MELANIE and EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS - Lay Down REACTION

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MELANIE and EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS - Lay Down REACTION
#musicreactions
#rockreaction
#musicvideoreaction

[@SweetThing]

Melanie died today. Melanie had a powerful song and a powerful message. "Lay Down" was her anthem that she wrote after she had performed at Woodstock. RIP Melanie and sing with the angels. x

[@peterbartolomeo5542]

She was a wonderful part of my childhood and that era of war and violence came to an end with the peace movement Make Love Not War and singers and artists like Melanie were right out in front fighting for peace. God Rest Her Soul

[@frankingenito]

Melanie is very underrated. She is a wonderful singer and songwriter who is still singing today in her seventies. She has a career that spans about 40 albums. If you don't know her, dig into her catalog. There are many treasures to be found.

[@ChuckHackney]

I adore, adore, adore that voice and the spirit that comes behind it. My fave song is still "Look what they've done to my song".

[@ChuckHackney]

Damn what a gospel, soulful, beautiful voice. Unique but I do hear shades of Janis..

[@wesedwards1128]

Rest in peace beautiful Melanie. I handed her a rose after seeing her at the Berkeley Community theatre in 1971. Missed.

[@Mythoughtonpoliticaltopics]

what happen to her

[@surlechapeau]

Harri, you'll love her "Brand New Key" and "What Have They Done to My Song Ma"!!!

[@mrb4749]

Yes indeed! Her and Miley did a great duet Look what they Done. It's on KZbin. Melanie still has a great voice

[@pilesovinyl]

52 years later and I still get goosebumps...this was an anthem, really big hit and very powerful in the US.

[@threekidzmom04]

ME too and tears

[@amandathibodeau4996]

Agreed! Same!

[@TallBlondeSassy]

The world lost a queen. 76 and truly just as beautiful as she was when she was 23. I've always believed there were only 2 voices that could rival Janis Joplin's pipes... Melanie and Melissa Ethridge. RIP GODDESS.❤😢❤😢❤

[@Cynthia...]

Such a beautiful song on its own but to have the Edwin Hawkins Singers makes it extra special.

[@threekidzmom04]

yes. for sure

[@rkardos4220]

I love that she uses a soft voice that becomes very powerful which really brings a great vibe to this great anthem. RIP Melanie

[@robertbenedickson8845]

I was never a hippie or a flower child and yet this song conjures up so many emotion's in me. It's still an all time top 10 for me. RIP

[@Rhiannon011]

On Melanie's album "Candles in the Rain", at the beginning of this song she speaks these words out loud before she sings>, "Little sisters of the sun, lite candles in the rain, fed the world on oats and raisin, candles in the rain, Maher Baba lives again, candles in the rain, to be there was to remember, so lay it down oh lay it down again, men can live as brothers, candles in the rain"". I may have got a word or two not in proper order, but pretty sure I got most of it. Melanie's song "Peace will come" she said she wrote during and "right after the Vietnam war ended". That would be the song she sang about the Vietnam war and it ending. She has an incredible vocal range and can hold notes very very long! She writes incredibly beautiful poetic lyrics, I have ALL of her albums of which there are many. She is still singing and doing her life's work of trying to make "the world a better place" with her music.

[@joelliebler5690]

My older brother had this album and I was enthralled with it the first time I listened to it at 12 years old.

[@Rhiannon011]

@@joelliebler5690 It is a beautiful album. So many good songs in it. I really liked her remake of the Stones "Ruby Tuesday" in that album.

[@joelliebler5690]

@@Rhiannon011 Yes that is a sensitive great cover.

[@dellafenton2417]

@@joelliebler5690 My brother is 12 years older than me, he was absolutely obsessed with Melanie!! Until I heard this track I didn't realise she had such a powerful voice

[@cdfdesantis699]

This was SUCH a powerful song for social change in the early '70's. If you haven't already, sir, you may want to check out her song, "Brand New Key". You won't believe it's the same woman. Thanks for this reaction, sir, which took me back to my "gotta change the world" days!

[@gl15col]

"Some came to sing, some came to pray, some came to keep the dark away". Many Viet Nam veterans at Woodstock, dealing with PTSD and with being spit on by the people they went there to serve. It was a difficult time for the country.

