ma
The New Seekers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look what they done to my song
Well, it's the only thing that I could do half right
And it's turning out all wrong, ma
Look what they done to my song
Wish I could find a good book to live in
Wish I could find a good book
I'd never have to come out and look at
What they done to my song
Look what they done to my brain, ma
Look what they done to my brain
Well they picked it like a chicken bone
And I think I'm half insane, ma
Look what they done to my brain
Ils ont changé ma chanson, ma
Ils ont changé ma chanson
C'est la seule chose que je peux faire
Et ce n'est pas bon, ma
Ils ont changé ma chanson
Look what they done to my song, ma
Look what they done to my song, ma
Well they tied it up in a plastic bag
Then turned it upside down, ma
Look what they done to my song
La la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la
Well, it's the only thing I could do half right
And it's turning out all wrong, ma
Oh mama, look what they done to my song
Oh mama, look what they done to my song, ma
Look what they done to my song
Well, it's the only thing I could do alright
And it's turning out all wrong
Oh mama, look what they done to my song
The New Seekers' song "Look What They've Done To My Song Ma" is a poignant commentary on the state of popular music in the late 60s and early 70s. The song laments how the artist's work can be altered and distorted by the music industry and the wider public. In the opening stanza, the artist acknowledges that their song was the only thing they could do half-right, meaning that it was possibly their best effort but still flawed. However, the alterations made to the song turn out "all wrong," implying that the original intent and essence of the song has been lost. The refrain "Look what they done to my song ma" is a cry of dismay at this loss of artistic control over their own work.
The second stanza continues the theme of dissatisfaction with the artist's work being altered by others. The metaphor of wishing to live in a good book suggests a desire for a pure and unadulterated way of expressing themselves, without the possibility of their work being changed by others. Instead, they are forced to confront what has been done to their song, and the result is not what they had intended. The following verses express a frustration with how the artist's brain has been "picked like a chicken bone" by the music industry, leading them to feel "half-insane" at the situation.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the commodification of popular music and how this can lead to the loss of an artist's original intent and creative vision. It is a powerful statement against the devaluing of artistic expression and the erosion of creative autonomy.
Line by Line Meaning
Look what they done to my song, ma
The singer laments the changes made to their song, expressing disappointment and frustration.
Look what they done to my song
The singer repeats their initial statement, highlighting their distress over the alterations made to their musical creation.
Well, it's the only thing that I could do half right
The singer acknowledges their limitations in creating music, but expresses sadness that even their best attempt has been compromised.
And it's turning out all wrong, ma
The artist describes how the changes have negatively affected their song, expressing their disappointment and sense of loss.
Wish I could find a good book to live in
The artist expresses a desire for escape and a way to avoid confronting the changes made to their song.
Wish I could find a good book
The singer repeats their desire for a means of escape and solace from the world around them.
Well if I could find a real good book
The singer expands on their previous thought, imagining the potential comfort and safety they could find in a good book.
I'd never have to come out and look at
The artist emphasizes their desire to avoid facing the changes and aftermath of their altered song.
What they done to my song
The artist returns to their primary concern, expressing their shock and dismay at the changes made to their musical creation.
Look what they done to my brain, ma
The artist shifts their focus to the personal impact of the changes, comparing it to the damage inflicted upon a chicken bone.
Well they picked it like a chicken bone
The singer continues their analogy, describing the way their brain has been picked apart and damaged by the changes made to their song.
And I think I'm half insane, ma
The artist expresses their mental distress and the impact of the changes on their state of mind.
Ils ont changé ma chanson, ma
The singer repeats the opening lines in French, adding a layer of linguistic variation to emphasize the universality of their message.
C'est la seule chose que je peux faire
The singer explains the importance of their song as the one thing they feel capable of doing well.
Et ce n'est pas bon, ma
The singer expresses their sadness over the changes made to their song and the negative impact it has had upon them.
Well they tied it up in a plastic bag
The artist describes the changes made to their song in vivid and tangible terms, comparing it to being suffocated and restrained by a plastic bag.
