Melanie (singer)

Melanie Anne Safka (February 3, 1947 – January 23, 2024), better known as Melanie, was an American singer and songwriter. She was best known for hit songs, like "Ruby Tuesday" and "Brand New Key". Another well-known song was about performing at the 1969 Woodstock Festival: "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)".

In 1989, Melanie won an Emmy Award for writing the lyrics to "The First Time I Loved Forever". It was the theme song to the television series Beauty and the Beast.

One of Melanie's songs, "Brand New Key", was banned by some radio stations because the lyrics could be teasing about sex.

Melanie was born in the Astoria area of Queens in New York City.

Melanie died on January 23, 2024 at the age of 76.

 Further reading 
 Melanie: The First Lady of Woodstock (2011); a biography by John Lambo

References

 Other websites 

A Guide To The Recordings of Melanie 

Category:Musicians from New York City
Category:1947 births
Category:2024 deaths
Category:American Emmy Award winners
Category:Singer-songwriters from New York City
Category:American country guitarists
Category:American country singers
Category:American folk singers
Category:American pop singers