# Melanie -- Please buy one what?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melanie-please-buy-one-what/455686>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 8, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melanie-please-buy-one-what/455686 "2008-07-08T14:21:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melanie-please-buy-one-what/455686/1 "2008-07-08T14:21:49Z")

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The recent thread on [roller skate keys](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=471108) has me pondering the music of Melanie. Melanie is a Libertarian, so I know she’s cool! 🆒

But when she sings in [Peace Will Come (According to Plan)](http://www.asklyrics.com/display/Melanie/Peace_Will_Come_Lyrics/310586.htm),

> [@](#):
>
> There’s a chance, in your life  
> Peace will come, please buy one.

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Please buy one _what_?

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**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melanie-please-buy-one-what/455686/2 "2008-07-08T14:24:37Z")

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A roller skate key?

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**Author:** ![CateAyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@CateAyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CateAyo)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melanie-please-buy-one-what/455686/3 "2008-07-08T14:34:23Z")

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I always heard “peace by One”. A search of lyrics archives online shows “please buy one” just as you say. How weird.

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**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melanie-please-buy-one-what/455686/4 "2008-07-08T14:36:17Z")

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I think she’s just a lousy poet. I believe she’s saying “buy” a “chance for peace,” (i.e. _take_ a chance), but (if those lyrics are any indication) she’s a dreadfully amateurish and pretentious poet and chose a bad word.

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**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melanie-please-buy-one-what/455686/5 "2008-07-08T14:49:27Z")

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I’m sure DtC got it- Buy a chance for peace.