Brand New Key

If you’re not old enough to remember it when it was on the radio, you likely know the song “Brand New Key” from its appearance in commercials, like this one.  The song was the only number one hit for New York-born singer-songwriter Melanie, and it hit the top of Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart for a three-week run exactly 40 years ago today.  “Brand New Key” was one of six top 40 hits for Melanie, all coming in the early 1970s, which included one other top ten hit:  “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” which peaked at number 6 in 1970.

Melanie (or Melanie Safka by her full name) is still touring, and you can find out more about her, including tour dates, at her website.