While studying anthropology at Franklin and Marshall College, McNally began singing and playing guitar in clubs. After graduating and honing her skills on the streets of Paris as a busker, she secured a deal with Capitol Records in 1997. McNally was intent on making an acoustic record and entered the studio with studio professionals including Jim Keltner, Benmont Tench, and Greg Leisz. The resulting album Jukebox Sparrows was not released at the time.
In the interim, McNally opened for Stevie Nicks and Ryan Adams, and was part of the 1999 Girl's Room tour with Tara MacLean, Kendall Payne, and Amy Correia. She also modeled for Urban Decay cosmetics. In 2000, McNally issued the holdover EP Bolder Than Paradise. When Capitol finally issued Jukebox Sparrows in January 2002, it did so into a market that had already embraced such roots-flavored material as Ryan Adams and the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack. McNally embarked on a press tour, and spent the summer of that year supporting John Mellencamp. In late 2002, she released the Ran on Pure Lightning EP, a collaboration with songwriter Neal Casal.
In 2005, McNally returned with the country, blues, and soul influences on the album Geronimo. The album's June release was accompanied by a summer's worth of live dates. Early 2006 saw the release of McNally's third album, North American Ghost Music. Tour dates with Son Volt also coincided its release.
McNally took off most of 2008 and 2009 after the birth of her first child. She has resumed performing and recording and toured with Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women. In 2009 she released the album Coldwater with her band Hot Sauce. McNally currently resides near Oxford, Mississippi.
In 2013, McNally released Small Town Talk, a tribute album to the songs of Bobby Charles. In an interview, McNally said that she was a longtime friend of Bobby Charles and Small Town Talk was inspired by Charles' first, self-titled album from 1973
Bitter Blue
Shannon McNally Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a ball of fire giving off heat
And I was standing there in my lace of flames
My fingers on fire embers all around
As the walls fell your hands found me in the fog
I heard people talking in that secret dialogue
More's going on than meets the eye
Bah bah da da da
'Cause I was going under and you saved me
Now I owe it all to you
I was going under and you saved me
My bittersweet my bitter blue
And oh they do get mad baby don't they get angry
When you tell them that you just don't agree
They tell you that you're hard to please
That your naïve and you're gonna be very very sorry
But I feel so sure and I feel so new
And then there you are in your jeans of blue
Making it all seem so easy
You make the gale winds nothing more than breezy
Bah bah da da da?.
'Cause I was going under and you saved me
Now I owe it all to you
I was going under and you saved me
My bittersweet my bitter blue
Whoa. My bittersweet my bitter blue
Color's rising honey don't you realize don't you see
You're for me like Adam was for Eve
See me come laughing through the fields
See me come laughing through the waves
Baby I've been holding out for you ? yeah
See me come laughing through the fields
See me come through the waves
Here I come, here I come
'Cause I was going under and you saved me
Now I owe it all to you
I was going under and you saved me
My bittersweet my bitter blue
The first verse describes the arrival of someone the singer was expecting - someone who is like a ball of fire, giving off heat. The singer is waiting for this arrival in flames, with embers all around. This person is someone special who takes the singer from under the waters and saves them. The second verse talks about how people react when the singer expresses disagreement with them. They are told that they are hard to please and naïve, and that they will be sorry, but the singer is confident and feels new. The person who arrived, wearing jeans of blue, makes everything seem easy and even the gale winds are nothing more than breezes with them.
Overall, the song conveys the message of how one person can change another's life significantly, helping them rise from under the waters and showing them new perspectives. The lyrics are passionate and heartfelt, with vivid imagery and metaphors to create a unique and powerful atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
And I knew you'd come walking up the middle of the street
I had a strong feeling that you would show up confidently and boldly like a ball of fire.
Like a ball of fire giving off heat
You exude confidence and passion that can be felt from a distance.
And I was standing there in my lace of flames
I was in a vulnerable state, with my emotions and feelings exposed, just waiting for you to come and ignite me.
My fingers on fire embers all around
My feelings were so intense that it felt like I was literally on fire, with sparks and embers flying around me.
As the walls fell your hands found me in the fog
As my defenses started to crumble, you appeared out of the mist and took my hand.
I heard people talking in that secret dialogue
I was aware that there were rumors and gossip going around that I didn't fully understand or know how to interpret.
More's going on than meets the eye
There is more complexity and depth to the situation than what is being outwardly expressed or seen.
And I'm trying to decipher the lies
I'm struggling to distinguish the truth from the falsehoods and trying to make sense of everything.
Bah bah da da da
Non-verbal expression of emotions or feelings that are difficult to put into words.
'Cause I was going under and you saved me
I was in a difficult situation and you rescued me from it.
Now I owe it all to you
I am indebted to you for saving me and helping me through this difficult time.
My bittersweet my bitter blue
The situation may have been difficult and painful, but you brought a sense of sweetness and comfort to it.
And oh they do get mad baby don't they get angry
Other people may become upset or angry when we don't share the same opinions or beliefs as them.
When you tell them that you just don't agree
When you express your dissenting opinions or beliefs, it can cause others to become upset or hostile.
They tell you that you're hard to please
They say that you are always difficult to satisfy and that you always have something to complain about.
That your naïve and you're gonna be very very sorry
They belittle you and say that you are inexperienced and will regret your decisions.
But I feel so sure and I feel so new
Despite what others say or believe, I feel confident and excited about my new experiences and beliefs.
And then there you are in your jeans of blue
You appear, calm and collected, in your blue jeans, as if everything is easy for you.
Making it all seem so easy
You make difficult situations look effortless.
You make the gale winds nothing more than breezy
You have the ability to calm even the most intense and chaotic situations.
Color's rising honey don't you realize don't you see
My excitement and passion are building, and I hope you can see and understand how I feel.
You're for me like Adam was for Eve
You are my soulmate, the one meant for me, like Adam was for Eve in the Bible.
See me come laughing through the fields
I am filled with joy and energy, and I want you to see me enjoying life and all it has to offer.
See me come laughing through the waves
I continue to move forward, laughing and enjoying life, even when faced with challenges.
Baby I've been holding out for you - yeah
I've been waiting and searching for someone like you, and now that I've found you, I am overjoyed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RON ANIELLO, JOSH GRANGE, SHANNON MCNALLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind