Come to My Window

Last updated

"Come to My Window"
Etheridge Come.jpg
Single by Melissa Etheridge
from the album Yes I Am
Released1993
Studio A&M (Hollywood, California)
Length
  • 3:55 (album version)
  • 3:35 (edit)
Label Island
Songwriter(s) Melissa Etheridge
Producer(s)
Melissa Etheridge singles chronology
"I'm the Only One"
(1993)
"Come to My Window"
(1993)
"All American Girl"
(1994)

"Come to My Window" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released in 1993 as the second single from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). This was the first song to become a hit after Etheridge publicly announced that she was a lesbian. With the driving force of gay rights, the song gained substantial airplay on radio stations, mostly through call-in requests.[ citation needed ] The song debuted on the Billboard charts after the first week of its release, reaching number 25 on the chart. The song also charted in Canada, reaching number 13 on the RPM Top Singles chart. It was the second song from Etheridge that earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. In 2019, Billboard included "Come to My Window" in its list of the "30 Lesbian Love Songs". [1]

Contents

Song information

When the song was being promoted, a portion of the song's beginning was omitted. This was to help accommodate some radio stations that wanted an instrumental beginning rather than a vocal one. The song's lyrics describes the intense love that Etheridge has for another person. It describes situations that she is willing to endure and how happy the other person makes her feel. In addition, the song implicitly alludes to the singer's sexual orientation and activism by the lyrics:

"I don't care what they think.
I don't care what they say.
What do they know about this love, anyway?"[ citation needed ]

Etheridge tells both in her autobiography and during the interview on the bonus DVD of her greatest hits album that out of all songs she has written, "Come to My Window" is the one that surprises her the most, and that she almost did not put it on the album. She states that while she wrote the song, she did not realize what she was actually writing and that it was not before meeting Tammy Lynn Michaels that she understood what this song means to other people. She also says that it has the best musical bridge part of all her songs.

The sound effect at the beginning was created by Mauricio Fritz Lewak who put coins inside of a pair of clash cymbals. This song was also about her girlfriend at the time.[ citation needed ]

Critical reception

Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote "Singer/songwriter extraordinaire, Melissa Etheridge is never short on provocative imagery in any of her songs. She delivers one of her most powerful yet, which is supported by an equally riveting video." [2] Sam Wood from Philadelphia Inquirer felt "Come to My Window" "features the same annoying strummed tag line that seems to infect too much of what is called women's music. Etheridge may have intended to pay homage to her ghettoized sisters, but flaunting the contrived, amateurish chordal figure does nothing to add to the authenticity of the song. It just sinks it." [3]

Music video

The black-and-white music video for "Come to My Window", directed by Samuel Bayer, cuts between a mental patient (Juliette Lewis) and Etheridge playing her guitar and singing. The video also features "child-like" drawings in certain scenes. According to an episode of VH1's Pop Up Video , these drawings were created by a crew member's five-year-old daughter. Additionally, the video was to have included an appearance by a little girl; the mental patient's "lost childhood". While the appearance was filmed, it got lost during editing.[ citation needed ]

Live performances

Etheridge performed "Come to My Window" during The Concert for New York City, the benefit concert following the September 11, 2001 attacks. The song was played by the World Wrestling Federation in the background of a tribute to wrestler Owen Hart who died during a match.

Etheridge also appeared on an episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills , singing "Come to My Window" at a fundraiser for Homeless Not Toothless at Dorit and Paul Kemsley's home. [4]

Track listings

All songs were written by Melissa Etheridge.

  1. "Come to My Window" – 3:55
  2. "Ain't It Heavy" (live) – 5:34
  3. "The Letting Go" (live) – 3:51
  4. "I'm the Only One" (live) – 5:30
  1. "Come to My Window" – 3:55
  2. "Ain't It Heavy" (live) – 5:34
  1. "Come to My Window" – 3:55
  2. "Ain't It Heavy" (live) – 5:34
  3. "The Letting Go" (live) – 3:51

Credits and personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [20] Gold500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

In 1997, the John Tesh Project featuring Brandon Fields on saxophone, covered the song from their album "Sax All Night." [21]

