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.
Please Forgive Me
Melissa Etheridge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So long since I wanted
Then you made me laugh
And my heart opened
I want you to find me charming and wise
I just want you to find me
Somewhere here inside
We've been sort of friends
So what if I called you and called you again
What would I tell you
Where would I begin
Please forgive me
If I don't know what to do
It's an old fire
This familiar desire
But my skin is painfully new
There's a light in my window
It shines all night long
In the morning my coffee
Is sweet but it's strong
I carefully reach out from behind these walls
I'll take a deep breath and give you a call
Hello how are you
Not much at all
Lost in this hole
That has ripped through my soul
I unlock this secret inside
What should I think
I've had too much to drink
As my mind and my body collide
In Please Forgive Me, Melissa Etheridge sings about longing for someone’s attention and affection after a long time of feeling nothing. The song portrays a sense of vulnerability and desire to be noticed and loved by someone. The lyrics express the desire to be seen as charming and wise by someone, wanting to be acknowledged for the qualities one possesses. The song also sheds light on the confusion that comes with attraction towards someone you barely know and struggling to find the right words to express the feelings without sounding too desperate.
The chorus, “Please forgive me, If I don't know what to do, It's an old fire, This familiar desire, But my skin is painfully new”, expresses the feeling of helplessness and nostalgia the singer is experiencing. The old fire and familiar desire indicate that the singer has been in this situation before, but the skin being painfully new suggests that it has been a long time since the last time the singer felt this way, and it's hurting.
The second verse of the song highlights the singer's willingness to take a step forward and call the person of interest, but the singer acknowledges that she barely knows the person and is unsure where to begin or what to say. Towards the end, the song's lyrics become more emotional, with the singer acknowledging the emptiness that comes with unrequited love, feeling lost, and the conflict between her body and mind.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been so long since I've touched
It's been a long time since I've experienced physical touch
So long since I wanted
It's been a while since I've felt desired
Then you made me laugh
Your humor made me feel good and happy
And my heart opened
Your humor made me feel vulnerable and open to the possibility of love
I want you to find me charming and wise
I desire for you to see me as smart and delightful
I just want you to find me
I just want you to notice me and see me for who I am
Somewhere here inside
I want you to see the real me, hidden beneath the surface
I barely know you
I don't really know you yet
We've been sort of friends
We've been acquaintances, but not close friends
So what if I called you and called you again
I am considering calling you repeatedly
What would I tell you
I don't know what I would say to you
Where would I begin
I don't know where to start the conversation
Please forgive me
I ask for your forgiveness
If I don't know what to do
I am uncertain of what to do in this situation
It's an old fire
This feeling of desire is not new to me
This familiar desire
I have felt this way before
But my skin is painfully new
Even though I've felt this way before, it still feels new and fresh
There's a light in my window
I am waiting for you to come to me
It shines all night long
I am always thinking of you
In the morning my coffee
I try to start my day without you
Is sweet but it's strong
My coffee is like my feelings for you - sweet but intense
I carefully reach out from behind these walls
I am trying to break down the barriers that keep us apart
I'll take a deep breath and give you a call
I am going to call you and tell you how I feel
Hello how are you
I am greeting you, hoping to start a conversation
Not much at all
You don't say much in response, leaving me unsure of where to go from here
Lost in this hole
I am deep in my feelings for you
That has ripped through my soul
It feels like you have affected me on a deep level
I unlock this secret inside
I am sharing my feelings with you
What should I think
I am unsure of how to feel about this situation
I've had too much to drink
I am intoxicated and not thinking clearly
As my mind and my body collide
My emotional and physical desires are in conflict
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MELISSA ETHERIDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@momsings4u
I lost my wife 16 years ago and my son 15 years ago. I just starting to feel a. your song plese forgive me helped me so much. I hope someday to love again
@traekas7228
Christine McSpedon She’s amazingly speaking with my heart and my soul. I’m so sorry for your Loss, Christine. This album came along right around the time my ex Domestic Partner and I broke up after 16 years. And when I had just started dating my next LTR. And she and I split up after about 8 years, about 10 years ago. I listen to this particular song whenever I’m feeling down. Love isn’t impossible for those who still want it in their lives. But, just like everything else in life, you gotta do the footwork. I hope that you’re being safe and still healthy.
@Scampergirl
@Arian Madden Creeper....
@jonathanroberts716
You will. :)
@paulajones9114
God bless you.
@konstantinp1
Бог да Ви пази!
@kingklk
This will never not be beautiful. Songs are timeless when they speak from the heart…..this will go on……forever……..thank you, Melissa…..for speaking our hearts for so many years…for all time….🙏💙
@joebo73
I lost my husband of 41 years, 9 years ago. I will never forget him. But I found love again with a wonderful man. I know my husband would want this for me.
@bobbiadams7322
I'm so here right now... which is why I came to feel the power of this song ....
I'm thankful he made me laugh !!
My ❤ opened!
@thomasserena6580
Absolutely love this woman! Totally classy and amazing talent. Melissa has song's that speak to me and address my situations. For that, I can't even begin to thank her