Then turned it upside down, ma
The artist emphasizes the severity of the changes made to their song and the traumatic effect it has had upon them.
La la la la la la la la la
The singer briefly detaches from their lyrical narrative, using simple vocalizations to express their distress and sadness over the changes made to their song.
Oh mama, look what they done to my song
The singer again addresses their mother, expressing their sadness and disappointment over the changes made to their song.
Oh mama, look what they done to my song, ma
The artist repeats their previous line, repeating their lamentation over the alterations made to their song.
Well, it's the only thing I could do half right
The artist repeats their acknowledgment of their limitations, expressing disappointment that even their best attempt has been compromised.
And it's turning out all wrong
The artist describes the negative impact the changes have had on their song, still expressing sadness and disappointment.
Oh mama, look what they done to my song
The singer concludes their song by repeating their initial lamentation, emphasizing the continuing impact of the changes made to their song.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Melanie Safka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertreynolds1606
Look what they've done to my song, ma
Look what they've done to my song
Well, it's the only thing that I could do half right
And it's turning out all wrong, ma
Look what they've done to my song
Look what they've done to my brain, ma
Look what they've done to my brain
Well, they picked it like a chicken bone
And I think I'm half insane, ma
Look what they've done to my song
I wish I could find a good book to live in
Wish I could find a good book
Will if I could find a real good book
I'd never have to come out and look at
What they've done to my song
La da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da
La da da da da da
Look what they've done to my song
But maybe, it'll all be all right, ma
Maybe, it'll all be okay
Well, if the people are buying tears
I'll be rich someday, ma
Look what they've done to my song
Ils ont change ma chanson, ma
Ils ont change ma chanson
C'est la seule chose que je peuz faire
Et ce n'est pas bon, ma
Ils ont change ma chanson
Look what they've done to my song, ma
Look what they've done to my song, ma
Well, they tied it up in a plastic bag
Turned it upside down, ma
Look what they've done to my song
Ils ont change ma chanson, ma
Ils ont change ma chanson
C'est la seule chose que je peuz faire
Et ce n'est pas bon, ma
Ils ont change ma chanson
Look what they've done to my song, ma
Ma, look what they've done to my song
It's the only thing I could do all right
And they turned it upside down, oh ma
Look what they've done to my song
@Mike1960s-teenager
I fell in love with this beautiful lady and her voice in the 60`s and I have loved her ever since.
@royaumeuni5730
I liked her very much too and I understand why when I see this again.
@shyman99
The New Seekers had a fascinating history starting with their initial success coming from this 1970 single in the US. Yet it didn't crack the UK top 40. But the following year they made it big in the UK with "Never Ending Song Of Love", while the US played the version by Delaney & Bonnie instead. Their releases would continue to be big in some countries & not others. But the two singles where the New Seekers & the world came together are: "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" in 1971 and "Pinball Wizard/See Me Feel Me" in 1973. The latter is my favorite and is an amazing performance.
@chygwelanmeneth
I agree - Their version of Pinball Wizard etc is superb - even Pete Townshend (from The Who) liked it.
@themotownboy1
I love this song. The original was written and recorded by Melanie (Safka-Schekeryk). I think the lyrics are about the music industry and what they do to an artist's work.
@lucreciallugdar6421
Divina está canción!! Tantos recuerdos!!!
@kentdouglass1001
Best version of this song ever done. 👍
@that70sgirl90
What a Fantastic voice! I haven't heard this in a long time. "What Have You're Done to My Song." Isn't that the truth. What have they've done to all the songs today? Thank you for sharing! 💖
@cbyam1300
What a wonderful strong, pure voice. Eve is singing again mow & she still sounds fantastic !
@jeffking4176
The New Seekers had an International hit with “I’d Like To Teach The World “ , which was a jingle for COKE, - and due to massive amounts of phone calls to radio stations, they finished it out, turned it into a fantastic full length song. - I believe , the only time that has ever happened.
📻🙂