We were so close, there was no room
We bled inside each other’s wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace
Some came to sing, some came to pray
Some came to keep the dark away

— Melanie, Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)

Wasn’t going to write this morning. Looking for the Muse, you know. That kind of thing. But I thought it should be noted that singer/songwriter Melanie died this week at the age of 76. Most of you who remember Melanie most likely immediately think of a couple of her hits from the early 1970’s, most notably, Look What They’ve Done to My Song, Ma and Brand New Key. The latter was almost a novelty hit with lyrics that may be familiar to you if you are of a certain age: I’ve got a brand new pair of rollerskates/ You got a brand new key.

But she had chops, being one of only three solo women to perform at Woodstock. In fact, this song, Lay Down (Candles in the Rain), was written about her experience at that festival. It’s a song that dropped off my radar for many years until I found it again a few years back. I always get a thrill out of this version with the Edwin Hawkins Singers.

Great and memorable stuff. G’bye, Melanie. Thanks.

Now, where’s that Muse?