In 1993, Melissa Etheridge released her breakthrough album, Yes I Am, and was launched into stardom with her song “I’m the Only One.” It is often speculated that the title Yes I Am is a statement about sexuality, a notion publicly refuted by the artist. However, a review of previous album titles makes this difficult to deny.
In 1982, Melissa Etheridge released her first album, Nope. Not Me. No Way. But this was quickly followed by Shhh… The Facts of Life is on! in 1984. Something must have been brewing...
In high school, however, the tide started to turn for the artist with two revealing releases: Me, My Best Friend, and … What the Hell? and She was Pretty. I was Drunk. I Still Like Boys. After unfortunate backlash from her friends and family, along with her own struggle with denial and confusion, Melissa Etheridge released an apologetic But I Have Long Hair! in 1989.
Such denial and confusion was also conveyed in her college album, “Roommate”.
But slowly, Etheridge came to terms with her true self. Her 1991 release, Oh God…Maybe, featured the in-your-face single “That’s Not a Belt.” And her 1992 release, Now I Know Why I Never Liked Menudo, reflects a sense of clarity like never before.
But ultimately, it was 1993’s Yes I Am - a culmination of lifelong questions and self-discovery - that served as a gateway for Melissa Etheridge to reveal her true self: a prolific songwriter and musician, a lesbian… and a star. A really, really gay star.
Discography:
Nope. Not me. No Way (1982)
Shhh… The Facts of Life is on! (1984)
Me, My Best Friend, and … What the Hell? (1987)
She was Pretty. I was Drunk. I Still Like Boys (1988)
But I Have Long Hair! (1989)
“Roommate” (1990)
Oh God…Maybe (1991)
Now I Know Why I Never Liked Menudo (1992)
Yes I Am (1993)