Melanie Safka - Cover Versions

Cover Versions

Many notable artists have covered Melanie's compositions:

"Lay Down"

In 1971, Mott the Hoople released a version of this song on their Wildlife album. Vicky Leandros recorded a Greek version in 1972. In 1994, Philadelphia indie rock band The Strapping Fieldhands recorded a 3-track no-fi version of the song (as well as a reprise that closes the album) for its EP "In The Pineys". Australian singer Max Sharam's 1995 recording reached the Top 40 on the Australian singles charts. In 1999, Meredith Brooks' release included backing vocals by Queen Latifah.

"Brand New Key"

In 1976, Scrumpy and Western band The Wurzels covered "Brand New Key" with substantially rewritten lyrics as "The Combine Harvester". It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and stayed there for two weeks. Macy Gray, Dolly Parton and Cher have all performed "Brand New Key" in concert (the last on The Sonny and Cher Show). Country singer Deana Carter covered the song on her 1999 Top 10 album Everything's Gonna Be Alright. The cellist band Rasputina had their version on the album Thanks for the Ether. Female-fronted punk trio The Dollyrots included their version on the album Because I'm Awesome. 2006 American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee covered "Brand New Key" as the bonus track on her 2010 album Unbroken. Olivia Newton-John covered the song on the album A Few Best Men (soundtrack) in 2012. Jessica Frech covered the song on her 2012 album "Reality".

"What Have They Done to My Song Ma"

Daliah Lavi recorded a successful German version of the song in 1971 and Ray Charles released a cover (as "Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma") in 1972. The song has also been covered by Nina Simone and Billie Jo Spears. Yugoslav rock band Bajaga i Instruktori released a cover of it with lyrics in Serbian, called "Vidi šta sam ti uradio od pesme, mama" in 1985.

It was rewritten for a commercial for General Mills Raisin Crisp Oatmeal in the 1980s. "Look what they've done to my oatmeal."

In October 2012, actress/singer Miley Cyrus, known for appearing as Hannah Montana, released an acoustic video of her own take on the song.

"Beautiful People"

The Dutch singer Mathilde Santing had a gold record and the first Top 10 hit version of "Beautiful People" in 1997. Die Goldenen Zitronen covered the song on their 2009 album Die Entstehung der Nacht. Sandra Bernhard covered the song on her live album, I Love Being Me, Don't You?

"I Really Loved Harold"

Emiliana Torrini covered "I Really Loved Harold" on her 1996 album Merman. She has also recorded a version of "Lay Down".

Other songs

The New Seekers covered several Melanie songs, and also charted in the United States with "Beautiful People" (#67), "Look What They've Done To My Song Ma" (#14) and "Nickel Song" (#81). Dion covered "Close To It All" on his 1971 album, You're Not Alone. Roger Kellaway covered "Centre of the Circle" on the 1972 album of the same name. An 11 year old Björk covered "Christopher Robin" in Icelandic on her debut album, Björk. The 2003 Australian hip-hop track "The Nosebleed Section" by the Hilltop Hoods sampled "People In The Front Row"; another hip-hop track, an instrumental titled "Crasy Sound", was released in 2008 by Danny! and samples "Summer Weaving". Kiki & Herb opened their Carnegie Hall concert with "Close To It All" (available on CD as Kiki & Herb Will Die For You).

Will Oldham and Tortoise covered "(Some Say) I Got Devil" on their 2006 covers album The Brave and the Bold. Cissy Houston has recorded Melanie's "Any Guy". Alison Moyet performed "Momma, Momma" on her live DVD One Blue Voice and as the b-side to her 2007 single "One More Time".