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.
You Can't Always Get What You Want
Melissa Etheridge Lyrics
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A glass of wine was in her hand
She was waiting to make her connection
At her feet was a footloose man
And I said
You can't always get what you want
Yes I know, you can't always get what you want
But if you try sometime you just might find
You get what you need
You get what you need
Well I went down to the Chelsea Drugstore
To get my, my prescription filled
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
And I said well the guy did look pretty ill
We decided, we decided to get a soda
I tell you my favorite flavor cherry red
I turned to look, Mr. Jimmy, he said one thing
He said one thing and that was this
He said girl
You know you can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometime you just might find
You get what you need
You get what you need
I think I need a change of scene
Cause every night I have the strangest dream
An illusion 'bout the way it could've been
Left here alone so it seems, it seems like I've got to leave
Before I start to scream
Cause you know it feels like somebody's locked the door and stole the key
Well are you feeling alright?
Oh girl I'm not feeling too good myself
No oh oh tell me woman
Are you feeling alright now?
Cause you see, you see me I'm not feeling too good myself
No no no no and I'll tell you why
Cause I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
You know she's practiced at the art of deception
I can tell by her blood-stained hands
I said
You can't always get what you want
Oh no you can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
Listen to me
But if you try sometime sometime you just might find
You get what you need yeah
I'm getting I'm getting what I need
Everytime
Oh you get what you need
The song "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by Melissa Etheridge is a cover of The Rolling Stones' classic hit. The lyrics tell a story of a man who encounters a woman at a reception, and in their conversation, they both use the phrase, "you can't always get what you want." The man advises the woman that sometimes, trying harder can lead to getting the things they need, not just want. In the second verse, the singer goes to a drugstore and meets a man who reiterates the same sentiment, telling the singer that he "gets what [he] needs" every time. The final verse expresses a desire for change and a departure from an unsatisfying situation and concludes with the repetition of the refrain that "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need."
The song's lyrics offer advice that applies to most aspects of life, not just love and relationships. Trying to achieve one's goals, even in the face of disappointment and adversity, can lead to personal growth and eventual satisfaction. The repeated refrain emphasizes the idea that getting what you need might be more important than getting what you want, as we often confuse the two. The song's message is ultimately optimistic and encourages perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw her today at the reception
The singer encountered a woman at an event
A glass of wine was in her hand
The woman was holding a drink
She was waiting to make her connection
The woman was waiting to talk to someone, likely important
At her feet was a footloose man
There was a carefree man by the woman's feet
You can't always get what you want
The singer suggests that things don't always go as planned
Yes I know, you can't always get what you want
The singer acknowledges that the woman may also understand this
I tell you something you can't always get what you want
The singer reiterates that the woman may not always get what she wants
But if you try sometime you just might find
Sometimes it's worth trying to achieve what you want
You get what you need
Sometimes what you actually need is what you end up getting
Well I went down to the Chelsea Drugstore
The singer went to a pharmacy/store
To get my, my prescription filled
The singer had a prescription to pick up
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
The singer was in line with someone named Mr. Jimmy
And I said well the guy did look pretty ill
The singer observed that Mr. Jimmy appeared sick
We decided, we decided to get a soda
The singer and Mr. Jimmy chose to get a drink
I tell you my favorite flavor cherry red
The singer's preferred drink flavor is cherry red
He said girl
Mr. Jimmy addressed the singer as 'girl'
You know you can't always get what you want
Mr. Jimmy echoes the song's refrain that things don't always go as planned
I think I need a change of scene
The singer is considering making a change
Cause every night I have the strangest dream
The singer has been having strange dreams every night
An illusion 'bout the way it could've been
The dreams involve an alternate reality that never happened
Left here alone so it seems, it seems like I've got to leave
The singer feels isolated and decides to leave
Before I start to scream
The singer wants to avoid losing control emotionally
Cause you know it feels like somebody's locked the door and stole the key
The singer feels trapped and unable to escape their current circumstances
Well are you feeling alright?
The singer asks the woman how she is feeling
Oh girl I'm not feeling too good myself
The woman responds that she is not feeling well
Cause I saw her today at the reception
The song returns to the initial encounter with the woman
In her glass was a bleeding man
The woman's drink has blood in it, indicating she may be up to no good
You know she's practiced at the art of deception
The singer realizes that the woman is skilled at manipulating situations
I'm getting I'm getting what I need
The singer concludes that they are now getting what they actually need
Everytime
This happens consistently
Oh you get what you need
The song repeats the message that sometimes getting what you want is not as important as getting what you need
Contributed by William H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.