Melissa Etheridge's Reflection on 'Come to My Window': The Surprising Decision Behind the Hit Song

Melissa Etheridge was surprised when her song "Come to My Window" won a Grammy. She admitted that she almost didn't include it on her record because she didn't think people would relate to it. At 62 years old, she shared this exclusive insight at the 2024 CMT Awards in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, April 7. She felt the song was too simple.

Etheridge's mindset shifted when her friends convinced her to keep the song. She admitted, "I had a bunch of friends go, ‘We think that’s a pretty good song, maybe you should keep it on.'" She ultimately decided to listen to their advice, realizing that "An artist never knows a hit song."

Even though she didn't expect the song to become so popular, Etheridge expressed to Us that she is "glad" it had such a significant impact.

In 1993, Melissa Etheridge released "Come to My Window" as the second single from her fourth album, Yes I Am. The song reached No. 25 on the Billboard charts and won Etheridge her second Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1995.

Melissa Etheridge Come to My Window Almost Not Released 2024 CMT

Days before the CMT Awards, it was revealed that a new docuseries called Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken will be coming to Paramount+ in July. The two-part series will showcase Etheridge's talent as a songwriter and follow her as she creates a new song inspired by five incarcerated women at a prison in Kansas.

"It's a concert film that we filmed at the Kansas State Women's Penitentiary," she shared with Us during the interview. Growing up in Leavenworth, Kansas, I was always surrounded by prisons. When I was young, Johnny Cash performed at the Federal Penitentiary, but sadly, we were not able to see him. Only the prisoners had that privilege. Since then, I have always had a desire to bring my music to the inmates and uplift their spirits. Last year, we finally made it happen when we visited the Topeka Women's Correctional Facility. I am incredibly proud of this project."

According to Etheridge, the main focus of the project is to show how music has the power to uplift people. Additionally, it sheds light on the way we incarcerate individuals.

Etheridge hinted at the upcoming docuseries in a statement released on Thursday, April 3. She expressed her excitement for viewers to accompany her on this impactful journey, hearing stories that are both heartbreaking and inspiring. The docuseries will shed light on the challenges women encounter in the prison system, while also offering hope and support to those going through similar struggles.

Melissa Etheridge is currently on tour in support of her upcoming series. She started the Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken tour last month and will finish on April 20. Additionally, she will be joining the Indigo Girls and Jewel on co-headlining tours later this year.

Editor's P/S:

Melissa Etheridge's journey with "Come to My Window" highlights the often unpredictable nature of artistic success. Despite her initial doubts, the song's simplicity and relatability resonated deeply with listeners, earning her a Grammy. This underscores the importance of trusting one's instincts and listening to constructive feedback from those around us.

Etheridge's upcoming docuseries, "Melissa Etheridge: I'm Not Broken," promises to explore the transformative power of music and shed light on the challenges faced by incarcerated women. By using her platform to amplify their stories, Etheridge not only provides a voice to the voiceless but also fosters empathy and understanding for those impacted by the criminal justice system. Her commitment to social justice and the transformative power of art is both inspiring and empowering.