Singer Shares Pain and Hope After Son's Opioid Death

Singer Melissa Etheridge has spoken candidly about the enduring grief following the death of her son, Beckett Cypher, who was 21 years old when he passed away in 2020. The cause of death was later determined to be complications related to opioid addiction. Etheridge described the extensive process of coming to terms with her loss, finding solace in activities like gardening and driving.

These moments of intense missing her son, especially the inability to share daily conversations, directly inspired her latest song, "Call You." This track, the first she wrote for her new album "Rise," served as an outlet for her pain and a way to confront feelings of guilt and shame.

Etheridge explained that while questions like "Did I do enough?" are agonizing, she has found a way to understand her son's choices and her inability to save him. She is focused on living fully, channeling her experiences into uplifting music that aims to inspire joy and hope in listeners.

Looking forward, Etheridge expresses a desire not to succumb to sadness but to embrace life, creation, and joy. She hopes her upcoming tour and concerts will be uplifting, demonstrating that even amidst sorrow, there is abundant happiness to be found.