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.
Total Control
Melissa Etheridge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knowing what could happen
In a moment
Maybe you, maybe even you
Steadfast
Cool blast
Always so anymore
Maybe even you, maybe even you
Concrete
Too sweet
I can't do it
Not with you, not even with you
Baby, never with you
Oh I'd sell my soul for total control
Oh I'd sell my soul for total control
Sweet way tonight
Lovers touch
Pure delight
Always certain any moment
Maybe even you
Stay in bed
Stained sheets
My head hurts
I repeat
Maybe you, maybe you
Maybe even you
Oh I'd sell my soul for total control
Oh I'd sell my soul for total control
Oh I'd sell my soul for total control
Over you, over you
I'd sell my soul for control
Over you, over you, over you
The lyrics of Melissa Etheridge's song "Total Control" express a sense of desperation and the desire for complete power and domination in a relationship. The singer is looking back on their past experiences, knowing that any moment anything could have happened. They sing of their own steadfastness and coolness, but in spite of this, they still long for total control, even over people they care about.
The singer talks about feeling trapped by the relationship and unable to continue with it. They describe the relationship as concrete, too sweet, and something they cannot do, even with the person they are singing to. The repetition of "maybe you, maybe even you" emphasizes their confusion and uncertainty, but this is contrasted with their desire for control and power.
Throughout the lyrics, it is clear that the singer is conflicted about their feelings. They describe moments of pure delight and lovers' touch, but it is always tinged with the need for control and dominance. The repetition of "over you, over you" at the end of the song further emphasizes their need for control.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking counterclockwise
Reflecting on past experiences
Knowing what could happen
Awareness of potential consequences
In a moment
In a split second
Maybe you, maybe even you
Possible involvement of specific people
Steadfast
Resolute and unwavering
Cool blast
Emotional detachment
Always so anymore
Now consistently
Maybe even you, maybe even you
Possible involvement of specific people
Re...???...
Unknown thought or action
Concrete
Tangible and real
Too sweet
Overly pleasant
I can't do it
Inability to cope with situation
Not with you, not even with you
Complete avoidance of specific people
Baby, never with you
Permanently off-limits. Will never happen.
Oh I'd sell my soul for total control
Desire to have complete power and authority
Sweet way tonight
Pleasing encounter
Lovers touch
Intimate physical contact
Pure delight
Absolute pleasure
Always certain any moment
Confidence about the future despite uncertainty
Maybe even you
Possible involvement of specific person
Stay in bed
Choosing to remain sedentary
Stained sheets
Remnants of previous activity
My head hurts
Physical pain
I repeat
Saying again
Maybe you, maybe you
Possible involvement of specific people
Over you, over you
Complete control over specific people
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.