Melissa Etheridge: A Retrospective (1988-2026)

Melissa Etheridge A Retrospective: 1988-2026

Overview: Melissa Etheridge is a rock singer/songwriter and guitarist who was born on May 29, 1961, in Leavenworth, Kansas. Links DMDB encyclopedia entry for Melissa Etheridge MelissaEtheridge.com (official site) Facebook Wikipedia

Awards

Studio Albums <

Compilations RL The Road Less Traveled (1988-2005, released 2005) Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to charts.

Melissa Etheridge Melissa Etheridge

Released: May 2, 1988 Peak: 22 US, -- UK, -- CN, 3 AU, 16 DF Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 2.94 worldwide (includes US) Genre: rock Rating: 3.978 out of 5.00 (average of 26 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Similar Features [4:42] (3/13/88, 94 BB, 6 AR, 93 CN, 34 AU, 6 DF) RL Chrome Plated Heart [3:59] (10/13/88, 22 AR, 9 DF) Like the Way I Do [5:23] (8/3/88, 42 BB, 28 AR, 16 CN, 9 DF) RL Precious Pain [4:15] (31 DF) Don’t You Need [4:59] (12/15/88, 31 DF) The Late September Dogs [6:33] (9 DF) Occasionally [2:36] (1 DF) Watching You [5:33] (31 DF) Bring Me Some Water [3:52] (4/27/88, 10 AR, 100 UK, 34 CN, 9 AU, 1 DF) RL I Want You [4:07] (31 DF) Total Running Time: -- About the Album: Melissa Etheridge’s self-titled debut album established her as a formidable female rocker. Cashbox said “nobody this side of Tina Turner can belt like Melissa Etheridge. Insiders are calling her the next Janis Joplin, and she’s certainly got the whiskey voice, the Texas twang and the hard-luck stories of sexual pain. But she’s also got an identity of her own and a big future.” WK Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Brave and Crazy Melissa Etheridge

Released: September 11, 1989 Peak: 22 US, 63 UK, -- CN, 9 AU, 2 DF Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 1.28 worldwide (includes US) Genre: rock Rating: 3.618 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)

Tracks: No Souvenirs [4:33] (9/9/89, 95 US, 9 AR, 18 MR, 4 CN, 30 AU, 1 DF) RL Brave and Crazy [4:37] (9 DF) You Used to Love to Dance [5:33] The Angels [4:38] (3/3/90, 34 AR, 20 DF) You Can Sleep While I Drive [3:14] (3/31/90, 1 DF) RL Testify [4:28] (39 DF) Let Me Go [3:56] (11/18/89, 27 CN, 70 AU, 31 DF) My Back Door [4:24] Skin Deep [3:10] (38 DF) Royal Station 4/16 [7:08] (12 DF) Total Running Time: -- About the Album: AllMusic.com said “the throaty singer/guitarist/composer is slightly more reflective than on her first release, but no less confident. Nor is she is any less rootsy. Etheridge’s earthiness is a large part of her appeal, and she uses it most advantageously...As introspective as things get on this CD, Etheridge never becomes wimpy or self-pitying. For all its vulnerability, Brave and Crazy is the work of someone who comes across as a survivor.” Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Never Enough Melissa Etheridge

Released: March 17, 1992 Peak: 21 US, 56 UK, -- CN, 8 AU, 12 DF Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Genre: rock Rating: 3.741 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Ain’t It Heavy (3/14/92, 10 AR, 9 CN, 44 AU, 9 DF) RL 2001 (5/26/92, 21 CN, 71 AU, 31 DF) Dance Without Sleeping (9/29/92, 24 AC, 46 CN, 27 DF) Place Your Hand (38 DF) Must Be Crazy for Me (17 DF) Meet Me in the Back (39 DF) The Boy Feels Strange (39 DF) Keep It Precious (39 DF) The Letting Go (1 DF) It’s for You (35 DF) Total Running Time: 45:15 About the Album: Billboard called Etheridge’s third studio album her “most mature effort yet, venturing into new stylistic and lyrical territories.” WK Cashbox said the album “is full of good rock ’n’ roll as well as the funky, danceable ‘2001,’ and the very poignant ‘The Letting Go’ which features Melissa alone, accompanying herself on piano.” WK

