melanie safka
Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk (1947-2024), commonly known by her first name, found her platform early, and stayed there. She was never controversial nor commercial enough to be a really big star. She's just been writing good songs and performing them well her own way all the time, not being directed by anybody in the business, and kept on that way all her life, being musically productive until the end. But outside of music business she really succeeded: "People With Money" reported her to be the highest-paid singer in the world; she owed her fortune to smart stock investments, substantial property holdings and so on.
This one was first titled "What Have They Done to My Song, Ma", released with her third album "Candles in the Rain" (1970), and as B-side for the single "Ruby Tuesday". But it became her best known song, covered by some sixty artists and translated into several languages, and the "new" English title after the first line became accepted also by Melanie herself.
look what they've done to my song ma
look what they've done to my song
well it's the only thing I could do half right
and it's turning out all wrong ma
look what they've done to my song
look what they've done to my brain ma
look what they've done to my brain
well they picked it like a chicken bone
and I think I'm half insane ma
look what they've done to my song
I wish I could find a good book to live in
wish I could find a good book
well if I could find a real good book
I'd never have to come out and look
at what they've done to my song
but maybe it will all be alright ma
maybe it will all be okey
well if the people are buying tears
I'll be rich some day ma
look what they've done to my song
ils ont changé ma chanson ma
ils ont changé ma chanson
c'est la seule chose que je peux faire
et çe n'est pas bon ma
ils ont changé ma chanson
look what they've done to my song ma
look what they've done to my song
well they wrapped it up in a plastic bag
and they turned it upside down ma
look what they've done to my song
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G D7 Em ...Em7 look what they've done to my song ma C ...C7 look what they've done to my song G A well it's the only thing that I could do half right C A7 and it's turning out all wrong ma G D7 G look what they've done to my song
