Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) - Melanie Safka (1970) 1/12/21

In the early '70s, if you looked up the term “hippie chick” in the (non-existent) counter-culture dictionary, you'd find a picture of Melanie Safka.

Melanie was known for a bunch of oddly catchy songs, including today's “Great Song of 1970!”

In 1969, Melanie was one of only 3 female solo performers at the Woodstock Music Festival. It was raining during her set, and as she looked out at the huge crowd getting soaked in the rain and mud, she was amazed to see many of them lighting matches, candles and lighters, and waving them back and forth to the music. This is pretty much a cliche' at concerts today, but back then, it was a relatively new phenomenon.

The experience moved her to write and record what became her FIRST “Great Song of the '70s:” “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).” To back her up on the track, she hired The Edwin Hawkins Singers, who had recently reached #4 on the Hot 100 with the Gospel song, “Oh Happy Day.” THAT decision, as odd as it was, added some extra spice to Melanie's already quirky vocals, and radio listeners around the world loved it!

The song went to #1 in Canada and The Netherlands, #3 in Australia, and #6 in the US on Billboard's Hot 100.

“Lay Down (Candles in the Rain):” a “Great Song of 1970!”

And just because I like “Oh Happy Day,” here are The Edwin Hawkins Singers (1969):