although famed music critic Albert Goldman once compared her to a Qewpee doll she was an interesting singer with the collaspe of acid rock due to the fact that its leading exemplars were all dead she and similar folkies? croce and steve goodman, bonnie koloc, took over the music scene until the advent of disco which like so many vile, evil, horrible and useless things came from england
This video is utterly fantastic all the way through, but it builds and builds to a moment of just pure joy between about 4:13 and 4:40 . . . the joy of an artist in command of her music just jammin' with her friends.
That audience is freaking me out! It looks like the vast majority of them are in their 60’s. And when they clap, they clap on every beat instead of on the 2 and 4! (the way the choir is clapping) I think the term they would have used was “Square”, but it comes off much worse than that today!
I always loved to listen to Melanie; she had other good songs. However, the is her best in my opinion. I agree with others that the Edwin Hawkins Singers made a MAJOR contribution to this song, but without Melanie the song would not exist. Nobody could sing it better than Melanie!
The gospel choir makes this song. Don't get me wrong. I love the power of Melanie's voice in this too. But, without the Hawkins Singers, it would just be yelling.
@Guitarhack5 I disagree with you completely. In no way would I ever describe her singins as yelling. She has a beautiful voice and just because she's singing the song with alot of power behind her voice that doesn't mean she's yelling. Oh yeah, and the Edwin Hawkin singers were amazing too.
I remember hearing this song every moring back in `70 when my friend would drive me to high school in his VW. Great song, she has a hell of a voice.Shame music isn`t this good today.
how do you even compare the high priestess to human trash like lady gaga shit.your correct ,,however she would have been a waitress or less.Not that gaga shit is anything today, other then a horrific clown.No one touches the powerful melanie safka cheers to all
To the person who posted....thank you so much....I forgot what beauty in voice and when faith in song writing are combined echoes a heavenly tune that all can appreciate. Melanie now and then - than you.
hehe my dad made me love this music... he been at tis concert and every other one she did in the Netherlands... he 75 now and when she's in holland again mma take him
Lol, is there a Holiday Inn in North Dakota? I think Motel 6 has a monopoly, but I agree most whole heartedly with the rest.. How can they call lyrics like "I told ma bitch to get on down' music or moving?
Melainie, as always, kicked ass here. The Edwin Hawkins Singers (love those wigs), kicked ass here, as well. But, the geriatric audience in their oh so fashionable and trendy eyeglasses and hairstyles, and clapping off time, stole the show and kicked some very serious ass (they made me smile). This is one of Melanies finest songs, and it was a real treat to hear a live rendition of one of my faves.
@FolkMusicFanatic Just a bit of a joke (re: the wigs - not the singers, they're amazing). The male members of the EH Singers are wearing "afro's or "naturals." Most of the female members are wearing wigs - not sure why. By this time, Afro's were in - Hendrix, Roberta Flack, Billy Preston, all had afro's. Angela Davis had an "afro" of such epic proportion, her hair made a statement almost as serious as the one Ms. Davis was making. Afro's were cool. Too bad they're not as "in" as they once were.
Thank you so much for posting this video! I've never seen a video of Melanie singing this song live from 1970, especially with the backing of the Edwin Hawkins Singers (who are backing her here.) This is wonderful! I remember that the first year that I started riding a bicycle back in 1969 - 70, in central Florida, when I was 6 years old, whenever we had to ride our bikes in the rain many of us young folks would sing this song and have a lot of fun doing so.
please stop being so judgemental....you are so flat and sharp when you sing I just don't think anyone has the heart to tell you. But you can't keep your confusted opinion to yourself. So I have to be honest with you.....you aren't as talented as you think. Sorry
Oh stop hating...what have you done lately? Maybe you should go with Gaga and but a slab of steak across your mouth.....that would be the best for you steve.
The backup singers are outstanding! I've watched this video a few times and wondered were are the younger people you'd expect at this show. Well, at 3:59 - 4:01 I spotted a good looking blonde in the first row.
That's too funny, all the straights doing their hand claps for Melanie.
Reminds me of the audience for The Hollies doing that crazy tune they did about an exotic dancer, with a banjo, the straight Brit audience was clapping along to it. Stop, Stop, Stop All The Dancing Was The Tune.
I'm the old hippie ("ie" rather than "y", please, the "y" is so 50s) who nonethless bathed and went to work every day. And yes, I feel qualified to talk about "straights". Where were you in 1969?
thank you for posting this... what a capsule of time. Huge fan of Melanie since the 70's. I would not have seen this if not for youtube and its members,
A time when music came directly from them deepest of the soul, a time when artists were real human beings and not products of image makers and multinational boards of directors. I'm very concerned about today's music situtation. Phil Collins, disgusted from the today music industry announced his retirement saying that he don't want to have the slightest relation with present music reality.
her music sounds like exactly what she is a drugged up little girl with no sense of the world. sorry to be offensive to those who enjoy her, i needed to let off some steam:)
why is every song defiled by the name of gaga? she is not a great one. her lyrics have no profound meaning. in poker face it sounds like she says f@ck her face. i had listen to some of it because every talks about. and she thinks shes producing great dance music? she obviously never herd any good dance/electronic/techno in her life.
