The lyrics are loosely based on the 23rd Psalm in the Old Testament and the song was widely considered to be writer Dave Cousins's most commercial and radio-friendly offering to date. Indeed, some aficionados accused Cousins and the band of "selling out", especially as the band later appeared on Top of the Pops dressed in glittery "glam rock" outfits and wearing make-up (with drummer Richard Hudson unusually placed at the front of the stage).
The single was described, in the original A&M Records Press Release, as ".. the Strawbs first real attempt to crack open the singles market." It featured strong rock guitar riffs from the band's new guitarist Dave Lambert. The album version features an additional guitar solo, making it about thirty seconds longer than the single.
The song was brought to the public's attention again in 2007 when it featured on the BBC television series "Life on Mars". It was, however, unaccountably absent from the DVD boxset soundtrack.
Hello Master is the debut studio album by Canadian hard rock band Priestess. Recorded with producer Gus van Go, the album was initially released on October 18, 2005, by Indica Records in Canada and on later dates in other regions. Its lyrics discuss typical rock n' roll themes such as love, violence and death, and its unusual sound for a hard rock record of the time is the result of producer Gus van Go trying to emulate the sounds of classic rock and metal albums.
The album's music was predominantly written by Mikey Heppner, the band's lead singer and guitarist. Heppner formed Priestess after the Dropouts, his previous act which played punk rock music, fell through as its members left to form the Stills. Their manager, Gus van Go, signed-on to produce the debut album for Priestess. None of the music on Hello Master dates back to the Dropouts at all, as it was only written after Heppner decided he was done playing punk rock and wanted to play hard rock instead.
It is best known for spawning the hit "Lay Down", which was included in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, elevating the band's profile drastically. Critics have noted the album's resemblance to legendary acts such as Black Sabbath and AC/DC, who have been cited as a key influence on Priestess; such stylistic similarities had mixed results in reviews, but were not seen as terribly detrimental to the album's overall quality.
Released in March 1970, the recording was a spirited collaboration between folk singer/songwriter Melanie (Safka) and California gospel act the Edwin Hawkins Singers, who had reached the national Top Ten the previous year with "Oh Happy Day". Melanie wrote the song after performing at Woodstock in August 1969; the song's lyrics describe what she felt as she looked out at the sea of people attending the music event.
The single reached the Top Ten in several countries including the Netherlands, where in late March 1970 it replaced the Beatles' “Let It Be" at number one. In its native America “Lay Down” spent what was then a lengthy 17 weeks on both the Billboard and Cash Box charts. In May and early June 1970 it remained at number one for three weeks on WRKO-AM in Boston, ultimately ranking tenth among the station's year-end Top 100. In addition it reached number one in both Minneapolis/St. Paul (WDGY) and Albany (WPTR (AM)) in July, when it also peaked nationally.
In Australia “Lay Down” spent 23 weeks on the Go-Set national charts, reaching number three.
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" was the second single from Melanie's 1970 album Candles in the Rain. The song proved to be her breakthrough hit in the United States, climbing to number six on Billboard's Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box Top 100. The record was ranked #23 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970.
published: 27 Feb 2015
LAY DOWN Melanie & The Edwin Hawkins Singers LIVE '70 (Candles In The Rain)
Special thanks to Harley White, Sr. who played an amazing bass, and to Edwin (piano) and the Singers. The single hit #1 on the Dutch charts soon after this. Willem Duys, the host, was the Ed Sullivan of The Netherlands.
https://www.patreon.com/MelanieSafka
published: 29 Oct 2015
LAY DOWN (Candles In The Rain) FULL RECORDING Melanie & The Edwin Hawkins Singers ('70)
In tribute to Peter Schekeryk (the Record Man), creator of this 8-minute record. Peter made the call to Edwin Hawkins, leader of the gospel group. They had just come off their hit "Oh Happy Day." Peter was in high gear talking Edwin Hawkins’s ear off. Then out of nowhere he said, “Here....Melanie wants to talk to you.” I looked at him in horror as I put the phone to my ear.
Earlier I had said, “Peter, wouldn't it be great if the Edwin Hawkins Singers sang on Candles In The Rain?" He was off and running. He orchestrated the whole thing. We flew out to Oakland, California where they were rehearsing in a high school gym. They only do nonsecular music, I thought…couldn’t believe he got me into this!
When we walked in they were in the middle of a song. They trailed off and all looked at me. ...
published: 29 Oct 2015
Meredith Brooks - Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) ft. Queen Latifah
Official Music Video for Lay Down performed by Meredith Brooks.
#LayDown #MeredithBrooks
published: 15 Feb 2023
Lay Down (Candles In the Rain)
Provided to YouTube by Buddah/Legacy
Lay Down (Candles In the Rain) · Melanie · The Edwin Hawkins Singers
Candles In The Rain
℗ Originally released 1970. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
Released on: 1970-05-01
Associated Performer: Melanie with the Edwin Hawkins Singers
Composer, Lyricist: Melanie Safka
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 25 Nov 2021
Melanie Safka - Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) Lyrics
published: 07 Aug 2010
Lay Down / Candles In The Rain MELANIE & DAUGHTERS Live '91
Little sisters of the sun... with Leilah (blonde) and Jeordie at the Hard Rock Café inTampa.
There's a Pop Art version too...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w557uX2-lAI
Thank you again dear Sky Vibes, for making the best of hazy footage and letting me share it here!
Love, Melanie
Photo (video thumbnail) by Deborah Feingold in People Weekly, '71
published: 25 Jun 2021
NEW * Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) - Melanie with The Edwin Hawkins Singers {Stereo) 1970
1970.....#6 U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #3 U.S. Cash Box Top 100, #1 Canada, #3 Australia, #4 France, #1 Netherlands
Original video edited and AI remastered with HQ stereo sound.
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" is the second single from Melanie Safka's 1970 album Candles in the Rain. It was her breakthrough hit in the United States, climbing to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box Top 100. The record was ranked number 23 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970. It was released in March 1970.
The recording was a collaboration between Melanie and the Edwin Hawkins Singers, who had reached the national Top Ten the previous year with "Oh Happy Day". Melanie wrote the song after performing at Woodstock in August 1969; the song's lyrics describe what she...
published: 08 Feb 2022
Melanie - Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) Best Quality
Featuring the Edwin Hawkins Singers, Netherlands 1970
published: 03 Apr 2017
Melanie - Lay Down - 1970
Melanie Safka. Lay Down./ Candles In The Rain. 1970. Lay down, lay down ...
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" was the second single from Melanie's 1970 album Candles in the Rain. The song proved to be her breakthrough hit in the United S...
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" was the second single from Melanie's 1970 album Candles in the Rain. The song proved to be her breakthrough hit in the United States, climbing to number six on Billboard's Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box Top 100. The record was ranked #23 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970.
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" was the second single from Melanie's 1970 album Candles in the Rain. The song proved to be her breakthrough hit in the United States, climbing to number six on Billboard's Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box Top 100. The record was ranked #23 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970.
Special thanks to Harley White, Sr. who played an amazing bass, and to Edwin (piano) and the Singers. The single hit #1 on the Dutch charts soon after this. Wil...
Special thanks to Harley White, Sr. who played an amazing bass, and to Edwin (piano) and the Singers. The single hit #1 on the Dutch charts soon after this. Willem Duys, the host, was the Ed Sullivan of The Netherlands.
https://www.patreon.com/MelanieSafka
Special thanks to Harley White, Sr. who played an amazing bass, and to Edwin (piano) and the Singers. The single hit #1 on the Dutch charts soon after this. Willem Duys, the host, was the Ed Sullivan of The Netherlands.
https://www.patreon.com/MelanieSafka
In tribute to Peter Schekeryk (the Record Man), creator of this 8-minute record. Peter made the call to Edwin Hawkins, leader of the gospel group. They had just...
In tribute to Peter Schekeryk (the Record Man), creator of this 8-minute record. Peter made the call to Edwin Hawkins, leader of the gospel group. They had just come off their hit "Oh Happy Day." Peter was in high gear talking Edwin Hawkins’s ear off. Then out of nowhere he said, “Here....Melanie wants to talk to you.” I looked at him in horror as I put the phone to my ear.
Earlier I had said, “Peter, wouldn't it be great if the Edwin Hawkins Singers sang on Candles In The Rain?" He was off and running. He orchestrated the whole thing. We flew out to Oakland, California where they were rehearsing in a high school gym. They only do nonsecular music, I thought…couldn’t believe he got me into this!
When we walked in they were in the middle of a song. They trailed off and all looked at me. A white girl with a guitar and a wildly gesticulating man standing next to her.
Peter ran up to Edwin Hawkins who was playing the piano.
What I'm certain of is that he wasn't apologizing for barging in on their rehearsal. I thought Peter had prearranged this meeting. Apparently it was a surprise visit!
So in this spirit of ("I wish I could crawl under a seat and hide") I sang my heart out on a solo version of “Lay Down.” When I got to the second chorus, the Edwin Hawkins Singers joined in.
The rest is, as they say, history.
https://www.patreon.com/MelanieSafka
In tribute to Peter Schekeryk (the Record Man), creator of this 8-minute record. Peter made the call to Edwin Hawkins, leader of the gospel group. They had just come off their hit "Oh Happy Day." Peter was in high gear talking Edwin Hawkins’s ear off. Then out of nowhere he said, “Here....Melanie wants to talk to you.” I looked at him in horror as I put the phone to my ear.
