by Jessica Shelton·Published · Updated
In “What Have They Done to My Song Ma”, Melanie is in fact addressing her mother. However, the message contained therein is obviously intended to be heard by a wider audience.And the “they” referred to in the title would be an allusion to the music industry. And what Melanie seems to be beefing about is the industry perverting her music and even her brain.In terms of the music especially this reality makes her very unhappy, as she feels making songs is the only thing she can do right.
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You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Melanie's What Have They Done to My Song Ma at Lyrics.org.
So basically whatshe is insinuating is that by the time songs which she writes hit the market,they have ‘turned out all wrong’.But she realizes this is done in thename of making them more profitable. So if nothing else, she hopes that at theend of the day she can at least walk away “rich”.
So this is basically a track in which someone akin to a true artist is lamenting how her art is influenced by a third party in the name of generating income. Indeed when the final product actually does come out, she more or less deems it as some sort of an abomination.
French Section of “What Have They Done to My Song, Ma”
The Frenchpassage of this song pretty much reflects the same sentiment expressedthroughout – the singer being dissatisfied with the way “they” have altered hersong. But here she seems to make it more evident. She states that herparticular gripe is that after “they” got through the modification process, thesong is no longer pleasing to her ears.
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Facts about “What Have They Done to My Song Ma”
An accepted alternate title of this song is “Look What They’ve Done To My Song Ma”
“What Have They Done to My Song Ma” originally came out in 1970 as part of Melanie’s third album, which is titled “Candles in the Rain”.And it was published by Buddah Records.
The multi-talented Melanie wrote this song, and it was produced by her regular collaborator, Peter Schekeryk.
It has been covered by the likes of the following:
- The New Seekers (1970)
- Ray Charles (1972)
- Nina Simone (c. 1972)
- Miley Cyrus (2012)
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12 Responses
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Frank Ocwieja says:
July 9, 2021 at 5:21 pm
Many traditional republicans are now singing to the same tune about what they’ve done to their party.
Reply
Iris M. Rosenberg-Cooper says:
July 17, 2021 at 9:04 pm
The trouble that the lovely and talented artist, Ms. Melanie, may have had in ‘Look What They’ve Done to My Song’ is the unconditional love she has for her audience but not feeling it from them; you think . . . She is the greatest!
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Lisa in Illinois says:
September 10, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Song for the times . Soooooo sad !
Reply
Merrill Kaitz says:
April 11, 2022 at 9:48 pm
Much more universal, I think. In every place and time misunderstanding, rejection, repression inflict misery and sorrow on one’s own individual song. Compare Rainy Day Women #12 and #35 by Dylan– “They’ll stone you when you’re tryin’ to be so good….” Governments, businesses, schools, parents, authorities– I know they have changed my song, and I’d like to find a good book…
Reply
T-Mac says:
April 23, 2022 at 12:07 am
It was actually about her song ‘I’d Like To Teach the World to Sing’ being appropriated (presumably legally and turned into ‘I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke’.
Reply
Anonymous says:
May 13, 2022 at 1:43 pm
I knew this many years ago and have spent days what song she was talking about as I had forgotten, so thank you.
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Also Anonymous says:
August 20, 2022 at 9:12 pm
That is incorrect information. ‘I’d like to teach the world to sing’ was written by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. See wikipedia article about the song. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27d_Like_to_Teach_the_World_to_Sing_(In_Perfect_Harmony).
If you are based in the UK you may be able to learn more about Cook and Greenaway in this BBC programme. I only offer it here as a second source for you. https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2022/21/cook-and-greenaway
Other people have suggested that it was about her song ‘Lay Down (Candles in the Rain’ there is a programme about ‘Look What They’ve Done to My Song, Ma’ by the CBC which may answer the question however, I don’t know how to listen to it.Reply
Bubby says:
November 24, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Not accurate … in fact she had actually licensed her song for commercial use to sell oatmeal, soap and other miscellany. Not faulting her… but just a note.
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Little girl in Texas says:
May 14, 2022 at 5:44 am
i was about 12-13 when melanie Safka was big and i really love her songs.
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Quickmill says:
June 6, 2022 at 4:09 am
But she didn’t write “I’d like to teach the world to sing”
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Douglas Archer says:
April 8, 2023 at 6:28 am
In Psychology, cause and effect can be reversed. If an artist is pouring themselves, their essence, their soul and life experience, their passion into their art, then when they are forced to change the art, that also changes the artist.
Most businesses force this upon most artists. While this song is about songs, it applies to any creative ‘work’ done by a person with the soul of an artist.Reply
Hello says:
August 20, 2023 at 11:04 am
Many traditional democrats are now singing to the same tune about what they’ve done to their party.
Reply
