I Need To Wake Up
Melissa Etheridge · Icon [2011]
I've been so still, afraid of crumbling
Have I been careless?
Dismissing all the distant rumblings
Take me where I am supposed to be
To comprehend the things that I can't see
'Cause I need to move, I need to wake up
I need to change, I need to shake up
I need to speak out, something's got to break up
I've been asleep and I need to wake up now
And as a child I danced like it was 1999
And my dreams were wild
The promise of this new world would be mine
Now I am throwing off the carelessness of youth
To listen to an inconvenient truth
That I need to move, I need to wake up
I need to change, I need to shake up
I need to speak out, something's got to break up
I've been asleep and I need to wake up now
I am not an island
I am not alone
I am my intentions
Trapped here in this flesh and bone
And I need to move, I need to wake up
I need to change, I need to shake up
I need to speak out, something's got to break up
I've been asleep and I need to wake up now
I want to change, I need to shake up
I need to speak out, oh, something's got to break up
I've been asleep and I need to wake up now
I Need To Wake Up
Melissa Etheridge's "I Need To Wake Up" stands as a defining moment in her discography, originally recorded for the documentary film An Inconvenient Truth. The track showcases her signature blend of rock and soul, characterized by powerful vocals and a driving rhythm that captures the urgency of its environmental theme. Written specifically for the project, the song became a cultural touchstone, earning Etheridge a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The recording highlights her ability to craft anthemic pop-rock that resonates deeply with listeners, balancing personal introspection with a broader message of global awareness. As part of her extensive body of work, the song remains a testament to her songwriting prowess and her capacity to create music that transcends genre boundaries while maintaining emotional authenticity.