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
I'll Always Be Around
Shannon McNally Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But life just isn't like that at least not mine
There's no need for hello, little reason for goodbye
I never need to miss you cause you're always on my mind
No exchanging numbers or promises to write
I know I'll see you somewhere, sometime
I'll always be around
When you're running down
I'll always be around
It's too much like confession to say your name out loud
So I guard our little mystery by leaving things out
If you want me just whistle put your lips together and blow
I know I'll see you somewhere but where I just don't know
I'll always be around
When you're running down
You can call me out
I'll always be around
I think that we've got a bond that's too good to be true yeah
I'll always be around
When you're running down
You can call me out
I'll always be around
In Shannon McNally's song "I'll Always Be Around," the lyrics speak to a sense of connection and loyalty between two individuals. The singer expresses a desire to always have the other person by their side, but acknowledges that life is unpredictable and doesn't always allow for that. Despite this, there is a sense of comfort in knowing that the other person is always on their mind and that they will see each other again, even if the exact time and place is unknown. The lyrics also hint at a sense of intimacy and closeness between the two, as the singer guards their "little mystery" and doesn't need to say the other person's name out loud.
Overall, the song seems to be about a deep connection between two people that transcends physical distance and time. The sense of comfort and loyalty that the singer expresses towards the other person is heartwarming and speaks to the importance of human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd love to have you with me almost all the time
I wish you could be with me almost constantly
But life just isn't like that at least not mine
Unfortunately, that's not how life works, at least not in my experience
There's no need for hello, little reason for goodbye
I don't need to say hello or goodbye, since we are always connected in some way
I never need to miss you cause you're always on my mind
I don't miss you because you are always in my thoughts
No exchanging numbers or promises to write
We don't need to exchange contact information or promise to keep in touch because our bond is already strong
I know I'll see you somewhere, sometime
I am confident that I will see you again, though I don't know when or where
I'll always be around
I will always be there for you
When you're running down
When you are feeling low or in trouble
You can call me out
You can reach out to me for help or support
It's too much like confession to say your name out loud
Saying your name out loud feels like confessing a secret, so I am careful not to do it
So I guard our little mystery by leaving things out
To preserve our special connection, I intentionally omit some details
If you want me just whistle put your lips together and blow
If you need me, just give me a signal and I will be there
I think that we've got a bond that's too good to be true yeah
I believe that our bond is incredibly strong and almost unbelievable
I'll always be around
I will always be there for you
When you're running down
When you are feeling low or in trouble
You can call me out
You can reach out to me for help or support
I'll always be around
I will always be there for you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HUNTER, SHANNON MCNALLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dlhippie58
I can watch this over and over, perfection❤❤
@LL-fo3nf
Beautiful
@robertmacfarlane8792
I always knew that you were, AND ARE IMMENSELY TALENTED. From the first time that I HEARD YOUR MUSIC ON WDST ( Woodstock), and then had the pleasure of hearing and seeing you in person. STAY STRONG, and keep up the great work.
@Kevin-ie7vi
Perfect start for my mornin. Thanks Shannon
@seansweeney8588
I’m continuously surprised of your extensive talent. Great song , composition,singing,music and video
@pazoo25
This video renews the freshness of this song, reminding how good it always was. Timeless splendor. Yes, indeed!
@LuckyDejardin
I love that song. Happy you made this video for it.