Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)

The Edwin Hawkins Singers, Melanie

About Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)

"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" was 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. 


Year:
2000
3:49
108 

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Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown

We were so close, there was no room
We bled inside each others wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace

Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown

So raise the candles high
'Cause if you don't we could stay black against the night
Oh, raise them higher again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain

Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown

We were so close there was no room
We bled inside each others wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace
Some came to sing, some came to pray
Some came to keep the dark away

So raise the candles high
'Cause if you don't we could stay black against the sky
Oh, oh, raise them higher again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain

Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
You gotta lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
You gotta lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
You gotta lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown

Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh

Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh

Oh lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh

Let it all down, let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown

Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds oh oh oh
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Uh uh uh uh lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown

Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Lay down, lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the ones

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Melanie

Melanie is a feminine given name derived from the Greek μελανία (melania), "blackness" and that from μέλας (melas), meaning "dark". Borne in its Latin form by two saints: Melania the Elder and her grand-daughter Melania the Younger, the name was introduced to England by the Normans in its French form Melanie. However the name only became common in English usage in the 1930s due to the popularity of Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind and its 1939 filmation, as one of the novel's main characters was named Melanie Hamilton. The name's popularity increased until the 1970s since remaining constant. Melanie was the 80th most popular name for girls born in the United States in 2007 and - as Mélanie - was the 86th most popular name for girls born in Fr… more »

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Written by: MELANIE SAFKA

Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Collaboration
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" is a unique collaboration by three distinct music artists - Melanie Safka, known as Melanie, the Edwin Hawkins Singers, and Edwin Hawkins himself.
Year of release
The song was released in the year 1970.
Chart Performance
It reached the Top 10 in music charts across multiple countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands.
Inspirational Source
Melanie Safka was inspired to write the lyrics of the song after her experience at the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair.
Celebrating Peace and Music
The song reflects the ambiance of the Woodstock Festival, an event renowned for promoting peace and music.
Genres
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" deftly blends folk, gospel, and psychedelic rock music genres.
Album
This song is a part of Melanie's album "Candles in the Rain" which was released in 1970.
B-side
The B-side of the single contains the song "Candles in the Rain".
Chart Achievement
The song reached No. 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100, making it one of Melanie's biggest hits.
Length
The single version of the song is approximately 3:49 minutes long, while the album version is 7:40 minutes long.
Edwin Hawkins Singers
The Edwin Hawkins Singers add a powerful gospel choir backdrop to the song, contributing to its unique sound.
Recognition
In 1999, American radio station WXPN ranked "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" 37th in the 885 All-Time Greatest Songs list.
Covers
Various artists, including Mott the Hoople and Meredith Brooks, have covered the song, proving its enduring appeal.
Live Performance
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" was performed live by Melanie at the closing night of the Bitter End nightclub in New York City in 1971.
Use in Pop Culture
The song was featured in the final episode of the popular Netflix series "The Get Down".

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    Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1970

    Billboard #6


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