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.
Getaway Machine
Melissa Etheridge Lyrics
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And I'm all out of time
And if I, if I don't get to moving
I'll be out of my mind
I left someone behind me
There's no turning back
I know someday they'll find me
But now I'm not leaving any tracks
Cause I'm one step ahead of my past
Two steps behind my dream
I'm looking for something that'll last
But until I find it, until I find it
I'll keep on riding in my getaway machine
I am nobody's soldier
And I'm nobody's stone
And I'll be damned if I'm anybody's ticket
No hardly, I'd rather do it alone
So if you wake to find me gone
Don't bother wondering why
I've got to be moving on
I've got to find my piece of the sky
Cause I'm one step ahead of my past
Two steps behind my dream
I'm looking for something that'll last
But until I find it, until I find it
I'll keep on riding in my getaway machine
Oh getaway yeah
Way yeah
Melissa Etheridge's song "Getaway Machine" is about a person who feels trapped and stuck in their life. They've run out of excuses and time to stay in their current situation, and if they don't make a move soon, they'll go out of their mind. The song talks about leaving someone behind but not turning back, knowing that someday they will be found, but currently, they are not leaving any tracks. The lyrics suggest that this person is running away from something, but they don't exactly know what they are searching for, only looking for something that will last.
The verse "I'm one step ahead of my past, Two steps behind my dream," sums up the song's message. The person is always trying to outrun their past and move towards their dreams but can't seem to catch up to them. The last line, "I'll keep on riding in my getaway machine," confirms that this person will continue to run away, escape, and avoid facing their problems until they find what they are looking for. This song highlights the internal conflict and struggle that many people face when they feel stuck — the desire to leave, the fear of abandoning what they know, and the hope of finding something better.
Line by Line Meaning
I am all out of excuses
I can't make any more excuses for my actions or inactions.
And I'm all out of time
Time is running out for me.
And if I, if I don't get to moving
If I don't take action soon...
I'll be out of my mind
...I'll go crazy.
I left someone behind me
I've left someone or something that was a part of my past.
There's no turning back
I can't go back to my past or change what I've left behind.
I know someday they'll find me
I can't hide from my past forever.
But now I'm not leaving any tracks
I'm trying to make a fresh start and not leave any evidence or clues behind.
Cause I'm one step ahead of my past
I'm always trying to move on from my past.
Two steps behind my dream
But I'm still far from achieving my dreams.
I'm looking for something that'll last
I'm searching for something that will bring me long-lasting happiness.
But until I find it, until I find it
But until I find what I'm looking for...
I'll keep on riding in my getaway machine
...I'll keep moving forward in my life while trying to escape my past.
I am nobody's soldier
I don't belong to anyone else and I don't take orders from others.
And I'm nobody's stone
I won't let anyone break me or turn me into something hard and unfeeling.
And I'll be damned if I'm anybody's ticket
I won't be someone else's ticket to success or happiness.
No hardly, I'd rather do it alone
In fact, I'd rather do things on my own.
So if you wake to find me gone
If you realize I've left you...
Don't bother wondering why
...don't waste your time trying to figure out my motives.
I've got to be moving on
I have to keep moving forward with my life.
I've got to find my piece of the sky
I have to find my own place in this world.
Oh getaway yeah
Oh, my escape from my past is happening.
Way yeah
Yeah, I'm determined to continue moving forward.
Contributed by Aubrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Laura Geralyn Kline
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Michelle
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