Feature Photo: Andrew Olivo Parodi, GFDL
Melissa Etheridge’s musical journey began in Leavenworth, Kansas, a Midwestern city far removed from the bustling epicenters of the music industry, but rich enough in grit and character to shape an artist with staying power. She studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston but left after three semesters to pursue her own path, relocating to Los Angeles in the early 1980s. There, Etheridge’s relentless drive and powerful voice quickly earned her attention on the club circuit. Her demo caught the ear of Island Records’ Chris Blackwell, who signed her in 1986. Her self-titled debut album followed in 1988, and from that moment, Etheridge was on the map—thanks in part to the raw, impassioned vocals and confessional songwriting on tracks like “Bring Me Some Water,” which earned her the first of many Grammy nominations.
The momentum only intensified with her second album, Brave and Crazy (1989), which solidified her rock credentials. By the time Yes I Am hit in 1993, Etheridge had not only refined her sound but reached the commercial peak of her career. That album spawned the Grammy-winning “Come to My Window,” a career-defining single that blended aching vulnerability with defiant strength. The album also included “I’m the Only One,” another major hit that showcased her ability to translate deeply personal themes into widely relatable anthems. Yes I Am went multi-platinum and made Etheridge a household name. She followed it with Your Little Secret in 1995, which featured the hit “I Want to Come Over,” continuing her streak of chart success.
Over the span of her career, Etheridge has released 17 studio albums. Each project built upon her singular voice—musically and lyrically—with notable entries including Breakdown (1999), Skin (2001), and Lucky (2004). In 2007, she earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “I Need to Wake Up,” written for the documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Etheridge remained prolific throughout the 2010s and into the 2020s, releasing albums like Fearless Love (2010), This Is M.E. (2014), The Medicine Show (2019), and her most recent studio album, One Way Out in 2021, which featured songs originally written in the 1980s and ’90s but recorded with her original band.
Etheridge has racked up an impressive list of accolades: two Grammy Awards from fifteen nominations, an Oscar, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which she received in 2011. In addition to her Grammy for “Come to My Window,” she won Best Female Rock Vocal Performance again in 1995 for “Ain’t It Heavy.” Her impact is not measured just in statues or record sales but in her unwavering authenticity. Etheridge came out publicly as a lesbian in 1993, during a time when few high-profile musicians were doing so. Her openness became a milestone in LGBTQ+ visibility, making her a hero to fans far beyond the confines of rock radio.
Her personal life has also played a prominent role in her public identity. From raising four children—two with former partner Julie Cypher, two with ex-wife Tammy Lynn Michaels—to surviving breast cancer in 2004, Etheridge has never shied away from the realities of her journey. Her performance of Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” at the 2005 Grammy Awards, while bald from chemotherapy, remains one of the most memorable moments in award show history—an unfiltered celebration of life, defiance, and art.
Beyond the stage and studio, Etheridge has made her presence felt in activism, particularly around LGBTQ+ rights, environmental causes, and cannabis advocacy. In fact, she launched Etheridge Botanicals, a line of cannabis products aimed at wellness and healing. She has also authored a memoir and launched her own digital subscription channel, Etheridge TV, which she created during the COVID-19 pandemic to stay connected with fans during lockdowns. The platform allowed her to share live performances and personal insights, further reinforcing her commitment to openness and community.
Melissa Etheridge’s artistry is inseparable from her resilience. She has remained true to herself in every note she’s sung and every battle she’s fought—both on and off the stage. In an industry often defined by reinvention, Etheridge’s power comes not from changing who she is but from never compromising it in the first place.