Yes I Am Melissa Etheridge

Released: September 21, 1993 Peak: 15 US, -- UK, -- CN, 39 AU, 3 DF Sales (in millions): 6.0 US, 6.2 worldwide (includes US) Genre: rock Rating: 4.078 out of 5.00 (average of 22 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: I’m the Only One (9/18/93, 8 BB, 5 CB, 4 RR, 12 AC, 10 AR, 12 CN, 58 AU, 6 DF) RL If I Wanted To (1/27/95, 16 BB, 9 CB, 6 RR, 17 AC, 19 CN, 47 AU, 14 DF) RL Come to My Window (1/1/94, 25 BB, 15 CB, 10 GR, 15 RR, 4 AC, 22 AR, 13 CN, 11 DF) RL Silent Legacy I Will Never Be the Same (1 DF) All American Girl (4/16/94, 24 AR, 24 CN, 18 DF) Yes I Am (4 DF) Resist (39 DF) Ruins Talking to My Angel (31 DF) Total Running Time: 43:54 About the Album: This was Etheridge’s most successful album, reaching six million in sales and earning her three top-40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Your Little Secret Melissa Etheridge

Released: November 14, 1995 Peak: 6 US, 85 UK, -- CN, 17 AU, 12 DF Sales (in millions): 2.0 US Genre: rock Rating: 3.345 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Your Little Secret (10/2/95, 47 BB, 26 RR, 4 AR, 32 MR, 6 CN, 40 AU, 10 DF) I Really Like You (39 DF) Nowhere to Go (7/26/96, 40 BB, 38 CB, 17 RR, 24 AC, 9 A40, 7 AA, 4 CN, 27 DF) An Unusual Kiss I Want to Come Over (12/30/95, 22 BB, 16 CB, 14 RR, 17 AC, 9 A40, 5 AA, 22 AR, 100 UK, 11 CN, 29 AU, 14 DF) RL All the Way to Heaven (39 DF) I Could Have Been You Shriner’s Park Change This War Is Over (30 DF) Total Running Time: 52:54 About the Album: Following the success of the multi-platinum Yes I Am, Your Little Secret was certified double platinum and reached #6 on the Billboard album chart, Etheridge’s highest chart position to date. Billboard called it a “superbly well-crafted album. Armed with her sharpest material to date, the tightest band with which she's ever recorded, and an in-your-face sound, Etheridge rocks even more passionately than on her previous smash, Yes I Am...A new plateau for an artist who has set the pace for female rockers of her generation.” WK

Breakdown Melissa Etheridge

Released: October 5, 1999 Peak: 12 US, -- UK, -- CN, 15 AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Genre: rock Rating: 3.426 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings)

Tracks: Breakdown (31 DF) Angels Would Fall (8/31/99, 51 BB, 28 RR, 9 A40, 6 CN, 17 DF) RL Stronger Than Me (4/4/20, 38 DF) Into the Dark Enough of Me (1/18/00, 19 A40, 9 AA, 39 DF) Truth of the Heart Mama I’m Strange (34 DF) Scarecrow (1 DF) How Would I Know My Lover Sleep Touch and Go Cherry Avenue Beloved Total Running Time: 53:50 About the Album: Breakdown was Etheridge’s sixth studio album and sixth to achieve gold status. She wouldn’t reach that level again with a studio album. The song “Scarecrow” is dedicated to Matthew Shepard, who was murdered in 1998 because he was gay. It led to a hate crimes law being passed in 2009.

Skin Melissa Etheridge

Released: July 10, 2001 Peak: 9 US, -- UK, -- CN, 30 AU Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock Rating: 3.134 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings)

Tracks: Lover Please (12/15/01, 13 AA) The Prison Walking on Water Down to One Goodnight It’s Only Me I Want to Be in Love (7/14/01, 20 A40, 5 AA, 83 AU, 17 DF) Please Forgive Me The Different Heal Me Total Running Time: 38:40 About the Album: Skin “explores the pain, confusion, grief, and recovery Etheridge went through following her split from Julie Cypher, her companion of 12 years.” WK “I Want to Be in Love,” the lead single, earned a Grammy nominaton for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

Lucky Melissa Etheridge

Released: February 10, 2004 Peak: 15 US, -- UK, -- CN, 91 AU, 12 DF Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock Rating: 3.672 out of 5.00 (average of 25 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Lucky (5/2/04, 17 AA, 18 DF) RL This Moment (6/26/04, 34 A40, 34 DF) if You Want To (39 DF) Breathe (1/3/04, 22 AC, 9 A40, 12 AA, 30 DF) Mercy Secret Agent Will You Still Love Me Meet Me in the Dark (34 DF) Tuesday Morning (1 DF) Giant Come on Out Tonight Kiss Me When You Find the One Total Running Time: 54:03 About the Album: The lead single, “Breathe,” topped the adult alternative chart and garnered Etheridge a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal performance. The album included “Tuesday Morning,” a powerful tribute to Mark Bingham, one of the heroes from United Flight 93 on 9/11. Etheridge was diagnosed with beast cancer soon after the album’s release and had to cancel all album promotions to receive chemotherapy treatments.

