She received a guitar from her parents for her 14th birthday. Three years later, after sending a demo tape to Hanson and opening for them on tour, had signed a deal with Maverick Records. She subsequently had four top ten hits. The inspiration for writing her own songs can be found by The Beatles and other bands. Songs like "Something To Sleep To" are musically inspired by The Beatles.
She made her debut in 2000 and released the platinum-selling albums The Spirit Room and Hotel Paper in later years.
The Spirit Room was released in 2001. The album, which was produced by John Shanks (Melissa Etheridge, Chris Isaak), was an immediate hit. The Spirit Room sold 2.5 million copies and earned Branch a Grammy and an MTV Viewer’s Choice Award. The album also spawned three top ten hits.
Michelle performed a duet with Carlos Santana on the album Shaman. The single “The Game of Love” became an international hit. On June 23, 2003, Branch released her second album, Hotel Paper.
In 2004 she formed the band The Wreckers with fellow musician Jessica Harp. Their album "Stand Still Look Pretty" was also released on Maverick Records, although the Wreckers' country sound shocked many of Branch's old fans.
Stand Still, Look Pretty spawned four singles, including “Leave the Pieces,” which reached #1 on the U.S. country chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Citing creative differences, the duo have since put the project on hold to work on their own solo projects. Branch's latest album, Everything Comes and Goes, has been released on August 30th 2010, it's a Six Pak mini album containing only 6 songs that she wrote and finished about 2-3 years ago. The first single from the album is “Sooner or Later.”
The Loud Music Songfacts reports that the first single from singer-songwriter Michelle Branch's third studio album, West Coast Time was titled "Loud Music." It finds her singing about a rocker beau and referencing Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. The song was released on June 14, 2011 via her own label, Sticks n' Stones Recordings Ltd.
After a long hiatus, in 2017 she released the album "Hopeless Romantic."
This Way
Michelle Branch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know how long colors were changing to gray
It's kind of funny how I act this way
I don't know you've been holding on
I don't know how long
Everything's been my fault
It's getting easier to take the blame
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can't explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Because you made me this way
I don't know how long I can justify it
I'm tired of making up reasons you're not on my side
And I would never talk to her that way
No I would never talk to her that way
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can't explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Because you made me this way
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can't explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Oh
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can't explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Because you made me this way
I don't know how long it's been going on
" This Way " is a song by Michelle Branch from her album "Hotel Paper." The lyrics of the song hint at the singer's struggle with figuring out if her relationship is falling apart or if it was always this way. The titular phrase "This Way" suggests acceptance that things cannot change and they must embrace the status quo. She sings: "I don't know how long it's been going on / I don't know how long colors were changing to gray / It's kind of funny how I act this way," conveying a sense of realizing her shocking detachment from her relationship.
The song acknowledges that the singer's partner has had to tolerate several of her mistakes, saying "I don't know how long you've been holding on / Everything's been my fault / It's getting easier to take the blame / It's getting easier to try and change." However, the song suggests that the relationship is getting to a breaking point, with the singer struggling to justify why it is happening. She admits that "I'm tired of making up reasons that you're not on my side," implying a feeling of isolation and resentment.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know how long it's been going on
I have lost track of how long this situation has been happening
I don't know how long colors were changing to gray
I didn't realize how dull and lifeless everything has become
It's kind of funny how I act this way
I find it ironic that my behavior has brought us to this point
I don't know you've been holding on
I haven't been aware of the effort you've been making to keep us together
I don't know how long everything's been my fault
I am uncertain of how long I have been responsible for the issues in our relationship
It's getting easier to take the blame
I am becoming more accepting of the guilt that comes with my actions
It's getting easier to try and change
I find it less challenging to attempt to correct my ways
Too many times I have told you that I was okay
I have repeatedly reassured you that everything is fine when it isn't
But I'm finally feeling like I can't explain myself
I am struggling to articulate my emotions
I'm not claiming that I know everything
I am not pretending to have all the answers
No I'm not
I am sincere in my statement
Because you made me this way
Your actions and treatment of me have contributed to my behavior
I don't know how long I can justify it
I am uncertain how much longer I can rationalize my actions
I'm tired of making up reasons you're not on my side
I am exhausted from constantly inventing excuses for why you don't support me
And I would never talk to her that way
I would never treat someone else the same way I have treated you
Oh
An exclamation expressing strong emotion
Contributed by Avery L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
scae beastalisha
I don't know how long it's been going on
I don't know how long colors were changing to gray
It's kinda funny that I act this way
I don't know how long you've been holding on
I don't know how long everything's been my fault
It's getting easier to take the blame
It's getting easier to try and change
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Because you made me this way
I don't know how long I can justify
I'm tired of making up reasons you're not on my side
And I would never talk to her that way
No I would never talk to her that way
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Because you made me this way
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Because you made me this way
You made me this way
I don't know how long it's been going on
Ana Aguilar
"This Way"
I don't know how long it's been going on
I don't know how long colors were changing to gray
It's kinda funny that I act this way
I don't know how long you've been holding on
I don't know how long everything's been my fault
It's getting easier to take the blame
It's getting easier to try and change
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Because you made me this way
I don't know how long I can justify
I'm tired of making up reasons you're not on my side
And I would never talk to her that way
No I would never talk to her that way
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Because you made me this way
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Too many times I have told you
That I was okay
But I'm finally feeling like I can explain myself
I'm not claiming that I know everything
No I'm not
Because you made me this way
You made me this way
I don't know how long it's been going on
Bri A
Love this song and I absolutely love the mandolin edge! Just beautiful, why can't music like this be the mainstream?
Trev Mac
It can't or never will be mainstream,that's because there is nothing pretentious about her or the song.She's not riding around in some Jag with a bikini on and a bunch of jerks with no shirts on jumping into a pool and no one is wearing a sideways baseball cap and on and on and on...But we know she's great as is the song,that's a start
Bri A
Trev Mac True, I know mainstream is nothing compared to her music, but it doesn't hurt to wish that mainstream could accept true art.
tWreCK51
That's not a mandolin - it's a banjo :) Still - great song!
Jordan JoRdAn
Bri heartsmusic it used to be mainstream but i don't know what happend. when the music change so bad
ashlayynicolayy91
such an underrated song. so in love.
Andrea Patane
No one underestimates the beauty of nostalgia.
Risa Ricasio
michelle branch`s music never gets old.
Mark Ackerman
Why didn't this song get more recognition???!! It is so awesome!!! Plus this is one of the best videos ever produced!!!
rsumass84
Thank you so much Michelle for your music! It truly heals my soul. I have such respect for you and your talent and your courage to be yourself. You and your work are beautiful.