Brand New Key

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Brand New Key is a pop song written by folk singer Melanie (Melanie Safka), which became a novelty hit in 1971-2. Taken from Melanie's album The Good Book the song (also known as The Rollerskate Song) was her biggest hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in December 1971 and January 1972. It reached #1 in Canada, and #4 in the UK charts.

The lighthearted song is the flirtations of a teenager, using Freudian symbolism in the chorus:[1]

I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together and try them out you see

In 1976, Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) produced by Bob Barrett was released in the UK by West Country novelty act The Wurzels, reaching #1 for two weeks in June. New rustic-themed lyrics by Brendan O'Shaughnessy included "I got a brand new combine harvester An' I'll give you the key".

Melanie's version was featured in 1997's film Boogie Nights during the scene where Heather Graham gets undressed to have sex with Mark Wahlberg.

Preceded by:
"Family Affair" by Sly & the Family Stone
Billboard Hot 100 number one single (Melanie version)
December 25, 1971
Succeeded by:
"American Pie" by Don McLean
Preceded by:
"No Charge" by J.J Barrie
UK number one single(Wurzels version)
June 12, 1976
Succeeded by:
"You to me are Everything" by The Real Thing

[edit] References

  1. ^ Brand New Key from the Super Seventie Rocksite.