Related Research Articles

<i>Yes I Am</i> (Melissa Etheridge album) Album by Melissa Etheridge

Yes I Am is the fourth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on September 21, 1993. The title is generally thought to refer to Etheridge's recent coming out as a lesbian, confirming long-standing rumors about her personal life. However, in 2018, Etheridge clarified that in fact the title for the track and album were not statements regarding her sexual identity. Yes I Am is the pivotal album that gave Etheridge national and international recognition. The rock ballad "Come to My Window" was the first single released from the album, which peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its video featured the actress Juliette Lewis having a nervous breakdown. This single was quickly followed by "I'm the Only One", which became a major hit in the US and reached No. 8 on the Hot 100, and "If I Wanted To", which reached No. 16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lollipop (Candyman)</span> 1997 single by Aqua

"Lollipop (Candyman)" is a song by Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group Aqua. It was released as the fifth overall single from their debut album, Aquarium, in Australasia, North America, and mainland Europe. However, it was not released in the United Kingdom. "Lollipop" features a prominent role for René Dif, with vocals also from main vocalist Lene. The US CD and cassette single include "Good Morning Sunshine" as the B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn Back Time (Aqua song)</span> 1998 single by Aqua

"Turn Back Time" is a song by Danish dance-pop group Aqua, released as their seventh single overall, and the sixth from their debut album, Aquarium (1997). The song was also included on the soundtrack for the 1998 film Sliding Doors, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and was released across the world throughout 1998, starting with the United States in January. The track possesses less of a bubble pop sound than Aqua's other releases; it is slow-paced and shows the full range of Lene Nystrøm's vocals but maintains the Aqua sound. In Japan, "Turn Back Time" was released along with "My Oh My". "Turn Back Time" was successful on the charts on several countries, becoming Aqua's third consecutive number one on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Power of Love (Jennifer Rush song)</span> 1984 single by Jennifer Rush

"The Power of Love" is a song co-written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Jennifer Rush in 1984. It was released as the fifth single from her debut album, Jennifer Rush (1984), and has since been covered by Air Supply, Laura Branigan, and Celine Dion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Ain't a Love Song</span> 1995 single by Bon Jovi

"This Ain't a Love Song" is the lead single from American rock band Bon Jovi's sixth studio album, These Days (1995). The rock ballad is an example of the strong rhythm and blues influence that Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wanted the album to have. Released in May 1995 by Mercury, it reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, number six on the UK Singles Chart, and number one on the Finnish Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misled (Celine Dion song)</span> 1994 single by Celine Dion

"Misled" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion for her third English-language studio album, The Colour of My Love (1993). It was released as the second single from the album on 11 April 1994 by Columbia Records/Epic Records. The song was written by Peter Zizzo and Jimmy Bralower and produced by Ric Wake. "Misled" topped the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and reached number four in Canada. It also peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart and number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its music video was directed by Randee St. Nicholas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Think Twice (Celine Dion song)</span> 1994 single by Celine Dion

"Think Twice" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion, released as the third single from her third English-language album, The Colour of My Love (1993) in North America in July 1994, in the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan in October 1994, and in other European countries in 1995. It was written by Andy Hill and Peter Sinfield, and produced by Christopher Neil and Aldo Nova. In this rock-influenced song with a guitar solo, the protagonist is telling her lover to "think twice" before leaving her. The song became one of Dion's most successful hits in Europe and Australia, topping multiple charts, including those of Flemish Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Remaining at the top of the UK Singles Chart for seven weeks, it eventually became the fourth single by a female artist to sell in excess of one million copies in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreams (Gabrielle song)</span> 1993 single by Gabrielle

"Dreams" is a song by British singer and songwriter Gabrielle. It was written by Gabrielle and Tim Laws and produced by Richie Fermie for her debut studio album, Find Your Way (1993). Released by Go! Beat and London Records as Gabrielle's debut single, "Dreams" entered the UK Singles Chart at number two, which was the highest chart entry a debut act had obtained in the United Kingdom at that time before reaching number one for three weeks in June 1993. In the United States, the song peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Gabrielle's highest-charting song there. The song's music video was directed by Kate Garner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm the Only One</span> 1993 single by Melissa Etheridge

"I'm the Only One" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). It was released as the first single in September 1993, reaching number 12 in Canada and number 26 in the Netherlands. In the United States, it was slow to gain momentum, but after the success of "Come to My Window", it was re-released, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in January 1995. It remains Etheridge's biggest hit on either chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constant Craving</span> 1992 single by k.d. lang