The Road Less Traveled Melissa Etheridge

Recorded: 1988-2005 Released: October 18, 2005 Peak: 14 US, -- UK, -- CN, 94 AU, 11 DF Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Genre: rock Rating: 3.937 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: (1) Refugee (2) Similar Features (3) Like the Way I Do (4) Bring Me Some Water (5) You Can Sleep While I Drive (6) No Souvenirs (7) Ain’t It Heavy (8) I’m the Only One (9) Come to My Window (10) If I Wanted To (11) I Want to Come Over (12) Angels Would Fall (13) Lucky (14) Christmas in America (15) Piece of My Heart (16) This is Not Goodbye (17) I Run for Life (18) I Need to Wake Up * * on re-release Total Running Time: 72:16 About the Album: Etheridge’s first greatest-hits compilation featured five new songs, including covers of Tom Petty’s “Refugee” and Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart.” Also new was “Christmas in America,” which would later be featured on A New Thought for Christmas. The collection does offer a nice overview of Etheridge’s career, hitting the definite favorites. The most glaring omission is “Breathe,” which was a #1 hit on adult alternative radio. Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Piece of My Heart (4/2/05, 32 BB, 10 DF) RL I Run for Life (10/22/05, 10 AC, 12 DF) RL I Need to Wake Up (7/11/06, 1 DF) RL Refugee (12 DF) RL This is Not Goodbye RL

The Awakening Melissa Etheridge

Released: September 25, 2007 Peak: 13 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): 0.35 worldwide Genre: rock Rating: 3.160 out of 5.00 (average of 15 ratings)

Tracks: All There Is California (12/11/07, 31 DF) An Unexpected Rain Message to Myself (8/25/07, 25 AC, 16 DF) God Is in the People Map of the Stars Threesome All We Can Really Do I’ve Loved You Before A Simple Love Heroes and Friends Kingdom of Heaven Open Your Mind The Awakening: The Universe Listened The Awakening: Imagine That The Awakening: What Happens Tomorrow Total Running Time: 59:17 About the Album: The Awakening was a reflection on Etheridge’s “autobiographical, religious and political perspectives. Etheridge made the album to convey parts of her story and journey along with her love for God.” WK

A New Thought for Christmas Melissa Etheridge

Released: September 30, 2008 Peak: 113 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock/Christmas Rating: 3.945 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Blue Christmas (20 DF) Glorious Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (17 DF) Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (20 DF) Ring the Bells Merry Christmas Baby (19 DF) Christmas in America RL Light a Light It’s Christmas Time O Night Divine Total Running Time: 44:10 About the Album: Etheridge delivers her first Christmas album. It features covers (“Blue Christmas,” “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” (“have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Merry Christmas Baby”) as well as originals. One of the latter is “Christmas in America,” which was first featured on Etheridge’s 2005 greatest hits compilation The Road Less Traveled.

Fearless Love Melissa Etheridge

Released: April 27, 2010 Peak: 7 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU, 11 DF Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock Rating: 3.168 out of 5.00 (average of 18 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Fearless Love (1/30/10, 18 AC, 23 A40, 10 AA, 22 DF) The Wanting of You (4/13/10, --) Company Miss California Drag Me Away Indiana Nervous Heaven on Earth We Are the Ones Only Love To Be Loved Gently We Row Total Running Time: 56:31 About the Album: Etheridge said this album was “about being fearless. It's about choosing love over fear. It's a way, a philosophy of living life that suits me well.” WK

4th Street Feeling Melissa Etheridge

Released: September 4, 2012 Peak: 18 US, -- UK, -- CN, 78 AU, 13 DF Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock Rating: 3.165 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Kansas City 4th Street Feeling Falling Up (8/7/12, 17 DF) Shout Now The Shadow of a Black Crow Be Real A Disaster Sympathy Enough Rain A Sacred Heart I Can Wait Rock and Roll Me Total Running Time: 45:36 About the Album: Rolling Stone said, “producers Jacquire King and Steve Booker deftly curb her over-the-top tendencies” and “the restraint serves her well. She’s realized that sometimes holding a little back can make what's there hit with all the more force.” AllMusic.com said, the album “is largely a return to form for Etheridge; a record that reaffirms her place as a songwriter and recording artist who is in a class of her own.” WK

