Melanie & The Edwin Hawkins Singers - Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) [REACTION]

[@MelaniesafkaTheRealMelanie]

@RogueRxyce I loved your reaction to the spirit of my song ~ it was such a privilege to have Edwin (at the piano) and the Singers join me in bringing it to the world. Thank you for listening and for hearing with your heart. Love, Melanie 💜 ☮️

[@tinypurplefishesrunlaughin8052]

Yeah I could feel her joy listening to our past. Makes me reminisce those days. I love you Melanie.

[@tedpetry2028]

Melanie, I was so in love with you and your brand new key. That you turned around and made this song shows that our generation had heart and soul, even back in the 70's and will stand before time, better than what they produce now days.....

[@NobodySpecial512]

Melanie I grew up in the 60's and 70's and you and your songs were loved then and are still loved now. Thank you so much what you have given to us.

[@kansloosnl]

Melanie, Edwin and the singers thank you🙏 for this beautiful music

[@halt2045]

I named my oldest daughter Melanie, because of this song.

[@halt2045]

I love that Melanie took the time to comment on this reaction video.

[@clarkmacgowan5114]

RIP Melanie. Heaven has a new angel in the choir. ❤

[@byoung8528]

Rest in peace Melanie, Your spirt and the the joy your art has given us will live on forever. Gone too soon!

[@CarolynStewart-v5q]

Melanie was in The Netherlands when she performed this song live in front of a stiff Dutch audience. My parents were Dutch so this was a treat for me to see this. I was in Holland in 1970 never knowing she was in the country doing this. This song was so powerful. I get emotional every time I hear it. Her choice of The Edwin Hawkins Singers as her back group was such a good fit. I believe Edwin Hawkins is at the piano.

[@wendyt7958]

this song still gives me goosebumps after all these years

[@Peter-oh3hc]

I listened to this two years ago. "Some came to sing. Some came to pray. Some came to keep the dark away" made me tear up. I wish we had found a way to keep more of the dark away

[@BAW12547]

Melanie (last name: Safka) performed in the rain at Woodstock on the first day of the festival (August 15, 1969). When the rain stopped, members of the crowd lit candles to let other people know that everything was "bright" (OK). Melanie was so moved by the sight that she wrote this song to commemorate it.

[@danielrdrown1]

Beautiful . R.I.P Melanie who passed away yesterday( Jan 24, 2024). She should have been inducted into the Rock & Roll H.O.F decades ago. Her songs will live forever. Perhaps that's the only thing that really matters. I love how she got a rather stuffy audience to let loose and join in the peace celebration.

[@jons.105]

Rest in peace, beautiful spirit!! She will be missed.

[@patriciaquinn6377]

Oh yes shewill. She certainly was a beautiful spirit RIP dear Melanie

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

Tears every time I hear it.

[@blueridger28]

That choir could save the world.

[@maurolascorza5010]

❤💖❤

[@richhahn2443]

She covered the Rolling Stones' Ruby Tuesday and owned it.

[@fritty9927]

Melanie I hope wherever you are now that you are happy and at peace. Amazing how a simple song could change people’s outlook on life and relationships. And a butterfly just flapped his wings.

[@wesedwards1128]

Rest in peace beautiful Melanie. I last saw you in concert in Berkeley in l971 when I handed you a rose. I am raising a candle tonight for you.

[@jeffstumpf9129]

It took a powerful voice to solo with such a powerful gospel group. Melanie, is still performing today.

[@DavidBrianPaley]

I love that voice. It's SO distinctive.

[@stuartbeaton-gm9xn]

Great reaction! A little White gal with an acoustic guitar going to to toe with one of the best Black choirs of all time. And they knocked it out of the park. Look at the cuts to Edwin...he knew they nailed it totally. I was US Army 65-68... this is an anthem! .." We we so close there was no room...we bled inside each other's wounds." Holy crap what a line! Your reaction was wonderful. It was the music of my time. Melanie is perhaps the most underrated singer of her era. It is wonderful to see your appreciation! Suggestion...Bocceli and Brightman ..."Time to say Good by" Totally different genre.