"Constant Craving" is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang and Ben Mink, performed by lang and included on her second solo album, Ingénue (1992). The song was released in the United Kingdom in April 1992 and won lang a Grammy Award in the category for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1993, as well as an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven Help</span> 1993 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Heaven Help" is a song by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in August 1993 as the third single from his third studio album, Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993). The song made a brief appearance on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 92. In the United Kingdom, it became his second top-twenty hit from Are You Gonna Go My Way, peaking at number 20, and in Canada and New Zealand, the song reached the top 30. It was later included on Kravitz' compilation album Greatest Hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Souvenirs</span> 1989 single by Melissa Etheridge

"No Souvenirs" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, release as the second single from her second album, Brave and Crazy, in August 1989. Despite peaking at number 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the song experienced more success internationally, reaching number 30 in Australia and number four in Canada, where it became Etheridge's highest-charting single until "I Want to Come Over" reached number one in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bring Me Some Water</span> 1988 single by Melissa Etheridge

"Bring Me Some Water" is the debut single of American singer Melissa Etheridge. It was released in 1988 and became a hit in several countries, reaching the top 20 in Australia, New Zealand, and on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angels Would Fall</span> 1999 single by Melissa Etheridge

"Angels Would Fall" is a song by American musician Melissa Etheridge, released as the first single from her sixth album, Breakdown (1999), in August 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ode to My Family</span> 1994 single by the Cranberries

"Ode to My Family" is a song by Irish band the Cranberries, released on 21 November 1994 by Island Records as the second single from their second studio album, No Need to Argue (1994). The song was written by bandmembers Dolores O'Riordan and Noel Hogan. It was a hit in Oceania and several European countries, topping the charts in Iceland, and reaching number four in France, number five in Australia, and number eight in New Zealand. Its music video was directed by Samuel Bayer. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic, stripped down version on the band's Something Else album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Going Down (Rose Royce song)</span> 1976 single by Rose Royce

"I'm Going Down" is a song written and produced by Norman Whitfield, and performed by American soul and R&B group Rose Royce in 1976. It is from the film Car Wash and is featured on its soundtrack. In 1994, it was covered by American singer Mary J. Blige.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If I Ever Lose My Faith in You</span> 1993 single by Sting

"If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" is a song by English singer-songwriter Sting, released on 1 February 1993 as the lead single from his fourth studio album, Ten Summoner's Tales (1993). The song reached number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top 40 in several European countries. In Canada, the song reached number one, spending three weeks atop the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and finishing 1993 as Canada's fourth-most-successful single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If I Wanted To</span> 1994 single by Melissa Etheridge

"If I Wanted To" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released in 1994 as the final single from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). The song entered the top 50 in Australia, Canada, Iceland, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your Little Secret (song)</span> 1994 single by Melissa Etheridge

"Your Little Secret" is the first single and title track from American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge's fifth studio album of the same name (1995). The song was released to US radio stations on October 9, 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want to Come Over</span> 1996 single by Melissa Etheridge

"I Want to Come Over" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge. It was released in late January 1996 as the second single from her fifth studio album, Your Little Secret (1995). The song was a commercial success, reaching number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 29 in both Australia and New Zealand. It also reached number one on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart in March 1996. At the end of the year, the song appeared on the American and Canadian year-end charts at numbers 79 and 11, respectively.

References

  1. Russell, Erica (February 13, 2019). "30 Lesbian Love Songs: Women Singing About Women (Updated 2019)". Billboard . Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  2. Sholin, Dave (January 7, 1994). "Gavin Picks — Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report . Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  3. Wood, Sam (October 5, 1993). "Godfather of Punk, Iggy Pop; Session with Stanley Turrentine". Philadelphia Inquirer .
  4. "RHOBH Has Melissa Etheridge to Thank for Stopping Another Dinner Party from Hell". August 11, 2022.
  5. Come to My Window (US CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1993. 422-858-029-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. Come to My Window (UK CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1993. CID 604, 858 029-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Come to My Window (US & Canadian cassette single sleeve). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1993. 422-858 028-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Come to My Window (European CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1993. 74321 18241 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Come to My Window (Australian CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1993. 858219-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2407." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  11. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  12. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  13. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  14. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  15. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  16. "U.S. Cash Box Chart Entries – 1990 – 1996" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  17. "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM . Retrieved March 28, 2019 via Library and Archives Canada.
  18. "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  19. "The Year in Music: Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. YE-68. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  20. "American single certifications – Melissa Etheridge – Come to My Windo". Recording Industry Association of America.
  21. "Sax All Night overview". Allmusic.com .