I listened to this video out of fondness and for nastalgic reasons. This was my generation and then-like now- it was a mixed bag of peoples all striving for what they each believed in. It sickened me to read some of the comments here. But only proves that we have not changed as human beings or as a people. We are still a mixed bag of good,bad,ugly,beautiful,happy,sad,honest,decietful,selfISH or selfLess,Ungodly or Godly peoples. That hasn't changed.
@frefre4646 : If you're referring to Melanie. She is FAR from a Communist. She actually loves freedom (including capitalism). She describes herself as a Libertarian.
The spring of 1970 was an apocalyptic time: all the Woodstock music was coming out, other songs like Ball of Confusion were always in the air, and it was the high-water mark of the 60's in many ways: Kent State, Weathermen, Black Panthers, the Invasion of Cambodia. We were 13 years old, and we thought the world was ending.
I finaly get to the see the back up singers!! This must have been an unbelievable experience to see this concert. Wish I was there. Born Late 7 Sep 68...
Black and white film and an audience of middle-aged straights. Was this really 1970 ? I suppose it must be since the song was written after Woodstock.
There shouldn't be any comparison on Earth between Melanie Safka & Lady GaGa! There are absolutely NO similarities between them. They both are great, but it's almost impossible to compare them . . .
The incredible power of this performance is delivered by their voices and passion alone. Far surpasses anything we see nowadays delivered with lasers, jumbo screens, over-amplified noise, or other "special effects."
The live mix is flawless...which is pretty unusual for TV of that era. And Edwin Hawkins' fingers are just dancing on that keyboard, man! That really puts the icing on the cake.
@stingray OMG the industry today doesn't seem allow true singing and songwriting. I've seen old clips of Lady Gaga singing and playing the piano before she became famous and she's really talented. But unfortunately real talent doesn't sell CDs and mp3s.
Wow!!!! Melanie is being backed up by the brilliant voices of the Edwin Hawkins Singers. For those of you that don't know, this is the same choir that recorded the gospel classic "Oh Happy Day" just 2 years before this performance. RIP Bishop Walter Hawkins who is singing in the tenor section of this clip with the biggest afro!
@stingray1964 leave young Stephanie alone! Melanie was ok, and this song one of the best, but Gaga is brilliant - writes, plays, dances & sings exceptionally well - the best 'thing' to happen to music for decades, perhaps even since Melanie. Check out her recent performance with Elton John - now that's Performance !!! I'm over 50, and love both Melanie and Stephanie.
@inlonggully Sorry, no offense...That's a a pretty tough pill to swallow seeing that Elton John hasn't really been able to sing either since he had those nodes removed in the late 80's, so I'll take your word for it. I just feel that lady Gaga is another example of how lame the recording industry has gotten and the way Pop music and the Producers who write all these songs have destroyed the industry. Just my two cents....
@shiittalker : I give Melanie two thumbs way up! I got to meet her at Infinity Hall (Peter's last show sadly) and she sings way better than anyone in today's "music." I may be young but I can't stand today's music. There is just no talent in music anymore its all for money. Melanie is wonderful and cares so much for her music and her fans. Melanie is a legend pure and simple.
@inlonggully I really dig Gaga. It's nice to see a pop star that is an actual musician. That used to be no big deal but now our standards have been so lowered by the "dumbing down" of popular music, that a competant musician songwriter comes off as "brilliant". A term once reserved only for the most gifted IE John Lennon, Elton John, Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder etc.
Stephanie has a long way to go before earning a place with that company.
@pigurine Did you ever nail that. Melanie was a wonderful talent. Her songs still echo decades later.....Lady Gaga/s music in time will be in some dust bin, long long forgotten.
@pigurine Did you ever nail that. Melanie was a wonderful talent. Her songs still echo decades later.....Lady Gaga/s music in time will be in some dust bin, long long forgotten.
Has there ever been a song more fitting than Lay Down for every Political Move our World has ever made? And I've loved this song from the second I heard it. And still do today, and I am almost 54 :). If everyone notices in the Audience there are fans from all ages, younger to older. Groovy at it's best.
@sugaree9 The Dutch have always been big on freedom - real freedom - not the bogus freedom we have in the US which is nothing more than a license for the rich and powerful to steal as much as they can.
@sugaree9 In answer to your question, NO other song is more fitting for every Political move ever made than Lay Down. This song is especially fitting for the wars our brave soldiers fought and many died in. This song should be dedicated to all those whose loved ones (especially soldiers) died serving their countries especially during the wars in Vietnam, The Persian Gulf, all World Wars, Iraq, Afganistan, and the conflicts in The Middle East and Northern Africa.
Sing it Melanie!! I remember when I was younger and saw Melanie sing, I'd never seen a white person, up to then, sing with such rhythm and blues. You go girl!!
Melanie let me tell you see this message when interpretastes that song it seems that these possessed by God, that most beautiful spirit which lived in the decade of the 60. God bless you.
