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
Bolder Than Paradise
Shannon McNally Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some things I understand that I'm better off without
Like dingy walls painted clean
Broken words unseen
I said maybe the world's as it should be and you disagreed
Bolder than Paradise and longer than goodbye
I carry your name around with me
Like a wish I sometimes untie
That's where I used to live
In the kingdom of my youthful reign
Before I was a prisoner to the silo
Walled into the shadows
Shy to the sky
Bolder than Paradise and longer than goodbye
I carry your name around with me
Like a spell I sometimes let fly
In Shannon McNally's song "Bolder Than Paradise," the lyrics explore the idea of things that are beyond doubt and those that are better left unsaid. The opening verse talks about the line between acceptance of the world as it is and questioning it, suggesting that there are some things that we might not fully understand. Referring to "dingy walls painted clean" and "broken words unseen," the song seems to acknowledge the messy and flawed parts of life that we try to hide or ignore.
The chorus talks about carrying someone's name around like a wish or a spell, suggesting a kind of longing or desire for something beyond reach. The last verse references the singer's past, a time when they lived in a "kingdom of youthful reign" before becoming a "prisoner to the silo" and confined to the shadows. The song seems to be wrestling with the idea of feeling trapped by something - whether it's doubt, regret, or unfulfilled longing - and wondering how to break free.
Line by Line Meaning
Some things are basically beyond the vision of doubt
There are certain things that are so true that they cannot be questioned
Some things I understand that I'm better off without
I have realized that there are certain things that I'm better off not having in my life
Like dingy walls painted clean
Just like how dirty walls can be made clean with paint, some things in life can be fixed or solved
Broken words unseen
Sometimes there are things that are broken or incomplete that we never get to see in the first place
I said maybe the world's as it should be and you disagreed
I had a perspective that the world is perfect as it is, but someone else disagreed with me
Bolder than Paradise and longer than goodbye
The feeling of carrying someone's name with you is stronger and more permanent than anything else
I carry your name around with me
I have a strong emotional connection to someone and cannot forget them
Like a wish I sometimes untie
Occasionally I let myself think of a life where things went differently with this person
Wide open spaces and amber waves of grain
I used to live in a place that was expansive and beautiful
That's where I used to live
I had a past that was very different from my present
In the kingdom of my youthful reign
I had a time in my life where I reigned supreme and had complete control
Before I was a prisoner to the silo
Now I feel like I'm trapped in a certain way of life
Walled into the shadows
I feel like I'm hidden away from the light and the good things in life
Shy to the sky
I'm too afraid to ask for the things that I really want in life
Like a spell I sometimes let fly
Sometimes I allow myself to think of a reality that might not come true
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BROCK PATRICK WALSH, SHANNON MCNALLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Smith
Such an incredible voice amazing songwriter! Great work Shannon
marinaeulalia
Love this, Shannon is the best!
sean sweeney
First time hearing this one, great tune. It’s got that classic late 70’s feel.
Rebecca H.
You and Rita Coolidge are soul sisters -- your slinky voice wraps around your ethereal lyrics like late golden afternoon sunlight.
walter pitt
This Track Rocks.
Johnny Nitro
Shannon McNally is so over talented... and so underrated. Babe status times ten. 😊😊❤👍