[@Craig-x8r]

rest in peace dear Melanie,,,,i remember this beautiful song like when i was 11 ..12 yrs old

[@kevinwaters5872]

When Melanie sang she had the power of a hurricane. It came out in her voice , but it started in her heart and her soul. Thanks , and may you RIP.

[@johnmcfall9250]

OMG!!! My wife and I got married June 1969. She is gone now but this was one of our favorite songs. It brings me to tears every time I hear it.

[@trlblzn1]

💚

[@Iamthatiam2727]

Rip angel Melanie

[@joepowell7025]

Very powerful song with a lady with a powerful voice. We need her here right now to write some more songs like this ...

[@supasoulproductions]

'We were so close, there was no room. We bled inside each others wounds. We all had caught the same disease, and we all sang the songs of peace'. There is nothing like a gospel choir to really make you feel the music!! Loved this record since I was very young. She had a way with a pop song too. Check out her track Brand New Key!

[@lindamacduff2566]

Gotta' brand new pair of roller skates!

[@EvansBrosRacing]

"Brand New Key" is such a great song , I was pretty young when I heard that on the radio . I don't know if you have to donate to get a song reacted to ? I hope not , but I get people are trying to make a buck .

[@walterpanovs]

She's also known for "What Have They Done to My Song Ma," "Brand New Key," and a nice cover of the Stones' "Ruby Tuesday." The Edwin Hawkins Singers had a huge worldwide pop hit with the uplifting gospel song "Oh Happy Day" in 1968-'69.

[@Mark-iv7np]

Awww, you know yr music as I do. I'm listening to music for over 60 years. All the songs you mentioned are great. This was magnificent!

[@craigplatel813]

Birthday of the Sun, Beautiful People, and the Nickle Song

[@BennyTheBall8899]

The lady listening to the song has a beautiful,soothing voice and aura.❤

[@jeraldkimball494]

She is saying we basically have to help keep each other's candles burning for peace. I remember when this came out I was a teen but it blew me away!

[@andreaschmall5560]

In 1972 saw Melanie perform this in Central Park at dusk while we all held lit candles.

[@cuncuna17]

Some came to sing Some came to pray Some came to keep The dark away...❤

[@davidzimmerli489]

God bless you younger people who are bringing back and giving new life to this great music! You are doing a great service to the world! These extraordinary songs and performances should never be put on a shelf and forgotten. A big THANK YOU to you!

[@trlblzn1]

💚

[@robjohnson5872]

There are billions of smiles in this world. Yours is surely top ten.

[@deirdre108]

This song has one of the great pre-choruses in popular music. Melanie hit it out of the park there.

[@angelcharlie2012]

I haven't heard this song since I was a kid. I also love her brand new key song. Those were the days. 😁

[@SpartanGuy83]

One of my all time favorite songs. Melanie just might stop by here to show her appreciation.

[@bigpeeler]

And she did! ♥️

[@RogerDidierM.]

Yeah that's Melanie Safka. She wrote the unforgettable "What Have They've Done To My Song, Ma ?" and made some of the best covers of Bob Dylan in the 70's. A great lady.

[@JerisEve]

Melanie has an unusual voice that some people didn't care for. I've always thought it was spectacular. All of these decades later, she's still fantastic. She's so cute and inspirational. Her talent was huge. I have many albums by her, maybe all of them, and every one is a masterpiece. You can tell that she considered singing with the Edwin Hawkins Singers an honor; that was Edwin on keys.

[@Laceykat66]

Many great artists have had voices "some people didn't care for." It is almost an irrelevant statement as their music had stood the test of time.