It is incredible that interpretation melanie, collects the hippie spirit of the times, I believe unequivocally that it is without doubt one of the best interpetraciones of that song. "Magic"
@tobama08 ΠΑΝΤΩΣ Η ΕΚΔΟΧΗ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΝΕΙ Η ΒΙΚΥ ΛΕΑΝΔΡΟΣ,ΣΤΟ ΣΥΓΚΕΚΡΙΜΕΝΟ ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΟΛΥ ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΑΠΟ ΑΥΤΗ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΝΕΙ Η ΜΕΛΑΝΥ ΣΑΦΚΑ.ΠΑΝΤΩΣ Η ΕΚΔΟΧΗ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΝΕΙ Η ΒΙΚΥ ΛΕΑΝΔΡΟΣ,ΣΤΟ ΣΥΓΚΕΚΡΙΜΕΝΟ ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΟΛΥ ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΑΠΟ ΑΥΤΗ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΝΕΙ Η ΜΕΛΑΝΥ ΣΑΦΚΑ.
She is perhaps one of the most grooviest chicks to have ever come out of Astoria.I can remember her earlier years singing in clubs down in the Villiage.Dites,I can certainly agree with you.Listening to Melanie,even after all these years always makes my day.Thanks violator for this timeless classic.
I am 56 years old and I only remember listening to a few of her songs all those years ago. I had no idea if she was black, white or yellow as I had never seen her on TV or video. Watching this I can see that she had a beauty, which she probably still has, to compliment her voice. Thank you violator for making my day, week and month!
@frannyward: The audience is not scared. They are in awe of Melanie's musical talent and her awesomely powerful voice! Melanie is a great singer and she can pull off a great concert, even if the audience happens to be one of the most boring emotionally sterile people in Europe: The Dutch.
It's difficult for me to type. I have loved this song for years. Feeling very hopeless about things. What an incredible gift this is. Thank you so so much to the person who posted this video. To see Melanie's shining beautiful face, her gorgeous, moving voice and singing, a live performance from the time of the song, and with the wonderful edwin hawkins singers, their beautiful and stirring voices sailing out, everyone joyful, with Melanie soaring and sailing above. Heartrending. THANK YOU.
it seemed in the year 1970 gospel music was having a impact on the rock music of the day, as an example this song, Let It Be, Bridge Over Trouble Waters, Oh Happy Day in fact that's Edwin Hawkins on piano.
Hey, very good observation. Come to think of it, you're right.
Also, Leon Russell, if I recall, had a gospel tinge to his music- he was popular at that time, though his records never sold as well as the songs you mention. Thanks for the information about Hawkins. So I imagine he was the choral director and pianist.
This is a classic song from my generation. They dont write or put their soul into music like this no more. I was 12 when Woodstock happend and was there. Imortal
Zie de Melanie Safka Hyves...er zijn nog een aantal liefhebbers. Al zal de gemiddelde leeftijd wel iets hoger liggen. Maar we kennen Melanie nog steeds en zullen haar niet snel vergeten!
@DaDawg4real, that's also the part of you that finds it necessary to a) blame others for your own thoughts, and b) continuing to spread a thought you believe is wrong. Anything can be a poison or an elixir of life in this world, and how you choose to let society affect you is your decision. It's not up to others to save your spirit (and this from an atheist). Want to "return to a natural and loving way of life"? Start by not posting garbage and blaming others for making you do so.
although famed music critic Albert Goldman once compared her to a Qewpee doll she was an interesting singer with the collaspe of acid rock due to the fact that its leading exemplars were all dead she and similar folkies? croce and steve goodman, bonnie koloc, took over the music scene until the advent of disco which like so many vile, evil, horrible and useless things came from england
atfatw 9 hours ago
Never would have expected it but this gave me chills. Fantastic.
howard385 15 hours ago
This video is utterly fantastic all the way through, but it builds and builds to a moment of just pure joy between about 4:13 and 4:40 . . . the joy of an artist in command of her music just jammin' with her friends.
dpm3759 3 weeks ago 2
Like stevie nicks of the sixties, brilliant!!!!!!!
wezza60 1 month ago
41 years later, I (18 y.o.) hear this song for the first time. I am absolutely astonished by hear voice, too bad I was born too late!
MrJoostie 1 month ago
That audience is freaking me out! It looks like the vast majority of them are in their 60’s. And when they clap, they clap on every beat instead of on the 2 and 4! (the way the choir is clapping) I think the term they would have used was “Square”, but it comes off much worse than that today!
Russomon 1 month ago
The Edwin Hawkin singers are really kicking it! Great performance!
aimeemannfan2010 2 months ago
Hey is that J.J on the right at 1:56?
gitchigoomi 2 months ago
man we rock this at church see a perfect example that music has no color im a 34 y/o black like my dad says if you like it listen to it
pattifanalwayz 3 months ago
I always loved to listen to Melanie; she had other good songs. However, the is her best in my opinion. I agree with others that the Edwin Hawkins Singers made a MAJOR contribution to this song, but without Melanie the song would not exist. Nobody could sing it better than Melanie!
BUZZ4134 3 months ago
The gospel choir makes this song. Don't get me wrong. I love the power of Melanie's voice in this too. But, without the Hawkins Singers, it would just be yelling.
