For Melissa Etheridge, songwriting has always been a deeply personal act, a way to share the raw truths of her life with the world.
“Songwriters write what they know, right? What they feel, what they think, what they’re afraid of, and what they desire,” Etheridge said during a recent call, taking a quick break from tour life and traveling Europe. “That’s always been my job as a songwriter, to dig deep and get into those spaces.”
This approach to songwriting—rooted in vulnerability and honesty—has been a defining element of Etheridge’s career, helping her connect with audiences from the very beginning. Since her debut in 1988, Etheridge has built a loyal fan base with music that goes beyond reflecting on her own life—it offers listeners a chance to connect with their own.
Whether through the fierce independence of “I’m the Only One” or the longing intensity of “Come to My Window,” Etheridge’s songs are revealing in a way that has resonated with generations of fans. It’s that same commitment to unfiltered storytelling that continues to guide her as she prepares to take the stage once again in Southern California.
Now, more than ever, Etheridge is embracing the art of storytelling—not just through the songs fans know and love, but through the ongoing journey of her life.
“It’s one of those things that you want to grow from, you know? The writing that comes from it is a chance for me to say, ‘Yes, this happened, but I can learn from it, I can grow from it,’” she said. Every note she sings carries the weight of experience, from the joy of new beginnings to the pain of deep loss.
As she gears up for her upcoming show at Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa on Aug. 9, the songs she performs will be reflections of both the road she’s traveled and the road ahead.
Etheridge’s rise to fame in the late ’80s was a testament to her raw candor. With her self-titled debut album, she introduced herself as an artist unafraid to put her heart on display. Her breakout hits, “Bring Me Some Water” and “Ain’t It Heavy,” resonated with audiences seeking music that wasn’t only catchy but also authentic.
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From there, Etheridge built a career based on fearless exploration of both personal and universal themes—heartbreak, love, identity, and resilience. With 1993’s Yes I Am, which featured “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” still hits to this day, she solidified her place as a leading voice in rock music. Her ability to connect with listeners on such a profound level was further solidified when she won a Grammy and took home an Academy Award in 2007 for her song “I Need to Wake Up,” featured in the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” which called attention to the environmental crisis of climate change.
But beyond accolades and chart-topping success, what has kept Melissa going for decades is her relentless commitment to writing what she knows and feels—a confessional approach that only deepens with time.
“I lost my son, so I gotta write from that. It’s a place where I can write and release, and also get comfort,” she said.
Etheridge’s son, Beckett, passed away in 2020 at the age of 21 from causes related to opioid addiction, and in her grief, she knew she had to take action. She subsequently founded the Etheridge Foundation, a nonprofit that advocates for and supports scientific research into plant medicine and psychedelic treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD).
This painful chapter in her life has become part of the fabric of her music, giving her songs an emotional depth that reaches new heights. “The Shadow of a Black Crow,” which was written during her son’s childhood, was later included on her live album, “I’m Not Broken (Live From Topeka Correctional Facility),” as a tribute.
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But even as she writes and performs through the pain, Etheridge’s music is also a reflection of her joy and resilience. “I’m so happily married, and I have a gorgeous family and friends,” she said. “I write from that point too.”
Over the years, Etheridge has experienced both personal and professional triumphs and heartbreaks. The loss of Beckett remains one of the most significant turning points in her life, shaping both her music and her outlook. While the grief has been all-encompassing, it’s also informed some of her most powerful songwriting.
And despite her incredible success in the studio, it’s the live stage where Etheridge’s passion truly shines. “When I was younger, my dream was to have a crowd of people knowing my songs. Now, every night, I get that over and over, and it’s so fun,” she said.
That sense of connection was felt most strongly when she performed at Stagecoach in 2023; the crowd she shared was one for the books, considering the country community welcomed her with open arms.
“It was packed all the way outside. As far as I could see, there were people,” she recalled. “Even though it was 100 degrees, it was really, really fun. It does my heart good to see people who might not have bought a ticket just to see me. We got to experience it together, and hopefully, they’ll want to come back.”
Her excitement about her upcoming Southern California shows reflects that same enthusiasm. “Every night is a different show. You’ll hear the songs you love, but I’m always challenging myself, and it’s going to be rocking.”
In 2022, Etheridge took her emotional journey to Broadway with her one-woman show. The production allowed her to process both the joy and the pain in her life, particularly her grief. For Etheridge, the Broadway show was an opportunity to tell her story on her own terms, in a way that was both personal and uplifting for the audience.
“It was healing for me,” she said. “Every night, I told myself, ‘I’m strong. I deserve happiness. My son would want me to be happy.’”
Working alongside her wife, the experience became not just a professional milestone, but a personal moment of reconciliation and growth. “It was incredible, and we healed together,” Etheridge said.
Though she’s been performing for decades, Etheridge’s creative spark shows no signs of dimming. “I hadn’t been in the studio since 2016 or 2017, so it was really nice to get back and do that. It’s been almost 10 years,” she said of her upcoming album, due next year. Working with Shooter Jennings, the album captures the live energy of Etheridge’s band while introducing new material that she’s excited to share.
“I’m really excited about it, and I can’t wait for people to hear it,” she added.
Whether through her powerful ballads, candid songwriting, or live performances, Etheridge uses music as a way to process, heal, and connect with others.
And when asked what advice she would give her younger self, Etheridge’s response is a reflection of everything she’s learned along the way: “I would say, ‘Don’t stress. It’s going to be more magnificent and amazing than you can ever imagine.’ And I would say, ‘Do more sit-ups.’”