[@jackstraw3934]

She was a pure contralto

[@195511SM]

I love the couple of shots at the end.....where the audience full of oldsters look like they don't know what to make of this young hippie chick....& her 'rock & roll'. A Lawrence Welk kind of crowd. LOL

[@bobdaniels3961]

What blew me away was the way Melanie just belted that song out with such power that she led the whole choir.

[@decaudata]

"Little sisters of the sun lit Candles in the rain Fed the world on oats and raisins Candles in the rain Lit the fire to the soul Who never knew his friends Meher Baba lives again Candles in the rain To be there is to remember Lay it down again Lay down Lay down Lay it down again Men can live as brothers Candles in the rain.." -- Melanie Safka I didn't see this in the comments and it used to be the spoken prelude to "Candles in the Rain'

[@rkardos4220]

Beautiful loving song. RIP Melanie

[@stretchgilbert]

This is just an amazing song.

[@MikeM275]

You can't help but clap along...you can't help but to sing along, even if you don't really know which words come next....you can't help but to move a little....you can't help but to smile...

[@craigmccullough7333]

The Great and Immortal Melanie! Another one whose voice has just gotten even better over the years.

[@sbearly]

I can't believe the older audience at that performance. I doubt there was ever an audience of that age in the US to see Melanie. I give them credit for clapping along in an experience they probably did not expect.

[@atomkraftteddy]

It was the standard audience for the TV programme of Willem , the presenter in the clip.

[@lutdesimpelaere2947]

LOVE Melanie! She has so many great , meaningful songs. This is definitely one of my favorites. “Beautiful people “ is another great one.

[@jollyrodgers7272]

So Cool! Haven't heard that strong, tremolo voice of hers for half a lifetime! Remember the song, but didn't know it was about Woodstock - Thanks!

[@jameswhitman8710]

Grew up with this vibe. It was about coming together and be at peace.

[@simonjohn151]

This is so uplifting and beautiful. Such a wonderful era of music.

[@deborahbryan3639]

Flower Power! I didn't know this song before, but I immediately recognized Melanie's voice! "Look what they've done to my song, Ma" and "Brand new keys" are 2 other great songs by her. I enjoyed this video and your reaction very much. It brought back memories of my childhood and our fashion back then as well...

[@craigmccullough7333]

Melanie vermantly denies she was ever a hippy.

[@smoothjazzrob8061]

I was 14 when this song came out in 1970. I ran out and purchased the record (45 RPM) for less than $1.00 at the time. They just make songs like this any more.

[@paulcalcagno8752]

I had the pleasure of seeing her in 1972. Awesome artist!

[@pistolp01]

Melanie was a phenom. A voice that could alter perspective. That was over a half of a century ago, and the message still screams, to be heard. The Edwin Hawkins Singer's were on their own cloud's... looking down on us mere mortals, still struggling with the same issues, but, incredibly we've added a few thousand more old, re-worked, reconstituted examples for why human beings should be sent to the back of the line. Other than that, you were/are absolutely lovely and I felt your heartbeat and it was sincere.

[@chuckb25]

Bought this 45 when it came out. I always listened to it when I needed an emotional boost......It's inspiring..

[@Dave-yq8rb]

Well as a young 19 year old at the time we all had the hots for Melanie, a very pretty and bonnie lass and certainly nailed it with that performance. RIP lovely lady ❤

[@lbd-po7cl]

Love Melanie! I had the privilege of seeing her when I was a teenager when she toured Australia in the 70s and again recently in a festival out here a couple of years ago. Such a beautiful soul and wonderful voice.

[@jackbutler2989]

Masterpiece of a song big time enhanced by the wonderful Edwin Hawkins singers who's playing the piano Check out the original choir singing "To My Fathers House" Fire with a big F..

[@shwicaz]

YES! Melanie is amazing. And the Edwin Hawkins Singers just make it even more special.

[@orybar1705]

Thank you Rogue for making my heart beat strong after so many years listening to this wonderful singer. Heartfelt greetings from Chile.

[@thomasmain5986]

As a child Melanie was a spiritual experience for me, my mother Catholic my father a atheist who loved music. Its a song for peace so both my parents could get behind this song.

