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.

Chuckie's in Love
Melissa Etheridge Lyrics

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I have climbed the highest mountain
I have sailed across the sea
I have wrestled with my demons
And woke up with only me
I have been around the block
Three times maybe four
And I think I deserve just a little more

In front of total strangers won't you kiss me
Flowers for no reason but you miss me
Oh I want to be in love
You're standing on the doorstep in the rain
Cause you couldn't wait to see me once again
Oh I want to be in love

I have made some big mistakes
And I've paid a heavy price
I found a little peace between will and sacrifice
I have watched as all my dreams
Went walking out the door
And I think I deserve just a little more

I'm looking for a heart of gold
I'm looking for a hand to hold
A happy end
Strong and kind
Somewhere to rest my troubled mind

In front of total strangers won't you kiss me
Flowers for no reason but you miss me
Oh I want to be in love
On Tuesday light the candles bring me wine
Wednesday morning I won't get to work on time
Oh I want to be in love
Surprise me as I'm stepping off the plane

Take my hand as they play our song again
Oh I want to be in love

Overall Meaning

The song “I Want to Be In Love” by Melissa Etheridge is a powerful anthem about searching for love after going through various struggles in life. The opening lyrics, “I have climbed the highest mountain, I have sailed across the sea, I have wrestled with my demons and woke up with only me,” suggest that the singer has been through a lot of hardships in life and is now ready to find love. The next verse talks about having been “around the block three times maybe four” and wanting more from life. This is indicative of someone who has lived life to the fullest and is now looking for something more meaningful.

The chorus presents a clear picture of what the singer wants in a relationship. She wants someone who will kiss her in front of total strangers, bring her flowers for no reason, and be so eager to see her that he will stand on her doorstep in the rain. These are all vivid images that suggest the passion and intensity that the singer is looking for in a relationship.

The second verse talks about the mistakes that the singer has made in the past and the heavy price that she has paid. She has found a little peace between will and sacrifice, but all her dreams have walked out the door. Despite this, she is still searching for that heart of gold and a hand to hold. The last two lines of the verse suggest a desire for a happy ending and someone who is strong and kind, which is another indication of the depth of the singer’s search for love.

Overall, “I Want to Be In Love” is a song that captures the intensity and passion of someone who has gone through a lot in life and is now ready to find someone to share it with. It’s a powerful anthem about the search for love and the depth of emotion that comes with it.

Line by Line Meaning

I have climbed the highest mountain
I have faced great challenges and overcome them.

I have sailed across the sea
I have experienced adventure and unfamiliar territory.

I have wrestled with my demons
I have struggled with personal issues and inner demons.

And woke up with only me
I have come to the realization that at the end of the day, I am the only one who can truly rely on myself.

I have been around the block
I have been through a lot of experiences and gained wisdom from them.

Three times maybe four
I have been through a significant number of experiences that have shaped me.

And I think I deserve just a little more
I believe I am worthy of more than what I have experienced so far.

In front of total strangers won't you kiss me
I desire passionate love that is not afraid of public display.

Flowers for no reason but you miss me
I desire a partner who is considerate, thoughtful, and misses me when we're apart.

Oh I want to be in love
I long for the emotional connection and fulfillment that comes with being in love.

You're standing on the doorstep in the rain
I desire a partner who is romantic and won't let a little rain stop them from seeing me.

Cause you couldn't wait to see me once again
I desire a partner who is eager to spend time with me and can't wait to be reunited.

I have made some big mistakes
I have learned from my past mistakes and grown as a person.

And I've paid a heavy price
I have suffered the consequences of my mistakes and have been humbled by them.

I found a little peace between will and sacrifice
I have learned to balance my desires with the sacrifices required to achieve them.

I have watched as all my dreams
I have faced disappointment and setbacks in pursuit of my dreams.

Went walking out the door
My dreams have slipped away despite my efforts.

And I think I deserve just a little more
Despite my setbacks, I still believe I am worthy of happiness and fulfillment.

I'm looking for a heart of gold
I desire a partner who is genuine and kind-hearted.

I'm looking for a hand to hold
I desire emotional support and companionship.

A happy end
I desire a fulfilling and satisfying conclusion to my search for love.

Strong and kind
I desire a partner who is both strong and compassionate.

Somewhere to rest my troubled mind
I desire a loving relationship that brings me peace and clarity.

On Tuesday light the candles bring me wine
I desire romance and intimacy in my relationship, even on ordinary days.

Wednesday morning I won't get to work on time
I desire a partner who is worth getting caught up in the moment with, even if it makes me a little late for work.

Surprise me as I'm stepping off the plane
I desire spontaneous romantic gestures that show me I am loved and appreciated.

Take my hand as they play our song again
I desire a deep emotional connection with my partner and a song that symbolizes it.

Oh I want to be in love
Overall, I long for the deep emotional connection, romance, and fulfillment that comes with being in love.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MELISSA ETHERIDGE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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