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 and I Know
Melissa Etheridge Lyrics
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Your silent footsteps on the floor
Could you be believing the harsh words and the cries?
All the weapons from the night before
Oh no, no, oh no
I think I know you
The crushing of all our years
Instantly, I find my mind
In the morning after light, it's so clear
I know you
Baby, I know you
Oh, I know you
Baby, I know you
Last night, the lightning in your eyes
Flashes of anger, we disagree
I know the heat when our thoughts and our fears collide
Comes from the same fire when you are underneath me, yeah
I know you
Come on, lover, look me in the eyes
You know I'd never do you no harm
Don't let the fear drag you down
Come closer now, honey
Let me keep you warm, let me keep you warm
'Cause I know you
Baby, I know you
'Cause I know you so well
I know you
Baby, I know you
Yes, I know you so well
Oh, we will forget everything that we whispered
We will forget everything that we screamed
Come closer now, closer now
We'll go back, it's gone like a bad dream
Oh, I know you
Baby, I know you
Baby, I know you so well
Baby, I know you
Baby, I know you
I know you so well
In Melissa Etheridge's song How Would I Know, the singer is trying to understand the feelings and thoughts of someone close to her who seems to be going through a difficult time. The song is essentially an expression of concern and confusion on the part of the singer, who is trying to figure out if the person she cares about is okay or if they are in danger of slipping away from her.
The lyrics suggest that the person is feeling disconnected from their own identity when they say "you don't feel like yourself," and the singer is unsure if this means that the person is becoming someone else entirely. The line "you don't know what you're doing here" further emphasizes this sense of disorientation and lack of connection. The singer is left questioning how she can support the person if she doesn't know what's going on in their head, hence the repetition of the phrase "how would I know" throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you don't feel like yourself
You are expressing that you feeling out of place or disconnected.
Does that mean you're somebody else
Is it possible that you have changed, or that something is different about you?
How would I know
I don't have enough information to understand what you're going through.
Oh you say you just don't feel quite right today
Today is not your day, something is bothering you.
Does that mean that you're slipping away
Is it possible that you're distancing yourself from me?
How would I know
I am not aware of the reasons behind your current behavior.
You might believe there's a paradise
Maybe you have hopes for something amazing to happen.
In the next hello
The next opportunity to connect with someone or something.
How would I know
I cannot differentiate between your desires and worries, so I am confused.
If you don't tell me so
I need you to communicate with me in order to understand your needs and desires.
If you wanted to go
If you ever felt like leaving or running away,
How would I know
I would not have the ability to anticipate or prevent it.
You say you don't know what you're doing here
You are questioning your purpose or reasons for being here.
Does that mean you might disappear
Is it possible that you will vanish or become distant?
How would I know
I am not capable of predicting or understanding your actions and decisions.
You might feel that there's something real
You may have a deep feeling that there is something genuine and important up ahead.
In the next hello
This could happen in your next interaction or connection with someone or something.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Melissa Etheridge
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind