Melting Pot (song)

"Melting Pot"
Single by Blue Mink
from the album Melting Pot
A-side	"Melting Pot"
B-side	"Blue Mink"
Released	1969
Genre	Rock
Label	Philips
Writer(s)	Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway
Blue Mink singles chronology
"Melting Pot" (1969) "Good Morning Freedom" (1970)

"Melting Pot" is the 1969 debut single from UK pop group Blue Mink. The song peaked at number three in the UK Singles chart in the first week of 1970, and also reached Number 11 in Ireland.^[1] While the song has assimilationist undertones, it is generally considered a plea for racial harmony.^[2]

The song was the opening track on the group's 1969 debut album, also titled Melting Pot.^[3]

The song was written by Blue Mink's lead singer Roger Cook and long time songwriter partner Roger Greenaway.^[4]

Track listings

7" (1969)

1. "Melting Pot" (Roger Cook/Roger Greenaway)
2. "Blue Mink" (Alan Parker)

7" (1969)

1. "Melting Pot" (Roger Cook/Roger Greenaway)
2. "But Not Forever"

7" (1975)

1. "Melting Pot"
2. "Gimme Reggae"

When the Cat's Away version

"Melting Pot"
Single by When the Cat's Away
from the album When the Cat's Away
B-side	"Fire"
Format	7"
Recorded	1988
Genre	Pop
Length	3:56
Label	CBS
When the Cat's Away singles chronology
"Sanctified" 1987 "Melting Pot" 1988 "Free Ride" 1990

In 1988 "Melting Pot" was covered by New Zealand female vocal group and covers band When the Cat's Away.

Their version peaked at number one in the New Zealand charts, and charted for 15 weeks.^[5] The single was certified gold.^[6]

Music video

The group released a low-budget, self-produced music video, directed by photographer Kerry Brown. The video features the group performing with a band in a white room, footage of people of different ethnic groups around Auckland, and cats.^[7]

Track listings

7"

1. "Melting Pot" (Roger Cook/Roger Greenaway)
2. "Fire" (Bruce Springsteen)

Charts

"Melting Pot" peaked at number one in December 1988 and charted through to early 1989.^[8] It was one of three songs by New Zealand artists to reach number one in 1988.

Chart (1988)	Peak position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[9]	1

Other versions

• Mickey Murray covered the song and released it as a single on King Records in the USA in 1970.
• Tony Kingston also covered "Melting Pot" in 1972.
• English pop group Culture Club played a live version of "Melting Pot" in 1983. The live song was made available on the 2003 digital remaster of their 1983 album Colour By Numbers.^[10]
• Boyzone recorded a version on their 1996 album A Different Beat, which also featured the vocals of Madeline Bell.

References

1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 66. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
2. "Artist Biography by Dave Thompson". All Music. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
3. "Blue Mink – Melting Pot". Discogs. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
4. "Blue Mink – Melting Pot". Discogs. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
5. "WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY - MELTING POT (SONG)". Charts.org.nz. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
6. "When The Cat's Away". Muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
7. "Melting Pot". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
8. "WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY - MELTING POT (SONG)". Charts.org.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
9. "Charts.org.nz – When the Cat's Away – Melting Pot". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
10. "Colour By Numbers". iTunes. Retrieved 5 October 2013.

External links

• Blue Mink television performance on YouTube
• When the Cat's Away music video
• Culture Club live performance on YouTube
• Proposed New Zealand flag based on song