Guitarhack5 3 months ago in playlist Guitarhack5's favorites
@Guitarhack5 Have to agree that the choir is brilliant. I have a cd with a very long version of this which is brilliant. Shame it was always cut
dylandollyspud 3 months ago
@Guitarhack5 I disagree with you completely. In no way would I ever describe her singins as yelling. She has a beautiful voice and just because she's singing the song with alot of power behind her voice that doesn't mean she's yelling. Oh yeah, and the Edwin Hawkin singers were amazing too.
lasktguy 3 months ago
Awesome!!
aimeemannfan2010 4 months ago
Those two who dislike this record(video) need to have their heads examined
MrOjoojoo 4 months ago
yep " getting old does blow", Lol.. I love this song I was so tickled when I found it here!!
blondago56 4 months ago
Great song by a beautiful girl, I miss those days. Getting old blows.
Beatlejoose56 4 months ago
I remember hearing this song every moring back in `70 when my friend would drive me to high school in his VW. Great song, she has a hell of a voice.Shame music isn`t this good today.
loufalce 5 months ago
how do you even compare the high priestess to human trash like lady gaga shit.your correct ,,however she would have been a waitress or less.Not that gaga shit is anything today, other then a horrific clown.No one touches the powerful melanie safka cheers to all
1955c 5 months ago
I need to acknowledge the participation of the Edwin Hawkins Singers on this performance.
As amazing as they and Melanie are separately, when put together - WOW!
NewWaver80014 5 months ago
wow!!!!!!
rnm1948 5 months ago
that is some serious hair do's at about 1:55-2:03 in this song - lol - really do love this song !!!!
Helwog 5 months ago
To the person who posted....thank you so much....I forgot what beauty in voice and when faith in song writing are combined echoes a heavenly tune that all can appreciate. Melanie now and then - than you.
karlrod712 5 months ago 2
I love the older crowd goovin' on this young music. Folk and Gospel make a good combo...
rixracer 6 months ago 3
Darn good sound engineering for 1970 TV
hemiforever 6 months ago
Fantastic voice. Melanie, Grace Slick, and Janis Joplin were all great.
DominickFontana 6 months ago 3
Melanie sure was perky and pretty back then and what a great voice!
chuc555 6 months ago
ABSOLUTE CLASSIC....!!!
TheJKVW 6 months ago
hehe my dad made me love this music... he been at tis concert and every other one she did in the Netherlands... he 75 now and when she's in holland again mma take him
MesaTheinsane 7 months ago
GOD AARP CONVENTIONS RULED IN 1970!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
utubesux691 7 months ago 3
Lol, is there a Holiday Inn in North Dakota? I think Motel 6 has a monopoly, but I agree most whole heartedly with the rest.. How can they call lyrics like "I told ma bitch to get on down' music or moving?
bw98011 7 months ago
wow
mothergrace1 7 months ago
Absolutely best version, hearing her singing over the choral parts really completes the song.
RespIendency 8 months ago 5
Melainie, as always, kicked ass here. The Edwin Hawkins Singers (love those wigs), kicked ass here, as well. But, the geriatric audience in their oh so fashionable and trendy eyeglasses and hairstyles, and clapping off time, stole the show and kicked some very serious ass (they made me smile). This is one of Melanies finest songs, and it was a real treat to hear a live rendition of one of my faves.
twowaystreet101 8 months ago
Comment removed
FolkMusicFanatic 8 months ago
@twowaystreet101 : I agree Melanie does kick serious ass, but I don't think those are wigs on the Edwin Hawkins singers. They have afros.
FolkMusicFanatic 8 months ago 2
@FolkMusicFanatic Just a bit of a joke (re: the wigs - not the singers, they're amazing). The male members of the EH Singers are wearing "afro's or "naturals." Most of the female members are wearing wigs - not sure why. By this time, Afro's were in - Hendrix, Roberta Flack, Billy Preston, all had afro's. Angela Davis had an "afro" of such epic proportion, her hair made a statement almost as serious as the one Ms. Davis was making. Afro's were cool. Too bad they're not as "in" as they once were.
twowaystreet101 8 months ago
LOL I come from a long line of Dutch. For the Dutch that audience is practically orgasmic.
zamusicza 8 months ago 3
@zamusicza LOL! You said it for me...
HickysBoy 7 months ago
great song. great video. love, peace, and happiness, brothers and sisters. thanks for sharing
animascat 8 months ago 2
I've always loved this song. It's great to finally see a video, but It's odd that the audience looks like they're at a Lawrence Welk show!
manlius 8 months ago
Thank you so much for posting this video! I've never seen a video of Melanie singing this song live from 1970, especially with the backing of the Edwin Hawkins Singers (who are backing her here.) This is wonderful! I remember that the first year that I started riding a bicycle back in 1969 - 70, in central Florida, when I was 6 years old, whenever we had to ride our bikes in the rain many of us young folks would sing this song and have a lot of fun doing so.
sneezyize 8 months ago
Melanie is the greatest ever! And she is playing at Glastonbury THIS YEAR!!!
madhatfolk 8 months ago
SEE, SHE Was & Still IS THEE BEST Ever
dukeuke1 8 months ago
Amazing! This video should have like a Grillion views!!!!!
kduane1 8 months ago 2
please stop being so judgemental....you are so flat and sharp when you sing I just don't think anyone has the heart to tell you. But you can't keep your confusted opinion to yourself. So I have to be honest with you.....you aren't as talented as you think. Sorry
juliswann 9 months ago
Oh stop hating...what have you done lately? Maybe you should go with Gaga and but a slab of steak across your mouth.....that would be the best for you steve.
juliswann 9 months ago
The backup singers are outstanding! I've watched this video a few times and wondered were are the younger people you'd expect at this show. Well, at 3:59 - 4:01 I spotted a good looking blonde in the first row.
aimeemannfan2010 9 months ago
very unique voice. this song gives me goose bumps.
sunnyballet 9 months ago 2
That's too funny, all the straights doing their hand claps for Melanie.
