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What Have They Done to My Song, Ma

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 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. But outside of music business she 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 released with her third album "Candles in the Rain" (1970). It is probably her best known song, covered by some sixty artists and translated into several languages.


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


For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.


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
G major
G
D seventh
D7
E minor
Em
E minor seventh
Em7
C major
C
C seventh
C7
A major
A
A seventh
A7
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Melanie Safka