[@Joe-YamahaR6]

Another great artist has left this earth. When I heard the news of Melanie's death, it made me very sad. Melanie was and is an inspiration with her wonderful songs and brought light into my life. Even as a teenager. I have countless LP's and CD's of her albums. I am glad that you pay tribute to Melanie on your Reaction channel. R.I.P. Melanie

[@chrishinman6143]

WOW ! This live version always brought chills to me, after 50yrs it still does.This always reminds me of the 60's and woodstock...Awesome ! ..Thanks harri !! GREAT SELECTION !!

[@donaldleider7382]

This is the TRUE anthem of Woodstock!

[@johnmoonitz2968]

He needs to listen to the studio version . . . Melanie Safka was amazing live and in studio . . . but the Studio version just FLOORS you!! Listen to the long version . . . with the sort of pre-amble . . . it is perfection! She has a ridiculously powerful voice!

[@CharlesDunkley]

Grew up listening to Melanie. My father had her first few albums. She's one of my all-time favorite singer/songwriters. She was my first musical crush. 🙂

[@rondiacarman376]

Do you remember the song she sang about a baby farm or a baby day! There were a lot of songs on that album that made me cry as a child! Meant so much!

[@wesedwards8925]

I also adored her and her music during the anti war era. She was sweet and simple and vegetarian (song “I don’t eat animals”.) I handed her a bunch of roses after a small concert in Berkeley in 1971.

[@827dusty]

This is from 1970, one year after she performed at "Woodstock" Rock Festival. She is American, and I believe of Ukranian decent. She seems to speak with a hint of a British accent, but she is from America. What a powerful voice coming from this Beautiful young woman back in 1970. She is in her mid 70s today, and just did an episode of "Live at Daryl's House," (Darryl Hall from Hall and Oates) .

[@surlechapeau]

I've got to check out her at Daryl's House! Thank you.

[@giuliogrifi7739]

Yes.....her father, Frederick Safka, was of Ukrainian ethnic background, and I'm proud to say her mother, jazz singer Pauline Altomare, was of Italian heritage. She had/has a fantastic voice !!!

[@Rhiannon011]

She is American and has always had "the NY Bronx like accent"...

[@truthtriumphant]

She’s from Astoria, Queens, NY...

[@smedleybutler1969]

@@truthtriumphant I'm from Astoria Queens and nobody talks like that around here HaHa!

[@kevinwaters5872]

Melanie sang her heart and her soul. RIP , your music will carry your legacy forward.

[@trumpeterDave]

what I found interesting while watching this video was how many people in the audience appear to be in their sixties and seventies and were clapping along to the music as Lively as the younger people were. Melanie had a Counter Culture following back in those days and was considered part of the flower child movement which most people in their sixties and seventies were known to have turn their nose up at. So the fact that they were singing along and clapping and very engaged in her performance was a testament to how talented she is.

[@craigplatel813]

It's a German TV show, audiences were different in Europe from US

[@NathanVeenstra]

@@craigplatel813 actually not German, but Dutch. The presenter was the legendary Willem Duys.

[@debjorgo]

This is about the communal spirit shared by many at Woodstock. They were bonded together by a desire for peace and unity in the very divided world of the late sixties. A large part of the divide was the US's actions in Vietnam. A lot of the young men there had their draft notices or orders for Vietnam in their pockets. Everyone had a family member or knew someone close to them who were stationed in Vietnam.

[@daseguin]

Excellent truthful comment, as well as historically true.

[@threekidzmom04]

I am in tears right now! I loved all of Melanie's songs as a teen but especially this one. So very emotional!

[@brianwalsh3091]

Theres a chance, peace will come….RIP dear Melanie🤍

[@BobSmith-lb9nc]

That's Edwin Hawkins himself at the piano-organ.

[@jackponder7756]

HarriBest, there are many people who react to music on KZbin. You, sir, are the gold standard. You listen with your heart which, in my opinion, is the only way to harvest the emotions of music. You listen carefully to each note and every phrase, and it shows through your spot-on commentary. Very few subtleties get past you! Well done, sir. Please give us more! Thank you.

[@wesedwards1128]

Agree. I have just become a relatively new music reaction fan, especially the 60s, and HarriBest is in fact, the best in terms of background, a bit of historical relevance, and comments are heartfelt.