Earlier I had said, “Peter, wouldn't it be great if the Edwin Hawkins Singers sang on Candles In The Rain?" He was off and running. He orchestrated the whole thing. We flew out to Oakland, California where they were rehearsing in a high school gym. They only do nonsecular music, I thought…couldn’t believe he got me into this!
When we walked in they were in the middle of a song. They trailed off and all looked at me. A white girl with a guitar and a wildly gesticulating man standing next to her.
Peter ran up to Edwin Hawkins who was playing the piano.
What I'm certain of is that he wasn't apologizing for barging in on their rehearsal. I thought Peter had prearranged this meeting. Apparently it was a surprise visit!
So in this spirit of ("I wish I could crawl under a seat and hide") I sang my heart out on a solo version of “Lay Down.” When I got to the second chorus, the Edwin Hawkins Singers joined in.
The rest is, as they say, history.
https://www.patreon.com/MelanieSafka
Provided to YouTube by Buddah/Legacy
Lay Down (Candles In the Rain) · Melanie · The Edwin Hawkins Singers
Candles In The Rain
℗ Originally released 1970. All...
Provided to YouTube by Buddah/Legacy
Lay Down (Candles In the Rain) · Melanie · The Edwin Hawkins Singers
Candles In The Rain
℗ Originally released 1970. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
Released on: 1970-05-01
Associated Performer: Melanie with the Edwin Hawkins Singers
Composer, Lyricist: Melanie Safka
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Buddah/Legacy
Lay Down (Candles In the Rain) · Melanie · The Edwin Hawkins Singers
Candles In The Rain
℗ Originally released 1970. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
Released on: 1970-05-01
Associated Performer: Melanie with the Edwin Hawkins Singers
Composer, Lyricist: Melanie Safka
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Little sisters of the sun... with Leilah (blonde) and Jeordie at the Hard Rock Café inTampa.
There's a Pop Art version too...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w...
Little sisters of the sun... with Leilah (blonde) and Jeordie at the Hard Rock Café inTampa.
There's a Pop Art version too...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w557uX2-lAI
Thank you again dear Sky Vibes, for making the best of hazy footage and letting me share it here!
Love, Melanie
Photo (video thumbnail) by Deborah Feingold in People Weekly, '71
Little sisters of the sun... with Leilah (blonde) and Jeordie at the Hard Rock Café inTampa.
There's a Pop Art version too...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w557uX2-lAI
Thank you again dear Sky Vibes, for making the best of hazy footage and letting me share it here!
Love, Melanie
Photo (video thumbnail) by Deborah Feingold in People Weekly, '71
1970.....#6 U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #3 U.S. Cash Box Top 100, #1 Canada, #3 Australia, #4 France, #1 Netherlands
Original video edited and AI remastered with HQ...
1970.....#6 U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #3 U.S. Cash Box Top 100, #1 Canada, #3 Australia, #4 France, #1 Netherlands
Original video edited and AI remastered with HQ stereo sound.
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" is the second single from Melanie Safka's 1970 album Candles in the Rain. It was her breakthrough hit in the United States, climbing to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box Top 100. The record was ranked number 23 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970. It was released in March 1970.
The recording was a collaboration between Melanie and the Edwin Hawkins Singers, who had reached the national Top Ten the previous year with "Oh Happy Day". Melanie wrote the song after performing at Woodstock in August 1969; the song's lyrics describe what she felt as she looked out at the sea of people in the audience.
1970.....#6 U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #3 U.S. Cash Box Top 100, #1 Canada, #3 Australia, #4 France, #1 Netherlands
Original video edited and AI remastered with HQ stereo sound.
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" is the second single from Melanie Safka's 1970 album Candles in the Rain. It was her breakthrough hit in the United States, climbing to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box Top 100. The record was ranked number 23 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970. It was released in March 1970.
The recording was a collaboration between Melanie and the Edwin Hawkins Singers, who had reached the national Top Ten the previous year with "Oh Happy Day". Melanie wrote the song after performing at Woodstock in August 1969; the song's lyrics describe what she felt as she looked out at the sea of people in the audience.
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" was the second single from Melanie's 1970 album Candles in the Rain. The song proved to be her breakthrough hit in the United States, climbing to number six on Billboard's Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box Top 100. The record was ranked #23 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970.
Special thanks to Harley White, Sr. who played an amazing bass, and to Edwin (piano) and the Singers. The single hit #1 on the Dutch charts soon after this. Willem Duys, the host, was the Ed Sullivan of The Netherlands.
https://www.patreon.com/MelanieSafka
In tribute to Peter Schekeryk (the Record Man), creator of this 8-minute record. Peter made the call to Edwin Hawkins, leader of the gospel group. They had just come off their hit "Oh Happy Day." Peter was in high gear talking Edwin Hawkins’s ear off. Then out of nowhere he said, “Here....Melanie wants to talk to you.” I looked at him in horror as I put the phone to my ear.
