Meredith Brooks is an American musician, singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer—best known for her 1997 international angst anthem single, “Bitch,” which was number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for two weeks and an international Grammy nominee that marked her place in rock history.
Many people associate her solely with the success of the Blurring the Edges (1997) project, but Brooks has enjoyed a long, illustrious career, from playing in female bands as a young girl to joining the pop singer genre as a solo artist and now producing pop artists and Disney talent like Hilary Duff and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Early Life
Meredith Ann Brooks was born June 12, 1958 in Corvallis, Oregon. Brooks spent her younger years growing up along the Pacific Northwest Corridor and eventually discovered music when she started playing in teen bands at the age of 15 or 16.
Sapphire
In 1976, Brooks began her professional music career in an all-girl band named “Sapphire” located out of Eugene, Oregon (and temporarily moved to Seattle at her request). The band changed its name several times and was a solid act until 1982, when she experienced her first contract with the show.
The Graces
In 1987 Brooks created a pop rock band called “The Graces” with Charlotte Caffey, a former member of The Go-Go’s, and Gia Ciambott. A Major label, A&M, signed the band and they released an album, ‘Perfect View,’ in May 1989. The debut release, “Lay Down Your Arms,” reached the Billboard Hot 100. Unfortunately, the next few singles did not perform as well, leading to the group’s disbandment and Brooks’ departure from the band.
Solo Career / Breakthrough
Brooks’ first solo album was released in 1986; however, Brooks really found success after a lot of ten years of work. After signing with Capitol Records, Brooks achieved worldwide success with “Bitch” (1997):
– #2 peak in the US and CAN
– charted in both Europe and Australia
– earned Grammy recognition for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and Best Rock Song
“Bitch” was featured on the album Blurring the Edges, which:
– peaked at #22 on the Billboard 200
– peaked at #5 on the UK Albums Chart
Brooks toured with the Lilith Fair and opened for The Rolling Stones in Argentina.
The single “What Would Happen,” along with several other singles that followed, was moderately successful and contributed to the overall success of the album “Deconstruction” (released in 1999), which was less notable and ultimately led to Brooks leaving Capitol Records.
Other albums from this period:
– Bad Bad One (2002): Recorded and produced at Brooks’ home studio, later changed the name to Shine (2004).
– If I Could Be… (2007):
Children’s music album inspired by the birth of her son in 2004.
Although her success only reached some degree of broken fan success, Brooks solidified a fan base and moved into a blatant producer role.
Producer & Collaborator
Brooks transitioned to a second career as a producer and collaborator.
– Co-wrote and produced Jennifer Love Hewitt’s BareNaked (2002) album.
– Co-produced Hilary Duff’s chart-breaking Metamorphosis (2003) album. Meredith Brooks has mentored up-and-coming musicians such as Becca, Juliet Simms (of The Voice), and Haley Johnsen (of American Idol).
She is credited as a co-writer of Bebe Rexha’s 2018 global hit “I’m a Mess,” which takes melodic inspiration from Bitch.
Now running her own production company, Kissing Booth Studios, Brooks continues to develop the next generation of artists.
Meredith Brooks Net Worth and Legacy
After three decades, Meredith Brooks has a net worth of $2 million from the following:
Album sales and royalties
Touring and live concerts
Songwriting and publishing rights
Producing and developing younger artists
Her legacy continues past her biggest single. Although Bitch has become a cultural benchmark of the 90s, Brooks’s work has shaped pop and rock music from the 2000s to the present day.
Frequently Asked Questions about Meredith Brooks
What is Meredith Brooks’s net worth?
Her net worth is approximately $2 million as of 2025.
What song made Meredith Brooks famous?
Her 1997 hit single “Bitch,” off Blurring the Edges, was a worldwide sensation that garnered two Grammy nominations.
Did Meredith Brooks win a Grammy?
No, but Bitch earned her two nominations in 1998.
What albums has she released?
Her albums include:
Meredith Brooks (1986)
Blurring the Edges (1997)
Deconstruction (1999)
Bad Bad One / Shine (2002/2004)
If I Could Be… (2007 – children’s album)
Did Meredith Brooks work with any famous artists?
Yes, she co-produced Hilary Duff’s Metamorphosis and Jennifer Love Hewitt’s BareNaked. Her writing credits include Bebe Rexha’s I’m a Mess.