[@davidbentley145]

I remember this one brother...very very uplifting...Melanie's gritty voice supported by all these singers set the perfect tone and provided the power behind the words...best wishes brother

[@johngiovine8792]

Happiest of all eternal trails dear Melanie, thank you for your many graces....

[@davebeins2593]

Such a large voice from such a small person....super underrated talent....loved her since '69...

[@blondbowler8776]

When you realize your grandparents were far cooler than you could ever hope to be.

[@aimeemurray9461]

I think the lyrics "We were so close there was no room, we all bled inside each other's wounds, we all had caught the same disease and we all the songs of peace" was about the unity and the energy they felt at Woodstock. Woodstock took place in Aug of 69, just a week earlier the Manson murders happened, lots of racial riots and Vietnam was going on. " Some came to sing, some came to pray, some came to keep the dark away" Its definitely about spreading peace 🕊️. It gives me chills evey time i hear it. I love Melanie. RIP ...Thank you for the songs...may they go on for generations 😊

[@modernwriter]

This song perfectly captured the emotional themes of the sixties. The angst, the hope and the resolve to stand up and be heard. Powerful!

[@tgforty5]

Such a glorious song! These old gems sound even better today.

[@tombeyerlein3813]

The Vietnam War (and the civil rights movement) was a subtext to almost everything in those days. Note that Melanie described Woodstock as a peace festival, not a music festival.

[@debbiechang5781]

It’s very refreshing to hear this after so many years. This was a big hit for her and a great anthem for the times. 🌺✌️

[@carolmcln5028]

Do “Oh Happy Day” by the Edwin Hawkins singers themselves. That one is absolutely fabulous.

[@dougca7086]

You should react to her live from Woodstock she was unknown and she actually talked them into letting her perform at Woodstock and of course she was a big h i t also react to Ruby Tuesday

[@UseByDate-Expired]

they asked her to do a set when the other artist refused to perform during some of the infighting.. the stage was empty. She agreed to their asking, not the other way around

[@mikegaudrault2522]

Very very saddened by her death 😢 miss you Melanie 🙏 beautiful lady .

[@donrogers1337]

She was such an outstanding talentof the times. But just for fun You should try "Psycotherapy" by Her. It's a hoot.

[@patrickvecchio8138]

Beautiful Melanie

[@tconcotelli]

Black American gospel music is a heavenly gift 💕

[@susanaltman5134]

Look What They Done To My Song is another one to hit.

[@simchabaruch7023]

The 1000 candels she is singing of were brought and passed out by "THE HOG FARM" a commune from Oregon that included WAVY GRAVEY, who was the MC for the show, and made famous the words "WHAT WE HAVE IN MIND IS BREAKFAST IN BED FOR 400,000 ".

[@suzie4417]

Thanks Harri! So happy to hear Melanie’s voice again & see her beautiful face, she wrote amazing songs back in 70’s ☮️💜 especially peace messages & stopping the horrible Vietnam war ☮️

[@jamestaylor2920]

She has the most powerful singing voice of any performer and she uses it on each of her songs. In addition to those hits mentioned in previous comments, I would suggest her Nickel Song.

[@garyarnett1220]

If you lifted her vocals from the rest of the track, she would still sound so fantastic. One of a kind. And Harri? You like it? Go back and listen again just how incredible this is.

[@duchessstudioband7896]

Her passion is evident. Woodstock era.

[@xJRx77]

After watching several of your reactions, I just had to subscribe. You’re choice of songs is really varied and the reactions seem really genuine! This song was my deciding factor and your assessment was spot on!

[@SunShine-qk4rb]

Beautiful. I’ve always loved this song and a number of others from her

[@Googlegirl54]

She was my idol growing up. I played her music over and over . R.I.P. Melanie!!!

[@TangSongs]

Mine too!

[@greenemonster]

This song has me damn near hyperventilating and crying So intense in the best of ways If you feel numb this is how you feel something

[@mark-be9mq]

Its a song of the dream of Love & Peace. The "White Bird" an age old symbol of The Spirit, became a common Peace symbol of that Era. Wonderful. Love this. Great memories. Thanks Harry.

[@vacbrewernut]

Thank you for sharing. One of the songs that brings tears to my eyes. Peacefull protest and the white dove of peace.

