“Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” (Melanie)

Today’s classic song of the day is “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” by Melanie. Released in March of 1970, this single peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Cash Box Top 100.

“Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” was written by the singer (full name: Melanie Safka) and recorded with the Edwin Hawkins Singers, a popular gospel group that had their own hit the previous year with “Oh Happy Day.” The lyrics reflect Ms. Safka’s impressions of performing at the Woodstock festival the year before, looking out at the sea of humanity in the muddy fields:

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 began performing in coffeehouses when she was just a teenager and burst onto the scene in 1969 with her self-titled album for Buddah Records, which included the semi-hit “Beautiful People.” Her style was a little folkie and a little hippie, which was perfect for the times. Getting on the Woodstock bill was a career changer for her, leading to wider recognition and the song “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).”

Melanie went on to have several mainstream hits, including “Peace Will Come (According to Plan),” “Nickel Song,” “Ring the Living Bell,” and her only #1 hit, the charming “Brand New Key” (AKA the roller skate song). Her popularity waned as the ’70s progressed and the hippie movement declined, although her 1976 album, Photograph, is an overlooked gem and one of my favorite albums of the decade. She passed away on January 23, 2024, age 76.

And here’s your bonus video of the day, Melanie performing “Lay Down” live with the Edwin Hawkins Singers, and talking about how the song came about. I find it compelling.