Reminds me of the audience for The Hollies doing that crazy tune they did about an exotic dancer, with a banjo, the straight Brit audience was clapping along to it. Stop, Stop, Stop All The Dancing Was The Tune.
brianallancobb 9 months ago
@brianallancobb
Who the hell is this old hippy talking about "straights"? What the hell is a straight? Someone who takes showers and works for a living?
fizmath 7 months ago
@fizmath
I'm the old hippie ("ie" rather than "y", please, the "y" is so 50s) who nonethless bathed and went to work every day. And yes, I feel qualified to talk about "straights". Where were you in 1969?
brianallancobb 7 months ago
@brianallancobb
I was a zygote in 1969
fizmath 6 months ago
@fizmath
Glad you made it.
brianallancobb 6 months ago
@fizmath if you have to ask what a straight is, you are one.
judyann614 6 months ago
waoo tremenda voz la de Melanie, epoca maravillosa
ysidrorodriguez 9 months ago
great song
link71711 9 months ago
'enthousiastic audience?' Pensioners clapping their hands off the beat...lol. Anyway, great performance by Melanie. Thanks for posting!
tishierkrisis 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
It's a chant; a prayer; and will always be so. That is why it holds up over time and generations, as it will forevermore.
Amen.
TextFreeley 9 months ago
It's a chant; a prayer; and will always be so. That is why it holds up over time and generations, as it will forevermore.
TextFreeley 9 months ago 2
she is like a mix of whinnie cooper and the girl from finaly destination 3 AKA jon mclains daughter in live free and die hard... lovely :)
myPAINisSELFchosen85 9 months ago
Back in the old days when I thought peace was possible because I was young and incredibly naive.
sandydenny411 9 months ago 2
and still the killing goes on.
sandydenny411 9 months ago
what can one say but great song.
2574mcu 9 months ago
I love this clip and Melanie, too! Thanks for posting. Yes, she may have had a toke or two here...it's Holland and its 1970 after all!
HickysBoy 9 months ago
thank you for posting this... what a capsule of time. Huge fan of Melanie since the 70's. I would not have seen this if not for youtube and its members,
Dalerob2006 10 months ago
A time when music came directly from them deepest of the soul, a time when artists were real human beings and not products of image makers and multinational boards of directors. I'm very concerned about today's music situtation. Phil Collins, disgusted from the today music industry announced his retirement saying that he don't want to have the slightest relation with present music reality.
evarlam 10 months ago 2
Real soul stirring stuff. Did the girls borrow those wigs from The Marvelettes!
What a song. You never want it to stop
dylandollyspud 10 months ago
@dylandollyspud lol the Marvalettes
pattifanalwayz 3 months ago
多分､日本人でこの曲にコメントしてる人いないんだろな〜。でもメラニーは素晴らしいボーカリストであり､ソングライターです。この時代にフォークとゴスペルのクロスオーバー､はっきり言って凄すぎです！
MAYUMITYE75 10 months ago
What a powerful voice!!! Still makes the hairs on my neck stand up straight, even 40 years later! Love this song!!!
MikeFSr58 11 months ago 23
@MikeFSr58 couldnt have said it better myself let the vibes rise high as i listen!!!!
4y48p67g 7 months ago
Is that an audience or an oil painting?
piperpig 11 months ago
Intense.
VIKINGDEATHCHANT 11 months ago
Just f-ing EPIC!!!!!!!!!!
RichardFeynmanRules 11 months ago
Meher_baba wikapidia
961kelly 11 months ago
Who says music can't change anything? I am transformed by her voice. Raise the candle high...
youtubifyme 11 months ago
I simply like her voice and the beat...yeah 1970's
ll4891 11 months ago
Flowing waves and spirit ~^~
WindHarps 11 months ago
Awwww one lonely thumbs down so far. This is beautiful!
hathorearthfyre 11 months ago
No one in todays music industry can compare to Melanie.
mammy1948 11 months ago
Come on people, leave politics out of it! Enjoy the GO%&^#@ FUC^#$#% Music!!
meoddball 11 months ago
A drugged up little girl with no sense of the world...you are full of hot air alright...Maybe you let off some steam and blow away for good.
juliswann 11 months ago
her music sounds like exactly what she is a drugged up little girl with no sense of the world. sorry to be offensive to those who enjoy her, i needed to let off some steam:)
itaklassy 1 year ago
@itaklassy You are full of hot air alright...Maybe you should let off some steam and blow away for good, please do........
juliswann 11 months ago
@itaklassy
Melanie was actually openly anti-drug. I saw an interview with her on youtube where she made that clear.
