Shane McAnally has focused on two things since moving to Nashville in 1994;… Read Full Bio ↴Shane McAnally has focused on two things since moving to Nashville in 1994; music and stardom. As he prepares for the release of SHANE McANALLY, his debut album on Curb Records, he is headed for just that. Not bad for someone who came to Music City with a few dreams, but no specific plan. ''I started working at a restaurant as a bartender,'' Shane recalls. ''I figured it was a job that would enable me to have time to meet with writers and make contacts.'' Along with a strong voice and a passionate heart, he brought with him far reaching talent and the drive to succeed. Now, according to Billboard magazine, ''McAnally is an entity poised to win over radio and the masses.''

In a review of his debut single, ''Say Anything,'' Billboard magazine praised the newcomer citing, ''It's a strong debut that displays McAnally's gifts as both a writer and vocalist.'' Billboard calls ''Are Your Eyes Still Blue,'' an appealing uptempo number... production is crisp and flatters McAnally's energetic performance... his voice perfectly conveys the sense of longing and resignation in the lyric.'' Of the most recent single, ''Run Away,'' radio veteran Tim Closson claims, ''Shane has created his own category.'' Now, with his long anticipated debut album, SHANE McANALLY due in stores October 24, he is ready to do just that.

McAnally began performing at the age of 12 and started writing songs when he was 6. By age 15, he was a featured performer at the Texans Theater in Branson, Missouri. After his run at the theater, he went back to Texas where he performed at the Johnny High Music Review, as well as at various festivals. ''It's hard to imagine a time when music didn't encompass some part of my day. As a kid, I was always singing,'' he remembers.

As Shane began to prepare for the future, it was hard for him to foresee music being a tangible career choice. However, he realized while studying accounting at the University of Texas at Austin that music was his passion, and he had to give it his all. ''One day at the end of my second semester I was in a chemistry class and, instead of taking notes, I found myself writing a song,'' he admits. ''Music is always something I have had a knack for and have truly enjoyed.''

Soon after his arrival in Nashville and a lucky break on the famed Bluebird stage, Shane met with Curb Music Publishing. There, he was provided with the encouragement to work on the craft of songwriting and introduced to Rich Herring, a singer/songwriter who wanted to produce. Herring and McAnally collaborated on the demo of Shane's song, ''Just One Touch.'' It was an unforgettable experience for him. ''Rich would put a guitar track down, I sang to it, then he produced around it. When he came to me with the finished song, I could not believe what I heard! It was exactly what I had dreamed of.''

Ultimately, a year later, that demo landed Shane a producer, a publishing deal and a recording contract. He began co-writing with Herring, as well as other songwriters. Shane found that collaborating allowed him to really stretch himself as a songwriter and to hone in on his musical style. McAnally prides himself on writing detailed songs about real situations. He is influenced by the vocals of Marty Robbins, Ronnie Milsap, and The Judds, as well as the entertaining style of Barbara Mandrell. ''The way the crowd would respond to those artists and the connection they had with their audiences

'' I want to do what they did,'' says McAnally. ''It's an extremely dramatic process,'' McAnally says of his musical evolution.

Along with Rich Herring, famed producer Brian Ahern (Emmylou Harris, Anne Murray) and Mark Bright are also part of Shane's musical team. ''He's a musical genius,'' says Shane of Ahern. ''He's very earthy and raw, just what I wanted. He took the time to say 'What do you want to do?' The sides we cut with Brian and Rich are amazing! It's not because of my vocals or because of the songs. It's because of the combination we all brought to the record.''

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It Comes And Goes
Shane McAnally Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Last night I went out,
With my sister's best friend
I taught her to two-step
And it felt good to be laughing again
Then the band played It feel's so right
And even though I was holding her tight
It was you on my mind

Baby, it comes and it goes
Just when I think that I'm over you
All at once I loose control
Baby it comes and it goes

Today I ran into an old friend from school
We drank a toast to the old days
And carried on just like two crazy fools
He talked for hours, about his kids and his wife
Then asked if I had someone in my life,
And the tears filled my eyes

Baby, it comes and it goes
Just when I think that I'm over you
All at once I loose control
Baby it comes and it goes

Sometimes I wonder
If I'll ever be free
Cause one minute I'm laughing
And the next I'm down on my knees

Baby, it comes and it goes
Just when I think that I'm over you
All at once I loose control
Baby it comes and it goes

Baby it comes and it goes

Overall Meaning

Shane McAnally's It Comes And Goes is a beautiful depiction of the ups and downs of falling out of love. The singer describes his encounters with his sister's best friend and his old friend, both of which trigger memories of his past love. The first encounter at the dance floor shows him teaching his sister's best friend two-step while the band played It feel's so right. Even though he was enjoying the moment, he couldn't help but be reminded of his ex. This inner struggle is also emphasized in the chorus where he sings, "Just when I think that I'm over you, all at once, I lose control. Baby, it comes and it goes."

The second encounter with his old friend from school brings out the tears in him. He, too, enjoys his friend's company, but he can't help but break down when asked about his love life. The last verse is a beautiful testament to the complexity of emotions; the singer can be laughing one minute and down on his knees the next.

The melody of the song is gentle and emotional, which complements the lyrics well. Overall, It Comes And Goes is a raw and original take on the subject of heartbreak.

Line by Line Meaning

Last night I went out,
I went out last night,

With my sister's best friend
I went out with my sister's best friend

I taught her to two-step
I taught her to two-step

And it felt good to be laughing again
It was nice to laugh again

Then the band played It feel's so right
The band played It Feels So Right

And even though I was holding her tight
Even though I was holding her tight

It was you on my mind
I was thinking about you

Baby, it comes and it goes
My feelings for you come and go

Just when I think that I'm over you
Just when I think I've moved on from you

All at once I loose control
I suddenly lose control

Today I ran into an old friend from school
Today I saw an old friend from school