Meredith Ann Brooks (born June 12, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer whose work combines alternative rock, pop, blues, and adult contemporary influences. She is best known for the 1997 hit "Bitch," a forceful song about the contradictions and shifting identities that can exist within a woman. The track became an international success and earned Brooks two Grammy Award nominations in 1998, for Best Rock Song and Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
Brooks began performing in the Pacific Northwest during the 1970s. She was a member of Sapphire, an all-female rock band based in Eugene, Oregon, and developed her skills as a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter while touring in the region. After Sapphire disbanded in the early 1980s, Brooks moved to Los Angeles and pursued a solo career. Her first album, *Meredith Brooks*, appeared in 1986, although it received little attention in the United States.
In 1987, Brooks joined Charlotte Caffey, formerly of the Go-Go's, and Gia Ciambotti in the pop-rock trio the Graces. The group signed with A&M Records and released *Perfect View* in 1989. Its single "Lay Down Your Arms" reached the Billboard Hot 100, but the album did not establish the group commercially. The Graces eventually dissolved, and Brooks returned her focus to solo work.
Her major breakthrough came with *Blurring the Edges*, released by Capitol Records in 1997. Built around Brooks' raspy vocals, prominent guitar playing, and direct songwriting, the album placed her among the female rock and singer-songwriter performers who found a large audience during the late 1990s. "Bitch," co-written with Shelly Peiken, became the defining recording of Brooks' career. Its blunt title and candid portrayal of emotional complexity attracted attention, while the song's melodic pop-rock arrangement helped it reach mainstream radio. The album also produced the successful single "What Would Happen."
Brooks followed the album with *Deconstruction* in 1999. The record expanded her palette and gave her greater control over the writing and production, including the song "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," a collaboration with Queen Latifah. Although it did not match the commercial impact of her debut, the album demonstrated Brooks' interest in moving beyond the formula associated with "Bitch."
After leaving Capitol, Brooks released *Bad Bad One* in 2002 through Gold Circle Records. She built a home studio and became increasingly involved in engineering and production, an important development in a period when female artists were still often separated from the technical side of recording. The album was later reissued as *Shine* in 2004. Her subsequent releases included the children's-oriented project *If I Could Be...* in 2007.
Brooks also established herself as a songwriter and producer for other performers. She produced Jennifer Love Hewitt's 2002 album *BareNaked* and contributed to songs for Hilary Duff's *Metamorphosis*. Through her production company, Kissing Booth Music, she continued mentoring and developing younger artists. Although "Bitch" has sometimes led to a one-hit-wonder label, Brooks' career reflects a broader role: she was a touring musician, recording artist, guitarist, songwriter, engineer, and producer who used commercial success to pursue greater creative independence.