Complete List Of Melissa Etheridge Songs From A to Z
- 2001 – Never Enough – 1992
- 4th Street Feeling – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- A Better Me – The Medicine Show – 2019
- A Little Bit of Me – This Is M.E. – 2014
- A Little Hard Hearted – This Is M.E. – 2014
- A Disaster – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- A Sacred Heart – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- A Simple Love – The Awakening – 2007
- Ain’t It Heavy – Never Enough – 1992
- Ain’t That Bad – This Is M.E. – 2014
- All American Girl – Yes I Am – 1993
- All The Way Home – This Is M.E. – 2014
- All There Is – The Awakening – 2007
- All We Can Really Do – The Awakening – 2007
- All the Way to Heaven – Your Little Secret – 1995
- An Unexpected Rain – The Awakening – 2007
- An Unusual Kiss – Your Little Secret – 1995
- Angels Would Fall – Breakdown – 1999
- Any Other Way – MEmphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- Apartment #9 – Tammy Wynette Remembered – 1998
- As Cool as You Try – One Way Out – 2021
- Away – Fearless Love – 2010
- Be My Baby – The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 1996
- Be Real – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- Beloved – Breakdown – 1999
- Blue Christmas – A New Thought For Christmas – 2008
- Born to Run – The Concert for New York City – 2001
- Born Under a Bad Sign – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- Brave and Crazy – Brave and Crazy – 1989
- Breakdown – Breakdown – 1999
- Breathe – Lucky – 2004
- Bring Me Some Water – Melissa Etheridge – 1988
- Bring Me Some Water (live version) – Grammy’s Greatest Moments Volume IV – 1994
- Burning Love – It’s Now or Never: The Tribute to Elvis – 1994
- California – The Awakening – 2007
- Change – Your Little Secret – 1995
- Change the World – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- Cherry Avenue – Breakdown – 1999
- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – A New Thought For Christmas – 2008
- Christmas in America – A New Thought For Christmas – 2008
- Chrome Plated Heart – Melissa Etheridge – 1988
- Come on Out Tonight – Lucky – 2004
- Come to My Window – Yes I Am – 1993
- Company – Fearless Love – 2010
- Dance Without Sleeping – Never Enough – 1992
- Do It Again – This Is M.E. – 2014
- Don’t Look at Me – Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael – 1990
- Don’t You Need – Melissa Etheridge – 1988
- Down to One – Skin – 2001
- Drag Me Away – Fearless Love – 2010
- Enough Me – Breakdown – 1999
- Enough Rain – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- Faded by Design – The Medicine Show – 2019
- Falling Up – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- Favorite Song – This Is M.E. – 2014
- Fearless Love – Fearless Love – 2010
- Feels Like Home (with Josh Kelley) – Brother Bear 2 – 2006
- For the Last Time – One Way Out – 2021
- Gently We Row – Fearless Love – 2010
- Giant – Lucky – 2004
- Glorious – A New Thought For Christmas – 2008
- God Is in the People – The Awakening – 2007
- Goodnight – Skin – 2001
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – A New Thought For Christmas – 2008
- Heal Me – Skin – 2001
- Heaven on Earth – Fearless Love – 2010
- Here Comes the Pain – The Medicine Show – 2019
- Heroes and Friends – The Awakening – 2007
- Hold On, I’m Coming – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- How Would I Know – Breakdown – 1999
- I Can Wait – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- I Could Have Been You – Your Little Secret – 1995
- I Forgot to Be Your Lover – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- I Know a Place (I’ll Take You There) – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- I Know You – The Medicine Show – 2019
- I Really Like You – Your Little Secret – 1995
- I Take You with Me – Boys on the Side – 1995
- I Want to Be in Love – Skin – 2001
- I Want to Come Over – Your Little Secret – 1995
- I Want You – Melissa Etheridge – 1988
- I Will Never Be the Same – Yes I Am – 1993
- I Won’t Be Alone Tonight – This Is M.E. – 2014
- I’m a Lover – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- I’m No Angel Myself – One Way Out – 2021
- I’m the Only One – Yes I Am – 1993
- I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now) – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- I’ve Got Dreams to Remember – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- I’ve Loved You Before – The Awakening – 2007
- If I Wanted To – Yes I Am – 1993
- If You Want To – Lucky – 2004
- In Roxy’s Eyes (I Will Never Be the Same) – Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael – 1990
- Indiana – Fearless Love – 2010
- Into the Dark – Breakdown – 1999
- It Will Be Me – Brother Bear 2 – 2006
- It’s Christmas Time – A New Thought For Christmas – 2008
- It’s Only Me – Skin – 2001
- It’s for You – Never Enough – 1992
- Just What You Asked For – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- Kansas City – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- Keep It Precious – Never Enough – 1992
- Kingdom of Heaven – The Awakening – 2007
- Kiss Me – Lucky – 2004
- Last Hello – The Medicine Show – 2019
- Leader of the Pack – The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 1996
- Let Me Go – Brave and Crazy – 1989
- Life Goes On (live) – One Way Out – 2021
- Light a Light – A New Thought For Christmas – 2008
- Like a Preacher – This Is M.E. – 2014
- Like the Way I Do – Melissa Etheridge – 1988
