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."
Washing Machine
Michelle Branch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But there's no room for you, my feet are on the ground
And my head is in the clouds but you still can't break through
Whatcha gonna do
I'm not just gonna stand around
Waiting for my lips to be read
Falling through the cracks in the ground
Flowing like water in a crimson melody
The orange plastic sun is shining and the truth so hard to see
The rain of your existence if falling down on me
And the soap suds spread like a disease, from my washing machine
I'm not just gonna stand around
Waiting for my lips to be read
Falling through the cracks in the ground
My feelings need to be said
I'm not just gonna stand around, waiting for you
Falling through the cracks in the ground
And I'm hoping that you'll make your next move
That you'll make your next move
I'm not just gonna stand around
Waiting for my lips to be read
Falling through the cracks in the ground
My feelings need to be said
The lyrics in Michelle Branch’s “Washing Machine” song are a reflection of a woman who seems to be in love with someone, yet detached from them at the same time. In the beginning, it seems as though the person she is interested in is captivating, yet she is too grounded to explore anything deeper with them. Despite their attempts to "break through," she remains unyielding. The next verse brings a sense of resolution as she conveys that she cannot remain on standby any longer waiting for the other person’s move.
The bridge of the song moves towards a metaphor that captures the meaning of the song’s title. The “flowing like water in a crimson melody” line speaks to something being washed; the image of water, rain and the soap suds implies a cleaning, yet as the words suggest, it seems futile - the “truth so hard to see.” She progresses to state her feelings clearly, with the lines, "my feelings need to be said." This implies that they have been muddled or stifled, and there is a hope that the other person will make the next move.
Line by Line Meaning
Your eyes they look so bright, a funky flair in my appetite
Your appearance is attractive and enticing to me, but I am not looking for a relationship at the moment.
But there's no room for you, my feet are on the ground
I am focused on practical matters and do not have space for a romantic connection.
And my head is in the clouds but you still can't break through
Although I have dreamy aspirations, I am not interested in pursuing a romantic relationship.
Whatcha gonna do
What actions will you take in response to my lack of interest?
Flowing like water in a crimson melody
My emotions are fluid and intense, like the harmonious movements of a song.
The orange plastic sun is shining and the truth so hard to see
Things may appear bright and optimistic, but the reality is obscured and difficult to discern.
The rain of your existence if falling down on me
The weight of your presence is overwhelming and burdensome.
And the soap suds spread like a disease, from my washing machine
The remnants of past emotional attachments are contaminating my current outlook.
I'm not just gonna stand around, waiting for you
I am not going to patiently wait for your romantic interest or attention.
And I'm hoping that you'll make your next move
I am uncertain about how to proceed and am relying on your actions to guide our interaction.
I'm not just gonna stand around, waiting for my lips to be read
I refuse to remain passive and allow my feelings to be ignored or overlooked.
Falling through the cracks in the ground
My emotions are being dismissed and overlooked.
My feelings need to be said
I feel compelled to express my emotions and desires.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KeithBlade
another gem from branch, what an amazing talent.
@ermonski
As much as I loved The Spirit Room, I love this album more.
@henrivalencia21
good times. good songs.
@yourmother1000000000
Another great Michelle Branch song... Not surprised it's one of the few indie pubed songs with lyric videos I've ever heard of. Can we do a petition to ask Michelle to come back?
@austincooley6643
I know this was 2 years ago, but she’s back!! 🥲I’m so happy!!😍
@SMD24
I wish Michelle had re-recorded some of these songs when Spirit Room part 1 released like this one