When Melanie’s “Brand New Key” debuted in 1971, some people were confused.
What did the singer, who died on Tuesday at 76, mean when she sang about having a brand-new pair of roller skates and someone else having a brand-new key?
Melanie told interviewers that she wrote the song in 15 minutes, after ending a 27-day fast, and that it was intended to be cute.
It sounded strange, like a song out of time — Melanie said she intended it to hearken to the 1930s — sung with what could now be called a warbling “indie girl voice.” And it somehow hit No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Persons:
Melanie’s, ”, Melanie, “ Don’t, — Melanie