Melanie Safka is the original Madonna.
Before it was cool to drop your last name and become an international enigma, Melanie was writing up a storm and essentially becoming one of the most influential folk artists of the 1960s and 1970s.
This week I wanted to take you into the world that is the music of this wonderful woman. Luckily for me this can all be done through one record release in 1972 by Buddah Records. “Melanie” is a ‘best of’ record from the artist of the same name. Four sides and two records track the illustrious singing career of Melanie, who was not only a pioneer for her intricate writing, but also pulled off flawless covers from the biggest names in music – most prominently, Bob Dylan.
Side one takes us through the “formative years” when Melanie was beginning to make a name for herself. The songs are sensitive and vulnerable, representing personal insight in her complex lyricism. The opening track “Somebody Loves Me” welcomes us into a very intimate corner of Melanie’s world – place where she has to beg for love and finds very little. The tone in “Any Guy” makes a shift for the confident. Strong independent statements surround this song leaving us with the impression she can stand alone as an individual.
Side two reveals a more commercial side. Once she was able to build on the success of her first LP she reached a wider audience and recorded hits more popular than her previous personal ballads. “Look What They Done to my Song Ma,” perhaps one of the only reasons I know very little French, rests on upbeat piano show tunes with a bilingual chorus sung in both French and English. Power ballads also own this side with “Lay Down” and “Peace Will Come” rounding out the middle. Melanie finishes on a lighter note with “Babe Rainbow.”
Side three is a collection of Melanie’s favorites of her own music, providing an even deeper insight into her influences and emotions. With three Dylan songs it comes as no surprise she was once romantically involved with the man. “Mr. Tambourine Man” eases our ears into this side only to be followed by a hard rock cover of The Rolling Stones hit, “Ruby Tuesday.” She again, however, finishes on a softer tone with another Dylan cover “Lay Lady Lay,” perhaps a sign of the impending end of the lovers’ relationship.
The last side has sometimes been noted as “Melanie in Wonderland.” Listening to this side you can hear a serious concern for a love of life, although these is also a layer of whimsical imagination laced over the top. My favorite Melanie song ever also just happens to be the last one on this side. While “Leftover Wine” sounds like a dying cat to almost all of my friends, it is one of the most emotionally raw songs to come out of the 1970s.
Vocally and lyrically Melanie is a genius. Due to her rather long and still successful career it’s hard to garner an honest opinion of her without purchasing an entire record store – but, “Melanie” may just be the answer to all that. With each side revealing a different facet of the mastermind, this is a record you need to own to truly know who the hell Melanie Safka really is.
Read Record Rewind every Wednesday only on J.A.M.