tomcaroscio 9 months ago
why is every song defiled by the name of gaga? she is not a great one. her lyrics have no profound meaning. in poker face it sounds like she says f@ck her face. i had listen to some of it because every talks about. and she thinks shes producing great dance music? she obviously never herd any good dance/electronic/techno in her life.
itaklassy 1 year ago
I listened to this video out of fondness and for nastalgic reasons. This was my generation and then-like now- it was a mixed bag of peoples all striving for what they each believed in. It sickened me to read some of the comments here. But only proves that we have not changed as human beings or as a people. We are still a mixed bag of good,bad,ugly,beautiful,happy,sad,honest,decietful,selfISH or selfLess,Ungodly or Godly peoples. That hasn't changed.
standwith 1 year ago 2
a freaking communist
frefre4646 1 year ago
@frefre4646 : If you're referring to Melanie. She is FAR from a Communist. She actually loves freedom (including capitalism). She describes herself as a Libertarian.
FolkMusicFanatic 1 year ago
Awesome!!!!
aimeemannfan2010 1 year ago
best thing i've seen in quite a while, so 2 big thumbs up !!!
maybe you know where, in a'dam, concertgebouw?
thanks for a quality post .........
NewWorldOption2012 1 year ago
Woodstock Nation lol. yippy! trippy! hippy! love!
theseether 1 year ago
The spring of 1970 was an apocalyptic time: all the Woodstock music was coming out, other songs like Ball of Confusion were always in the air, and it was the high-water mark of the 60's in many ways: Kent State, Weathermen, Black Panthers, the Invasion of Cambodia. We were 13 years old, and we thought the world was ending.
Cielamouroux 1 year ago
@Cielamouroux Amen. I was US Army 65-68 and a lot of people's world was ending. PAX
sgtcrab1 7 months ago
wonderous!
futuristfood 1 year ago
This will always be the song that set Melanie on the road to fame.
keygain 1 year ago
I would say, It's a lost song from a great era that's been found again. Thank you for sharing it.
ENCOMAN 1 year ago 2
Melanie and the Edwin Hawkins Singers
oronopolo 1 year ago
One of the greatest songs from an era lost.....certainly one of the best of my time and I have heard so many
canuck1252 1 year ago 2
I finaly get to the see the back up singers!! This must have been an unbelievable experience to see this concert. Wish I was there. Born Late 7 Sep 68...
Caspian02 1 year ago
Black and white film and an audience of middle-aged straights. Was this really 1970 ? I suppose it must be since the song was written after Woodstock.
Incredible.
vonroon23 1 year ago
@vonroon23 : It was after she got inspiration from people lighting candles on her set when she sang Beautiful People.
FolkMusicFanatic 1 year ago
There shouldn't be any comparison on Earth between Melanie Safka & Lady GaGa! There are absolutely NO similarities between them. They both are great, but it's almost impossible to compare them . . .
luchalloyd 1 year ago 3
Just Amazing!!!
markshisko 1 year ago
The incredible power of this performance is delivered by their voices and passion alone. Far surpasses anything we see nowadays delivered with lasers, jumbo screens, over-amplified noise, or other "special effects."
flypaperexpress 1 year ago
Thanks to the HP ad I've revisited Melanie and enjoyed her as much as I did forty years ago (gasp). I've loved the shots of the audience too.
DCV321 1 year ago
The live mix is flawless...which is pretty unusual for TV of that era. And Edwin Hawkins' fingers are just dancing on that keyboard, man! That really puts the icing on the cake.
pablosurfs3 1 year ago
@stingray OMG the industry today doesn't seem allow true singing and songwriting. I've seen old clips of Lady Gaga singing and playing the piano before she became famous and she's really talented. But unfortunately real talent doesn't sell CDs and mp3s.
LightDrumstix 1 year ago
Melanie was so beautiful.
ElectricShark 1 year ago 2
Wow!!!! Melanie is being backed up by the brilliant voices of the Edwin Hawkins Singers. For those of you that don't know, this is the same choir that recorded the gospel classic "Oh Happy Day" just 2 years before this performance. RIP Bishop Walter Hawkins who is singing in the tenor section of this clip with the biggest afro!
LightDrumstix 1 year ago 2
@LightDrumstix man...she had some wicked pipes!! Now that was performance, not like these hacks now days....Lady Gaga cough cough.
Impressive...
stingray1964 1 year ago
@stingray1964 leave young Stephanie alone! Melanie was ok, and this song one of the best, but Gaga is brilliant - writes, plays, dances & sings exceptionally well - the best 'thing' to happen to music for decades, perhaps even since Melanie. Check out her recent performance with Elton John - now that's Performance !!! I'm over 50, and love both Melanie and Stephanie.
inlonggully 1 year ago
@inlonggully Sorry, no offense...That's a a pretty tough pill to swallow seeing that Elton John hasn't really been able to sing either since he had those nodes removed in the late 80's, so I'll take your word for it. I just feel that lady Gaga is another example of how lame the recording industry has gotten and the way Pop music and the Producers who write all these songs have destroyed the industry. Just my two cents....
stingray1964 1 year ago 3
@inlonggully did you just compare melanie to lady gaga? step the fuck down, gaga is a fad, melanie is a legend, idiot
shiittalker 1 year ago 3
@shiittalker : I give Melanie two thumbs way up! I got to meet her at Infinity Hall (Peter's last show sadly) and she sings way better than anyone in today's "music." I may be young but I can't stand today's music. There is just no talent in music anymore its all for money. Melanie is wonderful and cares so much for her music and her fans. Melanie is a legend pure and simple.
