Melissa Etheridge: Tracing Her Steps
About her album The Awakening Melissa Etheridge states: "This album is my story and my journey. I began to retrace the path of my own American dream: from my early years in California in the '80s, to my dream for fame and fortune and my sad realization of the false images that lead so many of us into misery."We've seen Melissa evolve from a singer whose forte is tortured love songs, to someone who has faced the demons of cancer and found happiness in a woman to share her life with and four beautiful children. More than any other Melissa Etheridge album, The Awakening looks deep inside and even has a spiritual component.
Melissa Etheridge Gets Spiritual
"Message to Myself" is the first single off The Awakening. It's an upbeat pop song with such an uplifting message, you'll wonder, "Is this really Melissa Etheridge?" She sounds too happy.Aside from the message to herself, Melissa has a message for you too. "All there is, is atoms and space. Everything else is illusion." "God is in the people." "All we can really do is love one another." These simple messages are sprinkled throughout the album.
The most hauntingly beautiful song, "I've Loved You Before," is about when you find that one love, your soul mate, one you know you must have traveled throughout time with. Sweet and slow, like her classic, "Sleep While I Drive," no doubt this song will make it's way to many lesbian commitment ceremonies.
Melissa Etheridge Gets Political
Melissa Etheridge is the queen of unrequited love songs. We know from her involvement in the community that she is passionate about some political issues. On The Awakening Melissa finally takes some of those values and puts them into song.In "Imagine That," she takes on the war and speaks of those who are bravely standing up for the truth.
Perhaps the most powerful song on the album is "The Kingdom of Heaven," where she takes on those who invoke the name of God to instill hatred. Gays and lesbians who have been persecuted by their churches will find healing in this song.
The Music is the Message
I love the messages Melissa is putting forth at this time in her life. The songs touched me the way I want music to. But ultimately, it's the song writing, the arrangements, instrumentation and vocals that will determine if an album is a success. Well, Melissa Etheridge has the whole package. She even steps outside her traditional rock sound with a the blusey and sad "An Unexpected Rain," and country twang of "Threesome," which is a rollicking song she wrote after her wife Tammy had a dream about them having a threesome. It's so lesbian!My only disappointment is that Melissa's Oscar winning song, "I Need to Wake Up" is not included.
This is my favorite Melissa Etheridge album in years. Take her advice, sit and just listen. It will do your heart good.
