McKee is the half-sister of Love guitarist Bryan MacLean, with whom she played in a duo as a teenager. In 1982 McKee was a founding member of the cowpunk/country rock band Lone Justice with whom she released two albums. Her band opened for such acts as U2.
She released her first solo, self-titled album in 1989. Her song "Show Me Heaven", which appeared on the soundtrack to the film Days of Thunder, was a number one single in the United Kingdom for four weeks in 1990. Later her eerie, country-tinged single, "If Love Is a Red Dress (Hang Me in Rags)" was released on the soundtrack of Pulp Fiction. (1994).
Her recorded output has varied between the rootsy country-folk of You Gotta Sin To Get Saved (1993) and Peddlin' Dreams (2005), and experimental rock on Life Is Sweet (1996) and High Dive (2003). She even made a foray into early-90s dance music with her "Sweetest Child" single.
Life Is Sweet was seen at the time as an artistic about-face from her country-rock sound, full of guitar feedback and complex, baroque songwriting. Confounding both fans and critics, it was her last release for seven years and her last for a major label.
In 2007 she released Late December, an album rooted in classic 60s pop songwriting.
She is the half-sister of Love guitarist/singer/songwriter Bryan Maclean, with whom she played in a duo as a teenager. In the nineties, she spent time living in Dublin and the East Village.
Shelter
Maria McKee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fate proved unkind
To lock the door and leave no key
You're unsure
Well baby I'm scared too
When the world crushes you
[Chorus]
From the storm outside
Let me be your shelter shelter
From the endless tide
Disillusion has an edge so sharp
It tears at your soul
And leaves a stain upon your heart
I need you to wash mine clean
You've felt it too
And you need me
[Chorus]
Your struggle with darkness has left you blind
I'll light the fire in your eyes
[Chorus]
Your struggle with darkness has left you blind
I'll light the fire in your eyes
[Chorus]
Let me be your shelter shelter shelter shelter shelter
The song "Shelter" by Maria McKee is about being there for someone who is going through a rough patch, providing them comfort and safety through the storm. The opening lines suggest that someone had given up everything for a dream, but fate was not on their side. They became unsure and lost, and the singer acknowledges her fear for what is happening to them but reassures that they will be there to help them overcome. The chorus is a plea to be a beacon of hope, a place of safety, and a rock amidst all the turmoil the person is experiencing. The lyrics convey that disillusionment can be crippling and leave a stain on one's soul, but with someone by their side, they can find their way out.
The second verse talks about the impact of the struggle with darkness, and how it can leave someone blind. But the singer promises to ignite a fire in their eyes and make them see again. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's desire to provide shelter and safety for the person, urging them to let her be their protector from the endless tide. The overall message is that everyone needs someone to turn to when the world is crushing them, and offering shelter is the best way to show someone that they are not alone in their struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Well all right you gave it all up for a dream
You sacrificed everything to pursue your aspirations, but it didn't turn out as planned.
Fate proved unkind
Destiny was cruel, and things didn't work out the way you hoped they would.
To lock the door and leave no key
You are trapped and lost, unable to find a way out of your situation.
You're unsure
You are uncertain about your future and what is going to happen next.
Well baby I'm scared too
I am afraid as well, but I want to help you through this tough time.
When the world crushes you
The world can be harsh and unforgiving, causing you pain and suffering.
[Chorus]
Repetition of the chorus to emphasize providing shelter and security during the tough times.
Disillusion has an edge so sharp
Losing faith in something you believed in can be incredibly painful and leave a lasting mark.
It tears at your soul
It causes a deep emotional wound that is difficult to heal.
And leaves a stain upon your heart
The disillusionment taints your heart and your view on the world around you.
I need you to wash mine clean
I am also struggling with disillusionment, and I need you to help me through it.
You've felt it too
You have experienced a similar feeling of disillusionment, and you understand my pain.
And you need me
You also need someone to help you through this tough time, and I want to be there for you.
[Chorus]
Repetition of the chorus to emphasize providing shelter and security during the tough times.
Your struggle with darkness has left you blind
Your difficulties have left you feeling lost and uncertain about your direction in life.
I'll light the fire in your eyes
I will help reignite your passion and motivate you to keep moving forward.
[Chorus]
Repetition of the chorus to emphasize providing shelter and security during the tough times.
Let me be your shelter shelter shelter shelter shelter
Repetition of the chorus to emphasize the desire to provide shelter and security during tough times.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARIA LOUISA MCKEE, STEVEN VAN ZANDT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tifanie Ann
Shelter_ Lyrics
Well alright, you gave it all up for a dream
Fate proved unkind, to lock the door and leave no key
You're unsure, well baby I'm scared too
When the world crushes you
Let me be your shelter, shelter
From a storm outside
Let me be your shelter, shelter
From the endless night
Disillusion has an edge so sharp
It tears at your soul and leaves a stain upon your heart
I need you, to wash mine clean
You've felt it too, and you need me
Let me be your shelter, shelter
From a storm outside
Let me be your shelter, shelter
From the endless night
Your struggle with darkness has left you blind
I'll light the fire in your eyes
Your struggle with darkness has left you blind
I'll light the fire in your eyes
Let me be your shelter, shelter
From a storm outside
Let me be your shelter, shelter
From the endless night
Let me be your shelter, shelter
Let me be your shelter, shelter
Let me be your shelter, shelter
Let me be your shelter, shelter
Let me be your shelter, shelter
Let me be your shelter, shelter
Let me be your shelter, shelter
Shelter, shelter, shelter, shelter
Shelter, shelter, shelter, shelter
Shelter, shelter, shelter, shelter
Source:ย Musixmatch
Songwriters: Van Zandt Steven / Mc Kee Maria Luisa
Shelter lyrics ยฉ Blue Midnight Music
Denise Dupuis
This woman has an amazing voice. I saw Lone Justice open for U2. It's a shame she never got the recogntion she deserved.
John Demars
What a bad match that was. It was the only time I ever heard a Montreal audience mistreat an opening act.
Sharon Jensen
Rather unfair.
Moe ManthA
Yeah I was there. I recall Bono slagging the crowd a bit for that
Matthew Rawls
This is one of my absolute favorite songs of all time.
Kimberley Davis
Mine too... Got me thru losing my mom in 1987
Lee
@Kimberley Davis Mine, too. It's hard losing a momma.
Ian Noe
Likewise. Cheers. ๐ป๐ป
Kerensa Sheen
I love this, loud in headphones. It is the best.
KarenAB.
I never understood why she wasnt more famous . After they broke up if she had the right management etc I believe her solo career couldve been amazing. A lot of super talented people never quite get the success they deserve bc of inadequate management/proper exposure . That voice is so unique it just fills you up . Very special