FolkMusicFanatic 1 year ago 2
@shiittalker
Ya know!! I simply don't get the comparison.
tmontyb10011 1 year ago
@inlonggully I really dig Gaga. It's nice to see a pop star that is an actual musician. That used to be no big deal but now our standards have been so lowered by the "dumbing down" of popular music, that a competant musician songwriter comes off as "brilliant". A term once reserved only for the most gifted IE John Lennon, Elton John, Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder etc.
Stephanie has a long way to go before earning a place with that company.
demonhoopa 1 year ago
@inlonggully You cant possibly be serious
OMG how far the standards have fallen.
In retrospect, Melanie as great as she is
was a mere ripple in the
bucket of 60s early 70s music.
The music was that great
Gaga would of been A North Dakota
Holiday Inn lounge singer at best
( Sorry ND that was not
fair to you.)
pigurine 1 year ago 20
@pigurine LOL you owe the Holiday in an apology too.
zamusicza 7 months ago
@pigurine Well said!.... and no offense taken from us NoDaks. Lots of Melanie fans up here!
RUDEZEBRA 6 months ago
@pigurine Did you ever nail that. Melanie was a wonderful talent. Her songs still echo decades later.....Lady Gaga/s music in time will be in some dust bin, long long forgotten.
lagunaflyguy 4 months ago
@pigurine Did you ever nail that. Melanie was a wonderful talent. Her songs still echo decades later.....Lady Gaga/s music in time will be in some dust bin, long long forgotten.
lagunaflyguy 4 months ago
Has there ever been a song more fitting than Lay Down for every Political Move our World has ever made? And I've loved this song from the second I heard it. And still do today, and I am almost 54 :). If everyone notices in the Audience there are fans from all ages, younger to older. Groovy at it's best.
sugaree9 1 year ago 19
@sugaree9
Amen, sugaree9!! I'll be 56 next week. I love her songs. She's beautiful!! I noticed the audience!!
THaulk 1 year ago
@THaulk Happy Birthday!! Right behind you. lol 54 on the 26th.
sugaree9 1 year ago
@sugaree9
How about an early Happy Birthday, sugaree9!!
That be ok?
THaulk 1 year ago
@sugaree9
Thank you, sugaree9
I appreciate it!! :)
THaulk 1 year ago
@sugaree9 yes. and this song, for me, is as inspirational today as it was...oh God...forty years ago!
jimmysudar 1 year ago 2
@sugaree9 The Dutch have always been big on freedom - real freedom - not the bogus freedom we have in the US which is nothing more than a license for the rich and powerful to steal as much as they can.
HickysBoy 1 year ago
@sugaree9 I only saw old persons... xD
elizium4 11 months ago
@sugaree9 In answer to your question, NO other song is more fitting for every Political move ever made than Lay Down. This song is especially fitting for the wars our brave soldiers fought and many died in. This song should be dedicated to all those whose loved ones (especially soldiers) died serving their countries especially during the wars in Vietnam, The Persian Gulf, all World Wars, Iraq, Afganistan, and the conflicts in The Middle East and Northern Africa.
gorickard319582010 10 months ago
@sugaree9 I know what your saying, basically, you had to be there!
charming568 9 months ago
@sugaree9 AMEN !!!!!!!
4y48p67g 7 months ago
Melanie and her soulful backround vocals raised the roof! In front of an audience full of clapping corpses.
Apsu72 1 year ago
Enthousiastic audience? Fuck..... They look like robots!
PERROMALDO 1 year ago
Sing it Melanie!! I remember when I was younger and saw Melanie sing, I'd never seen a white person, up to then, sing with such rhythm and blues. You go girl!!
Onlythetruth247 1 year ago
40 Years later and this song still sends CHILLS down my spine!!!!!
BRILLIANT!!!!
scooey 1 year ago
I just love this song, and it really brings back the spirit of Woodstock
BlackasVelvet 1 year ago
Melanie let me tell you see this message when interpretastes that song it seems that these possessed by God, that most beautiful spirit which lived in the decade of the 60. God bless you.
carcor37 1 year ago
simply put, INCREDIBLE!
HongKongFooy1 1 year ago
It is incredible that interpretation melanie, collects the hippie spirit of the times, I believe unequivocally that it is without doubt one of the best interpetraciones of that song. "Magic"
carcor37 1 year ago
thanks again violator511
GirlCousins 1 year ago 3
@GirlCousins You`re welcome :)
violator511 1 year ago
Only once in a generation will come a singer that can convey such feeling from their voice and invoke such intense emotion.