[@suzanneprock7286]

This song played everytime we went to the lake with our friends, that's how I'll always remember it, I was in grade school and there were 4 families very close and all had kids our age or close in age.

[@jgriffin282]

Man, I haven’t heard this song for many many years. I always loved it.

[@stevevalkos6308]

this one of my favorite "reaction" videos.....simply joyous

[@CharCanuck14]

Thank you so much RR for bringing me back to 1970 and having my then 17 year old hippie self relive those amazing times!

[@stewartmcdowall2285]

On vinyl...Melanie is a blessing. Love and live in peace x

[@LeslieSims-gt3nx]

One of the greatest songs ever produced....I LOVE her voice !I've ALWAYS loved Melanies stuff ! This song and "Brand New Key" are my favorites...

[@LeslieSims-gt3nx]

Melanie sang her ASS off here !! Love her !!!

[@wilcox660]

I last saw Melanie a few years ago. She has lost none of her fire, Her concerts are unforgettable!

[@rafaelorantes7185]

yeahhh another diamond from that era, both!

[@annmills3163]

She still performs at hippy festivals occasionally ☮️💜

[@cardtrix1970]

Rogue - You are SO BEAUTIFUL! I am 65, so, ummm...I DO remember this song and-even though I was only 15-I remember the..."era"! This song...playin' on" Stan's" jukebox(the juke-box located in the neighborhood Club in Wisconsin Stan so greatly put his time into for us kids to have). On that juke-box, would also be songs like "War/Edwin Star"; "I"d Like To Teach The World To Sing/Edwin Hawkin's Singers"...etc...What an era! Good/bad; beautiful;ugly. "Stan"....passed away on September 9th, 2020. God Bless You, Forever!

[@steveallenallen3725]

THE EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS PRACTICED AT A CHURCH A BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE in the 60's and performed at my elementary school curry school in vallejo ca.

[@ccjohncc1]

Im so pleased to see younger generations enjoy all the heartfelt music i grew up to. Try to check out popular songs composed by Burt Bacharach! Another favorite of mine are songs by Joe Cocker, Leon Russell,

[@americanaforever6725]

Melanie really captured the Woodstock mood with this song

[@tubebobwil]

For me, this is in the top 10 performances in popular music history.

[@jillcrato1680]

This was the first song I ever loved as a young child! My babysitter used to tell me not to put my transistor radio up to my ear,cuz I’d go deaf. I wasn’t afraid! I did it anyway! I never could walk,but every time I heard Melanie and the Edwin Hawkins choir sing ‘Lay Down (Candles in the Rain’)I felt like I could fly! I’m so sorry you’ve left this earthly realm,Melanie! Thank you for the beautiful musical memories you gave me Melanie ,Edwin and choir members! Blessed be!

[@somthingbrutal]

saw her live about 15 years ago still a great singer. Miley cyrus recorded a cover of her song, look what they done to my song ma with melanie in 2015

[@o.w.h.astronaut8204]

O M Gosh I didn't think any current young people remembered this gem of a song I heard this in 1970 , went to one of her concerts and got her to fall in love with me. We had 6 kids by 1990. she loved me til I died. Now I sleep in peace, (thanks, Mel) Okay , boy time to wake up...😍😍😍

[@davidmcintyre6444]

You’re comments are so true and real. Thank you so much. I’m 66 now I heard this when I was 14 and couldn’t stopped playing.. thank ❤️

[@kesleycottrell1416]

Love Melanie! This is a awesome song. My favorite is The Nickel Song and Ruby Tuesday. She is just a unique artist.

[@arthurdonachy]

wonderful to see the delight on your face that I feel in my heart when I see her put her soul into this, and the superb hawkins singers nailing it

[@Ufamism]

Tom, you're a legend for requesting this one!