[@rayc.3048]

RIP Melanie. A beautiful soul. This song could never have been as uplifting without the EHS. Melanie must have known that.. They brought power to the spirit of the song. I was in high school when the song was released and I remember marveling at Melanie’s sweet yet mighty voice.

[@msmuse7483]

This was not a Vietnam song. She wrote it after Woodstock in celebration of the hope and peace this concert engendered in several hundred thousand attendees. It was also a tribute to Meyer Baba (the Silent Master) who was the Avatar of the age. He had an enormous following in both the East and West (starting in the 1920's) and had dropped his body a few months prior to the Woodstock celebration. Melanie was profoundly moved by his love and spiritual message as were many during that period. His memory, and message of universal love was also celebrated at Woodstock. He did not promote any creed or raise one caste, or group over another. He said he came not to teach but to awaken. His message was consistent but he did not proselytize nor encourage his followers to do so which is why so many today are unaware of him and his importance not only to the fractured and disillusioned youth in the West through the turbulent 60's but ongoing today.

[@davidbentley145]

Viet nam war...right on brother

[@wesedwards8925]

I was 19. In college. Vietnam raging. Friends at Woodstock. Anti war became music but more for peace. Bravo for playing this. Along with Ohio your best. What has changed?

[@1957tennis]

She is so beautiful. And so is her voice.

[@jimbrentar]

Funny story: she claims various fans say they remember her singing this song at Woodstock. Except, at Woodstock she hadn't written the song yet.

[@johndrx165]

Epic song!

[@thomasflynn5366]

If you want to hear something sad listen to her song Tuning My Guitar. I don't think she was very at that time.

[@christinewaide5249]

One of the greatest songs ever recorded.

[@richhahn2443]

Melanie is also the cover queen. Her version of the Stone's Ruby Tuesday is brilliant.

[@daseguin]

Gotta do Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma, Harri

[@timtravasos2742]

The Edwin Hawkins singers were fabulous.

[@1957tennis]

Imagine being in the audience. And this song is being sung live! Wow!!

[@DannyD714]

i just watched this reaction a few weeks ago. RIP

[@mythicsin3083]

I love the old white Dutch folks going to church lol…

[@fishhookism]

For such a small performer the power in her voice is amazing.

[@tombeyerlein3813]

This is one of my favorite songs of 1970, which was a great year for pop ever anyway. I had a huge crush on the winsome Melanie then, but her physical beauty aside, she was a wonderful artist with a very unique voice. You should listen to the studio version of this song, which is even better than this live performance. (Melanie doesn't shy away from the high notes in the studio.) Also check out her Peace Will Come (According to Plan), Ring the Living Bell and the Stones cover Ruby Tuesday. After the success of Brand New Key, Melanie was unfairly cast as a novelty singer, but she wrote some very deep-message anthems.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Love her. Add my vote to all songs mentioned below. My favorites are beautiful people, unchained melody (acoustic) and the cover of the rolling stone's wild horses

[@nolalou2]

R.I.Pl Melanie, passed away today at age 76

[@johannesvalterdivizzini1523]

Melanie was my late wife's first cousin.

[@peterzimmer9140]

After this televised performance Melanie became the biggest selling artist in the Netherlands.

[@damonhines8187]

Right on reaction, mate!! I'm afraid I'm flayed bare, tender and sore again, but healed just as quickly. This has always encapsulated the spirit of the era for me as much as or more than any other song.

[@elysehfm8797]

Such a powerful song and performance. I think it's the contrast of the soft singing to her belting it out that makes it so captivating. Of course all of the Edwin Hawkins Singers make this a masterpiece, and how she can be heard among them is amazing.

[@urbangardener66]

First discovered Melanie Safka in 1972 when her album 'Stoneground Words' was played on the Midnight Special on Chicago radio WFMT and have been a huge fan ever since. That's an album you should delve into, not a bad song in the lot. Dig your channel Harri!!

[@laydown6]

Rip Melanie 24-1-2024😭😭😭😭

[@beckiegeorge2338]

RIP beautiful lady.

