I Want to Come Over

The Zoo Crew is spinning the sultry rock anthem "I Want to Come Over" by Melissa Etheridge from her 1995 album Your Little Secret, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its raw energy. One juicy piece of trivia about this track is its music video, directed by Pam Thomas, which starred a young Gwyneth Paltrow. Shot in a derelict hotel with a single tenant still living there, the crew bribed the resident with a bottle of Chivas Regal whiskey to allow filming, adding a gritty, real-world edge to the production. The song itself, peaking at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, is a quintessential Etheridge tale of tortured romance, with lyrics that burn with longing and defiance, perfectly capturing her signature heart-on-sleeve intensity.

Another tidbit comes from the song’s place in Etheridge’s career arc. Following the massive success of her 1993 album Yes I Am, Your Little Secret was under pressure to deliver, and "I Want to Come Over" became one of its standout singles, hitting No. 1 on Canada’s RPM chart. In a 1995 interview, Etheridge shared that the album’s title and vibe were inspired by an online fan conversation where one fan lamented that her rising fame meant she was no longer "our little secret." This resonated deeply with Etheridge, who channeled that sentiment into the album’s themes of intimacy and exposure, with "I Want to Come Over" embodying the push-and-pull of desire and consequence.

Melissa Etheridge’s journey to rock stardom began in Leavenworth, Kansas, where she was born on May 29, 1961. As a teen, she honed her craft playing in local bands, drawing inspiration from icons like Bruce Springsteen and Pete Townshend. She briefly attended Berklee College of Music in Boston but left at 21 to chase her dreams in Los Angeles. There, she gigged relentlessly in clubs and lesbian bars, building a loyal following with her raspy voice and confessional songwriting. Her big break came in 1986 when Island Records’ Chris Blackwell signed her after being impressed by her live performance, arranged by manager Karla DeVito and agent Bill Leopold. Her self-titled debut album in 1988, recorded in just four days after an overly polished first attempt was scrapped, became an underground hit with the single "Bring Me Some Water," earning her a Grammy nomination and setting the stage for her meteoric rise.

Fans can connect with Melissa Etheridge through her vibrant online presence. Her official website, melissaetheridge.com, offers access to the Etheridge Nation Community for exclusive content, pre-sales, and live streams. On social media, she’s active on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where she shares updates on tours, new music, and personal reflections. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online, including the Melissa Etheridge Fan Club on Facebook, a hub for devotees to share concert experiences and celebrate her music. Another fan-driven space is the Melissa Etheridge – The Road Less Traveled group, where fans discuss her discography and legacy with fervor.