Melanie
Melanie in 1975
Background information
Birth name	Melanie Anne Safka
Born	(1947-02-03)February 3, 1947 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	January 23, 2024(2024-01-23) (aged 76)
Genres	Folk, pop, country
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, musician
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1967–2024
Labels	Buddha, Neighborhood, Atlantic
Website	melaniesafka.com

Melanie Anne Safka (February 3, 1947 – January 23, 2024), better known as Melanie, was an American singer and songwriter.^[1] 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.^[2]

Melanie died on January 23, 2024 at the age of 76.^[3]

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

1. ↑ "Melanie Safka Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
2. ↑ "Meet the 'Brand New' Melanie". Westerly Sun. Retrieved June 21, 2017.^{[permanent dead link]}
3. ↑ Willman, Chris (January 24, 2024). "Melanie, Singer Who Performed at Woodstock and Topped Charts With 'Brand New Key,' Dies at 76". Variety.

Media related to Melanie Safka at Wikimedia Commons

• A Guide To The Recordings of Melanie