[@BigAl53750]

I was in love with Melanie from the very first time I heard her incredible VOICE! I was only about 11 or so when Woodstock happened and I must admit that at that age I didn’t really like ALL the performers, but Melanie’s voice just grabbed me and I eagerly followed her for the rest of my life. At 67 years young, I’ll always hold a candle for her.

[@robert-ef8qv]

I love your reactions, so beautiful, poignant, happy , honest . Your face, smile and your eyes . ❤️👍🙏I love this song , Melanie is a legend , still performing, the whole choir was incredible. We need this song more than ever today .😢❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍✊✊✊

[@McDevittMike]

Wow! Talk about bringing back memories. 😎🥰

[@april6058]

When I was a kid we would listen to the radio all the time and a radio station played all the.different genres of rock music. There’d be Rock, Soul, Pop, Folk , Gospel Rock, Country Rock, Blues Rock all on the same radio station. The Edwin Hawkins singers had a giant hit, “ Oh Happy Day” then the next song would be another hit, The House of the Rising Sun”. Music brings people together!

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

i had such a crush on Melanie in that time. She had such a strong voice, right up there with Grace Slick, Janice Joplin and very few others. Such a talent for that time. For those who remember, "You've got the roller skates, I've got the key".

Jeff you cheecky boy, you offering the key then to Melanie?

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

@ I'm old enough to remember when you needed a key for your skates.

[@billh.1940]

@ we all we're, you have to love her! Yes, I have a key.

[@neildarealdeal7129]

Yes baby, welcome home, closer to me too lol... realdeal

[@williamburch6792]

Been listening to melanie since 69. The nickle song and left over wine are my favorites.

[@stephensmith3111]

A wonderful little slice of the hippie ethos. Brings back memories of another world; not that much different from today in many ways when you think about it. "History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes." -- attributed to Mark Twain

[@stephensmith3111]

"voor de vuist weg" means "off the hook" in Dutch according to Google Translate.

[@kevinr6318]

I've watched many music reaction videos. I've now watch about 4 of yours. All songs I know well. But your emotings are creating similiar reactions in me. Thank you for causing me to enjoy them anew.

[@jamesmichael5475]

Good lord, you have a most beautiful smile and teeth. I Love this song, brings joy to my heart.

[@tracymeredith9450]

Thank You for breaking down the barriers with your music!!! I am 58 and have loved your music my entire life. I truly love you for that, and your beautiful spirit!!!

[@mrb4749]

Melanie Safka is one of the greatest singers ever. She wrote this at Woodstock, so talented. Edward Hawkins singers did a magnificent job. She has many very good songs. 1970 was a great yr for music. So fortunate to have grown up in that period especially the late 60s.

[@susanbilodeau]

Melanie should be in Folk Music HOF

[@Yowza78]

Who else thinks a young Stevie Nicks heard Melanie sing?

[@JeffFitch-c2e]

Would love To here Stevie do a remake... It would be awesome to here.

[@StevesFunhouse]

Naturally, a great reaction. I always loved this song. But ... My God, woman, you get cuter every single time I see you !!! Can't wait for your cable TV show to pop up. I'm telling you, you need to work on that. Such an awesome person ... it would be a crime to keep that hidden from everybody !!!

[@donnabruhn6907]

You are helping to bring it back, much love to you. We need tolerance and kindness

[@johnbarrick80]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. Thank you!!!

[@ellaw356]

I found Melanie from listening to Edwin Hawkins, who i love, and fell in love with this song. Found it and listened to it until I stopped crying and was raising my hands up! God bless all you in Jesus name. Love to all!

[@rudoarah]

Loving the new room😻😻😻

So much fun to see Melanie perform in The Netherlands at Willem Duys. Melanie has always been one of the most soulful artists to me. Loved how all the people just joined in.

[@maureenwagg5305]

I still get chills and tear up when this song plays. Melanie just really puts her soul into a song.

[@StephenMarkTurner]

I used to roller skate to this when it came out, I was about 13-14. An all time favourite song of mine.