- Love Child – The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 1996
- Love Will Live – The Medicine Show – 2019
- Lover Please – Skin – 2001
- Lucky – Lucky – 2004
- Mama I’m Strange – Breakdown – 1999
- Map of the Stars – The Awakening – 2007
- Maybe – The Medicine Show – 2019
- Meet Me in the Back – Never Enough – 1992
- Meet Me in the Dark – Lucky – 2004
- Memphis Train – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- Mercy – Lucky – 2004
- Merry Christmas Baby – A New Thought For Christmas – 2008
- Message to Myself – The Awakening – 2007
- Miss California – Fearless Love – 2010
- Monster – This Is M.E. – 2014
- Must Be Crazy for Me – Never Enough – 1992
- My Back Door – Brave and Crazy – 1989
- My Lover – Breakdown – 1999
- Nervous – Fearless Love – 2010
- No Souvenirs – Brave and Crazy – 1989
- Nowhere to Go – Your Little Secret – 1995
- O Night Divine – A New Thought For Christmas – 2008
- Occasionally – Melissa Etheridge – 1988
- One Way Out – One Way Out – 2021
- Only Love – Fearless Love – 2010
- Open Your Mind – The Awakening – 2007
- Place Your Hand – Never Enough – 1992
- Please Forgive Me – Skin – 2001
- Precious Pain – Melissa Etheridge – 1988
- Resist – Yes I Am – 1993
- Respect Yourself (People Stand Up) – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- Ring the Bells – A New Thought For Christmas – 2008
- Rock Me Baby – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- Rock and Roll Me – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- Royal Station 4/16 – Brave and Crazy – 1989
- Ruins – Yes I Am – 1993
- Saturday Dancing – This Is M.E. – 2014
- Save Myself – One Way Out – 2021
- Scarecrow – Breakdown – 1999
- Secret Agent – Lucky – 2004
- Shaking – The Medicine Show – 2019
- Shout Now – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- Shriner’s Park – Your Little Secret – 1995
- Silent Legacy – Yes I Am – 1993
- Similar Features – Melissa Etheridge – 1988
- Sin tener a donde ir – Red Hot + Latin: Silencio = Muerte – 1997
- Skin Deep – Brave and Crazy – 1989
- Sleep – Breakdown – 1999
- Soul Brothers – This Is M.E. – 2014
- Stranger Road – This Is M.E. – 2014
- Stronger Than Me – Breakdown – 1999
- Suede – The Medicine Show – 2019
- Sympathy – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- Take My Number – This Is M.E. – 2014
- Talking to My Angel – Yes I Am – 1993
- Testify – Brave and Crazy – 1989
- That Would Be Me – One Way Out – 2021
- The Angels – Brave and Crazy – 1989
- The Angels (Earl Scruggs with Melissa Etheridge) – Earl Scruggs and Friends – 2001
- The Awakening: Imagine That – The Awakening – 2007
- The Awakening: The Universe Listened – The Awakening – 2007
- The Awakening: What Happens Tomorrow – The Awakening – 2007
- The Beating of Your Heart – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- The Boy Feels Strange – Never Enough – 1992
- The Different – Skin – 2001
- The Green Grass Grew All Around – For Our Children – The Concert – 1992
- The Heart of a Woman – Fearless Love – 2010
- The Late September Dogs – Melissa Etheridge – 1988
- The Letting Go – Never Enough – 1992
- The Medicine Show – The Medicine Show – 2019
- The Prison – Skin – 2001
- The Shadow of a Black Crow – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- The Wanting of You – Fearless Love – 2010
- The Weakness in Me – Ain’t Nuthin’ but a She Thing – 1995
- These Arms of Mine – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- This Human Chain – The Medicine Show – 2019
- This Moment – Lucky – 2004
- This War Is Over – Your Little Secret – 1995
- This War Is Over – The Devil’s Own – 1997
- Threesome – The Awakening – 2007
- To Be Loved – Fearless Love – 2010
- Touch and Go – Breakdown – 1999
- Tried to Rock and Roll Me (Dolly Parton featuring Melissa Etheridge) – Rockstar – 2023
- Truth of the Heart – Breakdown – 1999
- Tuesday Morning – Lucky – 2004
- Wait a Minute – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- Walking on Water – Skin – 2001
- Watching You – Melissa Etheridge – 1988
- We Are the Ones – Fearless Love – 2010
- Welcome to This Day – Brother Bear 2 – 2006
- Welcome to This Day (Reprise) (with Josh Kelley) – Brother Bear 2 – 2006
- What I Do – This Is M.E. – 2014
- When You Find the One – Lucky – 2004
- Who Are You Waiting For – This Is M.E. – 2014
- Who’s Making Love – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- Wild Wild Wild – One Way Out – 2021
- Wild and Lonely – The Medicine Show – 2019
- Will You Still Love Me – Lucky – 2004
- Woman Like You – The Medicine Show – 2019
- Yes I Am – Yes I Am – 1993
- You Can Sleep While I Drive – Brave and Crazy – 1989
- You Have No Idea (live) – One Way Out – 2021
- You Used to Love to Dance – Brave and Crazy – 1989
- You Will – 4th Street Feeling – 2012
- Your Good Thing (Is About to End) – Memphis Rock and Soul – 2016
- Your Little Secret – Your Little Secret – 1995
Albums
Melissa Etheridge (1988): 10 songs
Brave and Crazy (1989): 10 songs
Never Enough (1992): 10 songs
Yes I Am (1993): 10 songs
Your Little Secret (1995): 10 songs
Breakdown (1999): 14 songs
Skin (2001): 10 songs
Lucky (2004): 13 songs
The Awakening (2007): 16 songs
A New Thought For Christmas (2008): 10 songs
Fearless Love (2010): 14 songs
4th Street Feeling (2012): 16 songs
This Is M.E. (2014): 15 songs
Memphis Rock and Soul (2016): 15 songs
The Medicine Show (2019): 13 songs
One Way Out (2021): 9 songs
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