Earlier I had said, “Peter, wouldn't it be great if the Edwin Hawkins Singers sang on Candles In The Rain?" He was off and running. He orchestrated the whole thing. We flew out to Oakland, California where they were rehearsing in a high school gym. They only do nonsecular music, I thought…couldn’t believe he got me into this!
When we walked in they were in the middle of a song. They trailed off and all looked at me. A white girl with a guitar and a wildly gesticulating man standing next to her.
Peter ran up to Edwin Hawkins who was playing the piano.
What I'm certain of is that he wasn't apologizing for barging in on their rehearsal. I thought Peter had prearranged this meeting. Apparently it was a surprise visit!
So in this spirit of ("I wish I could crawl under a seat and hide") I sang my heart out on a solo version of “Lay Down.” When I got to the second chorus, the Edwin Hawkins Singers joined in.
The rest is, as they say, history.
https://www.patreon.com/MelanieSafka
Provided to YouTube by Buddah/Legacy
Lay Down (Candles In the Rain) · Melanie · The Edwin Hawkins Singers
Candles In The Rain
℗ Originally released 1970. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
Released on: 1970-05-01
Associated Performer: Melanie with the Edwin Hawkins Singers
Composer, Lyricist: Melanie Safka
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Little sisters of the sun... with Leilah (blonde) and Jeordie at the Hard Rock Café inTampa.
There's a Pop Art version too...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w557uX2-lAI
Thank you again dear Sky Vibes, for making the best of hazy footage and letting me share it here!
Love, Melanie
Photo (video thumbnail) by Deborah Feingold in People Weekly, '71
1970.....#6 U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #3 U.S. Cash Box Top 100, #1 Canada, #3 Australia, #4 France, #1 Netherlands
Original video edited and AI remastered with HQ stereo sound.
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" is the second single from Melanie Safka's 1970 album Candles in the Rain. It was her breakthrough hit in the United States, climbing to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box Top 100. The record was ranked number 23 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970. It was released in March 1970.
The recording was a collaboration between Melanie and the Edwin Hawkins Singers, who had reached the national Top Ten the previous year with "Oh Happy Day". Melanie wrote the song after performing at Woodstock in August 1969; the song's lyrics describe what she felt as she looked out at the sea of people in the audience.
The lyrics are loosely based on the 23rd Psalm in the Old Testament and the song was widely considered to be writer Dave Cousins's most commercial and radio-friendly offering to date. Indeed, some aficionados accused Cousins and the band of "selling out", especially as the band later appeared on Top of the Pops dressed in glittery "glam rock" outfits and wearing make-up (with drummer Richard Hudson unusually placed at the front of the stage).
The single was described, in the original A&M Records Press Release, as ".. the Strawbs first real attempt to crack open the singles market." It featured strong rock guitar riffs from the band's new guitarist Dave Lambert. The album version features an additional guitar solo, making it about thirty seconds longer than the single.
The song was brought to the public's attention again in 2007 when it featured on the BBC television series "Life on Mars". It was, however, unaccountably absent from the DVD boxset soundtrack.
The Greyhound's sinking in the waves, as fast the sea receives her. Curse the Reaper, bend your back and cheat your sorry grave! And Captain Bryce is on her deck, so we, her hands, may leave her. Curse the Reaper, bend your back and cheat your sorry grave! Curse the Reaper cowled in black, he's laughing at your failing. Pull that oar until it cracks, we're bound for better sailing, Bound for better sailing. At Bryce's word we went aloft, and fought the screaming bluster Curse the Reaper, bend your back and cheat your sorry grave! We shortened sails and trimmed the ropes, with all that we could muster Curse the Reaper, bend your back and cheat your sorry grave! Curse the Reaper cowled in black, he's laughing at your failing. Pull that oar until it cracks, we're bound for better sailing, Bound for better sailing. The Greyhound fought to stay aright as, cruel, the wild waves tossed her. Curse the Reaper, bend your back and cheat your sorry grave! But when the mast began to crack, we knew that we had lost her. Curse the Reaper, bend your back and cheat your sorry grave! Curse the Reaper cowled in black, he's laughing at your failing. Pull that oar until it cracks, we're bound for better sailing, Bound for better sailing. So put your back into it lads, and haul against the thunder. Curse the Reaper, bend your back and cheat your sorry grave! And cry a prayer into the winds the ship won't pull us under. Curse the Reaper, bend your back and cheat your sorry grave! Curse the Reaper cowled in black, he's laughing at your failing. Pull that oar until it cracks, we're bound for better sailing. (x2)