[@arrow5599]

melanie on the johnny cash show is amazing

[@gerrymarks7527]

I think most black people are born with the gift of music in them.they are so blessed with it.❤

[@dagmar.6954]

I remember Melanie's songs growing up in the 70's. She had hits such as "Brand New Key", "Ruby Tuesday", "What Have They Done To My Song Ma", "Ring The Living Bell", "The Nickel Song", "Bitter Bad", "Together Alone", "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" etc. "Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)" was inspired by her experience of performing at the 1969 Woodstock music festival.

[@craigplatel813]

I would add "beautiful people" as a great song

[@robertvanamburgh7673]

My God this song still gives me goosebumps. Amazing

[@karenj3611]

Great song

[@MisterWondrous]

Melanie died on the 23rd. More Melanie!

[@ShikataGaNai100]

RIP - Melanie Safka

[@tgriffin8179]

Great react - thank you!

[@turnerdan53]

So many great songs. If you have children try Christopher Robins. For more listen to Beautiful People, Leftover Wine, Living Bells, The Actress and her version of Lover's Cross is great. To bad her old record label went out of their way to destroy her after she left.

[@cspringer333]

She is a protest singer too.

[@larryc3860]

Melanie Safka wrote this right after the first Woodstock.......thanks for posting a video featuring a "folkie" from my youth.......this is from German TV....."let your white bird smile up...." (the Woodstock logo )........

[@827dusty]

They took us to church!

[@pauldover1403]

One of Melanie's greatest problems was that she was so effortlessly cute. Being cute isn't a problem, of course, and it was a good background to her enthusiasm and naivety but it did carry the problem with it that she wasn't taken as seriously as she should be. She was and is a great performer but there was a tendency for some people to pat her on the head and say, "You done all right for a girl." This was reinforced by the unfortunate fact that in the UK her biggest hit was "Brand New Key" and that was just too saccharine for me. I found out recently that in fact she wrote this as a blues song and I can imagine that I would have been far more positive if I had known. The other songs I knew of hers were better and recently I started listening to her music and I was enthralled by it. I'm not afraid to say that she is better than Joni Mitchell, so much better that I've started collecting all of her music I can find. I feel upset that I never saw her live, certainly now that I have listened to more of her, I would take the chance if I could. There is another of her songs that Harri will play this month, Beautiful People, which is very different but which you should love. One of the best things about Melanie is that she enjoys singing. Just to see her smile as she sings brightens my day.

[@DiaHuizinga]

Very well written Paul. Been a Melanie fan since 1969 and for me she still is the greatest, she puts so much heart and soul into her singing. And she has written amazing songs with great lines and insight. But not many people have seen this, because she was so cute.... I hope you will see her live someday.

[@kustomdeluxe8489]

Check out One Tin Soldier by Coven or The Original Caste. Best known as the theme from the 1971 movie Billy Jack.

[@bluet6898]

Was young when her songs came out and became a fan, really liked her songs, she was from the Woodstock generation, it was about love, peace, especially anti-wars (Vietnam war), underrated singer/performer. There was also Richie Havens, Janis Joplin, Santana, Ravi Shankar(Norah Jones father) Sly and the family stone, Creedence Clearwater revival. Lay down weapons, peace.

[@timothystockman7533]

Melanie passed away peacefully on 1/23/2024. She will be missed. RIP

[@TarBabyJim]

RIP Melanie. 1947-2024

[@martyemmons1859]

I tend to forget wonderful songs like this one. I'm very happy you played it because I sure don't want to forget it, Harri.

[@TallBlondeSassy]

Look at the audience! Not a single hippy in the building. Almost all white, middle class, middlee aged and very likely republican audience clapping along to a song by a woman who went to WOODSTOCK??? If i hadn't seen it i would have NEVER BELIEVED IT HAPPENED!

[@scottsinaz3000]

This was recorded in the Netherlands in 1970.

[@maureenmeek2838]

Yes, at that time, we were all wishing for peace. As young people, we were all hoping for Peace. RIP dear Melanie. I love the song Beautiful People. She was all about Love and the Power of Love to bring Peace on Earth.❤❤

[@debbiemickelson5448]

I was always brought up in the nothern US I deeply understand the song, unfortunately sometimes people in this country still need to be reminded of it, at my age it still hurts me to see such misunderstanding of other people's feelings and rights

[@Peggi109]

Love this song and love this version.