Melanie: Early Show

Melanie became the voice of an era in one magical instant onstage at Woodstock

Singer-songwriter Melanie Safka has seen it all during her musical career. One of only three women who performed at Woodstock, Safka who is known professionally as Melanie has worked with the biggest names in the business, had her songs recorded by the likes of Ray Charles and Mott the Hoople and produced some memorable hits the epochal, nine minute-plus Woodstock-inspired, gospel-folk classic "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," the maddeningly catchy novelty chart topper "Brand New Key" and the bittersweet "Look What They Done to My Song, Ma." Melanie naturally favors a high-voltage, blues-informed, declarative phrasing style not dissimilar to Janis Joplin. But, ultimately, her sound is hers alone.