Melissa Lou Etheridge (born May 29, 1961) is an American rock singer-songwr… Read Full Bio ↴Melissa Lou Etheridge (born May 29, 1961) is an American rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. Her self-titled debut album was released in 1988 and become an underground hit. The album peaked at #22 on the Billboard 200, and its lead single, Bring Me Some Water, garnered Etheridge her first Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. In 1993, Etheridge won her first Grammy award for her single, Ain't It Heavy, from her 3rd album Never Enough. Later that year, she released what would become her breakthrough album, Yes I Am. The album featured the mainstream rock hits I'm the Only One (#8) and Come to My Window (#25), the latter which scored Etheridge her second Grammy award. Yes I Am peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200, and spent 138 weeks on the chart, earning a RIAA certification of 6x Platinum, her largest to date.
In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer, and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. At the 2005 Grammy Awards, she made a return to the stage and, although bald from chemotherapy, performed a tribute to Janis Joplin with the song "Piece of My Heart". Etheridge's performance was widely lauded, with India.Arie writing "I Am Not My Hair" about Etheridge. Later that year, Etheridge released her first compilation album, Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled. The album was a huge success, peaking at #14 on the Billboard 200, and going Gold immediately. Her latest release is 4th Street Feeling.
Etheridge is known for her mixture of "confessional lyrics, pop-based folk-rock, and raspy, smoky vocals." She has also been an iconic gay and lesbian activist since her public coming out in January 1993.

Breakdown
Melissa Etheridge Lyrics

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How could I stay
How could I breathe
There had to be more for me
Promises gone
Plastic and stone
I'm doing fine all alone

So you're having a breakdown

So you're losing the fight
So you're having a breakdown
And I'm driving and crying Unraveled and flying
I'm coming to your breakdown tonight

I cannot run
I cannot hide
It came with me locked inside
The bough will break
Cradle will fall It only takes one call

So you're having a breakdown
So you're losing the fight
So you're having a breakdown
And you need me tonight
I found my place in this downtown
Salt air and yellow street lights
So you're having a breakdown
And I'm driving and crying

Unraveled and flying
I'm coming to you're breakdown tonight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Melissa Etheridge's song "Breakdown" express the singer's struggle to stay in a relationship that has lost its promises and become superficial. There is a sense of restlessness as the singer searches for something more meaningful in life. She cannot stay in a situation that does not fulfill her anymore and feels trapped. Although her partner is having a breakdown, she cannot ignore her own needs and wants in life. Thus, she decides to leave as revealed in the line, "I'm doing fine all alone."

The chorus is a powerful declaration of empathy as the singer acknowledges her partner's breakdown and shows up to be there for them. She knows what it is to feel lost and helpless, and she wants to offer comfort to her partner in their time of need. There is a sense of urgency to her actions as she drives to be with her partner while crying and feeling scattered. She has found a sense of belonging in her new surroundings, but she still wants to be there for her partner.

Line by Line Meaning

How could I stay
I couldn't stay where I was anymore

How could I breathe
It was suffocating to be in that place

There had to be more for me
I needed something more fulfilling in my life

Promises gone
The promises that were made to me were broken

Plastic and stone
The environment around me was unfeeling and artificial

I'm doing fine all alone
I'm doing well on my own without the people who let me down

So you're having a breakdown
I see that you're struggling

So you're losing the fight
You feel like you're losing control

And I'm driving and crying Unraveled and flying
I'm emotional and trying to drive to be there for you

I'm coming to your breakdown tonight
I'm coming to be there for you when you're feeling at your worst

I cannot run
I can't escape this feeling that I carry with me