Yes I Am

Melissa Etheridge

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 1993)
• Original Release Date: September 21, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B000001G0U
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,834 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Rock > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Yes I Am is the album that catapulted Melissa Etheridge into superstardom. The 1993 collection's mercilessly driven, bluesy songs--nearly all dripping with sensual lyrics and rousing rhythms--made it the ideal breeding ground for a couple of career-enhancing music videos. The eerily possessive rock ballad "Come to My Window" hit the tube first with a bizarre twofold portrait of Etheridge and her guitar and actress Juliette Lewis having a nervous breakdown. This single brought the album into the public consciousness and was quickly followed by the similarly obsessive, slow-groovin' "I'm the Only One" and the co-dependence-battling "If I Wanted To." But the album's real strength is in the hidden gems untouched by MTV programmers. The slow-building "Silent Legacy," the undulating blues scream "Yes I Am," and the playful, acoustic "Ruins" are what make this album a whole. --Sally Weinbach

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS THE FIRST ONE I'VE BOUGHT AND I LOVE IT!!, July 27, 2001

By	"rainbowskies11" (Lacey, WA United States) - See all my reviews

I was first introduced to Melissa Etheridge's music when a ex-partner dedicated a song to me, the song "Come to my Window".... I listened to the songs and then looked up the lyrics..the words struck like a chord through my body.. Then I heard the song, "I'm the only one" on the radio. All day long I was humming the chorus of that song. I decided to purchase a cassette to see if I liked the flavor of her music. I chose "Yes I Am", because it had both songs on it. I've probably listened to it 50 times since. However I prefer side one to side 2, and have listened to it more. I think the songs that seem to have the most depth are on side one, songs such as "I'm the only one", "Yes I am", "I will never be the same", "If I wanted to". I like "silent Legacy" because to me it represents the plight we've suffered as lesbians. Although I'm sure it could refer any repressed person. One the second side, I think the best song is "yes I am", the rest are okay, the last song I like just because she is singing about her father. Overall I am very happy with my first purchase.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Miraculous Melissa, July 12, 2000

By	"goldcoastreviews" (Florida) - See all my reviews

Ok, I have bought this CD 3 times. The wear & tear of being played in the car, at home, wherever I go demanded it.

At first my husband thought I was switching gears so to speak. Until he went with me to one of her concerts. He was swept away by the driving beats, the lyrical mesh of genders & he went crazy when she turned her guitar over & did a drum solo on the wood! He finally understood her talent without being jaded by her sexualism.

On "Yes I Am", there is an equisite mix of tracks. From the title song to "Come To My Window", to my absolute favorite; "I Will Never Be The Same", and the thrusting get yourself up and pumping, "All American Girl".

Too bad most men cannot accept Melissa for who she is. If you are secure with yourself, you do not have to be gay to say, "Yes, I Am".

Thanks--CDS

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The quintessential Melissa, June 5, 2000

By	Rachel (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

First of all, the album title is very appropriate - "Yes I Am" - alluding to her coming out as a lesbian earlier in 1993. And this album is indeed all about the now-public lesbian pride, felt through several high-energy songs and thoughtful lyrics. This is also the Melissa that most people are familiar with, as this album was the best-selling Melissa album ever.

The first track, "I'm The Only One," sets the tone with powerful bass and and a strong message affirming her love against all hostile circumstances. It is followed by "If I Wanted To" - a very high-energy song. "Come To My Window" is rather a let-down, but that may be because the radio stations tended to overplay it. The rest of the album is made up of high-energy songs like "All-American Girl," which is about the everyday life of a working-class single mother, and thoughtful vocal reflections such as "Silent Legacy," "I Will Never Be The Same," and "Talking To My Angel." Don't forget the title track either!

I find every track to be a gem in its own right, and do not hesitate to give album the highest rating. Coming out of the closet often means devastation to an artist's career, but Melissa has done what she has been always good at - great music and meaningful lyrics - to turn it into an even bigger message and success. This album may not have the subtlety of Melissa's earlier works, but it is nevertheless a great one... buy it and you will find yourself shouting "Lesbian Power" before you know it. Even if you are straight or male!