This Is M.E. Melissa Etheridge

Released: September 30, 2014 Peak: 21 US, -- UK, -- CN, 34 AU, 12 DF Sales (in millions): 0.05 US Genre: rock Rating: 3.298 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: I Won’t Be Alone Tonight Take My Number (7/1/14, 17 DF) A Little Hard Hearted Do It Again Monster (3/30/15, --) Ain’t That Bad All the Way Home Like a Preacher Stranger Road A Little Bit of Me What Are You Waiting For (1 DF) Total Running Time: 41:11 About the Album: AllMusic.com said, “There’s something appealing in hearing Etheridge try a number of new sounds: not everything fits but the restlessness is admirable.” Rolling Stone said, “As always, her voice can walk a fine line between passionate and histrionic, but when she dials it back on the smoldering ‘Like a Preacher,’ it’s clear that this honeymoon might be the start of a whole new her.” WK

Memphis Rock and Soul Melissa Etheridge

Released: October 7, 2016 Peak: 34 US, -- UK, -- CN, 40 AU, 13 DF Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock/covers Rating: 3.240 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: Memphis Train Respect Yourself (People Stand Up) (12/7/16, 16 DF) Who’s Making Love Hold On, I’m Coming (18 DF) I’ve Been Loving You Too Long to Stop Now Any Other Way I’m a Lover Rock Me Baby I Forgot to Be Your Lover (25 DF) Wait a Minute Born Under a Bad Sign (17 DF) I’ve Got Dreams to Remember Total Running Time: 47:39 About the Album: Etheridge’s first covers album. She tackles some R&B chestnuts from the ‘60s and ‘70s, like the Staple Singers’ “Respect Yourself” and Sam & Dave’s “Hold On, I’m Coming” alongside blues classics like B.B. King’s “Rock Me Baby” and Albert King’s “Born Under a Bad Sign.”

The Medicine Show Melissa Etheridge

Released: April 12, 2019 Peak: 95 US, -- UK, 74 CN, -- AU, 12 DF Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock Rating: 2.931 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: The Medicine Show Wild and Lonely Shaking Woman Like You Faded by Design (2/21/19, 23 DF) I Know You This Human Chain Love Will Live Here Comes the Pain Suede Last Hello Total Running Time: 42:06 About the Album: From Wikipedia.org: “The Medicine Show follows a 2016 collection of soul covers Memphis Rock and Soul that connected with Etheridge’s roots as a music fan. While promoting that release, she became concerned about the political climate of the United States and felt compelled to write new music that reflected the historic times after the 2016 United States presidential election.” WK

One Way Out Melissa Etheridge

Released: September 17, 2021 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock Rating: 2.488 out of 5.00 (average of 15 ratings)

Tracks: One Way Out (5/25/21, 31 DF) As Cool As You Try (8/19/21, --) I’m No Angel Myself For the Last Time (7/9/21, --) Save Myself That Would Be Me Wild Wild Wild You Have No Idea (live) Life Goes On (live) Total Running Time: 33:16 About the Album: This is an archival collection comprised primarily of songs from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Rise Melissa Etheridge

Released: March 27, 2026 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Genre: rock Rating: 2.678 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

Tracks: Bein’ Alive (2/25/2026, --) Matches (12/12/2025, --) Rise Don’t You Want a Woman (10/10/2025, 13 DF) The Other Side of Blue (with Chris Stapleton) (3/26/2026, --) If You Ever Leave Me Davina To Be a Woman Tomboy Call You More Love Total Running Time: 44:06 About the Album: This was Etheridge’s first studio album of new material since 2019’s The Medicine Show. It was a melding of country and rock, as illustrated by her choice of producer (Shooter Jennings, the son of country legend Waylon Jennings) and distribution by Sun Records (the famed birthplace of rock and roll). Songs like “Call You” and “The Other Side of Blue” deal with her grief over her son Beckett’s death in 2020.

Resources/References: Wikipedia page for Melissa Etheridge (see individual album pages for sources on comments on albums) Related DMDB Links: First posted 4/5/2026.