3volv 1 year ago
@3volv
Well said.
tobama08 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@tobama08 ΠΑΝΤΩΣ Η ΕΚΔΟΧΗ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΝΕΙ Η ΒΙΚΥ ΛΕΑΝΔΡΟΣ,ΣΤΟ ΣΥΓΚΕΚΡΙΜΕΝΟ ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΟΛΥ ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΑΠΟ ΑΥΤΗ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΝΕΙ Η ΜΕΛΑΝΥ ΣΑΦΚΑ.ΠΑΝΤΩΣ Η ΕΚΔΟΧΗ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΝΕΙ Η ΒΙΚΥ ΛΕΑΝΔΡΟΣ,ΣΤΟ ΣΥΓΚΕΚΡΙΜΕΝΟ ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΟΛΥ ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΗ ΑΠΟ ΑΥΤΗ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΝΕΙ Η ΜΕΛΑΝΥ ΣΑΦΚΑ.
tommerrigan1956 1 year ago
"enthousiastic dutch audience"
lol
26Flan 1 year ago 2
@26Flan hey, nobody ever claimed the Dutch could spell. jk jk. :)
theseether 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
"enthousiastic dutch audience"
lol
26Flan 1 year ago
This song gives me goosebumps. One of the many songs in the day, that were substantial, had meaningful lyrics, and of course the melody.
sunnyballet 1 year ago
Who is the party pooper who can't appreciate this impassioned performance by the quirky but immensely talented Melanie?
gschell99 1 year ago
She is perhaps one of the most grooviest chicks to have ever come out of Astoria.I can remember her earlier years singing in clubs down in the Villiage.Dites,I can certainly agree with you.Listening to Melanie,even after all these years always makes my day.Thanks violator for this timeless classic.
50marioD 1 year ago
I am 56 years old and I only remember listening to a few of her songs all those years ago. I had no idea if she was black, white or yellow as I had never seen her on TV or video. Watching this I can see that she had a beauty, which she probably still has, to compliment her voice. Thank you violator for making my day, week and month!
Dites1954 1 year ago
@frannyward: The audience is not scared. They are in awe of Melanie's musical talent and her awesomely powerful voice! Melanie is a great singer and she can pull off a great concert, even if the audience happens to be one of the most boring emotionally sterile people in Europe: The Dutch.
FolkMusicFanatic 1 year ago
she's scaring the audience...
frannyward 1 year ago
@frannyward She is too! But if you're going to scare people, Melanie shows how it's done :-)
blackmore4 1 year ago
It's difficult for me to type. I have loved this song for years. Feeling very hopeless about things. What an incredible gift this is. Thank you so so much to the person who posted this video. To see Melanie's shining beautiful face, her gorgeous, moving voice and singing, a live performance from the time of the song, and with the wonderful edwin hawkins singers, their beautiful and stirring voices sailing out, everyone joyful, with Melanie soaring and sailing above. Heartrending. THANK YOU.
cg321 1 year ago 3
An absolutely fantastic song then and still is!
rickram1961 1 year ago
Forgot how adorable she was.
Had a big crush on her as a boy.
pitbullexpress 1 year ago 2
the best song about the woodstock experience ever created
stalkingwolf1954 1 year ago
This is the best video of my all time favorite song I have ever seen! Thanks for sharing it!
JohnRussellComic 1 year ago
Jezus ik ben weer JONG !!!
Trebor1956 1 year ago
@Trebor1956 je bent nog steeds 54, morgen weer een dag
Martyn1337 1 year ago
Man what a perfect combo....These people rocked ...This performance had class!!!
thunderdrumass 1 year ago
it seemed in the year 1970 gospel music was having a impact on the rock music of the day, as an example this song, Let It Be, Bridge Over Trouble Waters, Oh Happy Day in fact that's Edwin Hawkins on piano.
jody808 1 year ago
@jody808
Hey, very good observation. Come to think of it, you're right.
Also, Leon Russell, if I recall, had a gospel tinge to his music- he was popular at that time, though his records never sold as well as the songs you mention. Thanks for the information about Hawkins. So I imagine he was the choral director and pianist.
written12 1 year ago
This is a classic song from my generation. They dont write or put their soul into music like this no more. I was 12 when Woodstock happend and was there. Imortal
quemich 1 year ago
Kent iemand dit nog of ben ik echt een ouwe lul.
rsoen 1 year ago
@rsoen
Zie de Melanie Safka Hyves...er zijn nog een aantal liefhebbers. Al zal de gemiddelde leeftijd wel iets hoger liggen. Maar we kennen Melanie nog steeds en zullen haar niet snel vergeten!
nappie55 1 year ago
Here is the most under-rated singer of all time, period! I thank you for the post. Best 6:14 on the tube.
attra91 1 year ago
WHo invited the dead to a rock concert. She;s is smokin and these zombies are in left field
capitolemiproducer 1 year ago
@capitolemiproducer Actually Melanie and the Edwin Hawkins singers were the ones invited.
This is footage from an ancient Dutch TV talkshow, not a (rock)concert. :-)
Vince1648 1 year ago
Comment removed
DaDawg4real 1 year ago
@DaDawg4real, that's also the part of you that finds it necessary to a) blame others for your own thoughts, and b) continuing to spread a thought you believe is wrong. Anything can be a poison or an elixir of life in this world, and how you choose to let society affect you is your decision. It's not up to others to save your spirit (and this from an atheist). Want to "return to a natural and loving way of life"? Start by not posting garbage and blaming others for making you do so.
DarkRider69 1 year ago
Comment removed
myradioon 1 year ago
Comment removed
myradioon 1 year ago