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
Isn't That Love?
Shannon McNally Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Passing time with a guitar it hurts to lay it down
I′ve been lost and saved and lost again
Those lonely white lines I've come to think of them as friends
Things rarely go the way I hope
I spend too much time ducking jabs up against the ropes
But all I really want in the end
And you're the loveliest I've ever seen
A sweet blueberry gonna whip your cream
Yes you′re the loveliest I′ve ever seen
My delta rogue you are lovely
What say you and me get lost for a while
Chase down that sunset at the end of that longest mile
Cause I was born to run you were born to my man
We'll take cover baby come on give me your hand
I just got off that mountain you know where I wanna go
Straight down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico
And when we hit the beach we′ll rent a little house
We'll lay in bed listen to the waves
We′ll live on water wine and weed
I ain't gonna let you out of my sight for weeks
And you′re the loveliest I've ever seen
A sweet blueberry gonna whip your cream
Yes you're the loveliest I′ve ever seen
My delta rogue you are lovely
Yes you′re the lovliest that I ever did see
Really love your peaches gonna shake your tree
Yes you're the loveliest that I ever did know
Sweet like sugar and pure like snow
The lyrics to Shannon McNally's Isn't That Love? explore themes of wandering, loneliness, hope, and love. The opening lines reflect the itinerant lifestyle of a musician, as well as the emotional attachment they develop with their instrument. The use of the phrase "it hurts to lay it down" indicates the deep emotional connection between a musician and their instrument, and the pain of having to part with it.
The second verse deals with the struggles and challenges of life, and the desire to be remembered as a good person when one dies. The line "I spend too much time ducking jabs up against the ropes" is a metaphor for the difficulties and setbacks encountered in life. The desire to be counted among the good guys in the end is a reflection of the human need for validation and affirmation.
The chorus, which is repeated throughout the song, is a love song, sung to someone who is clearly very dear to the singer. The use of vivid imagery, such as "sweet blueberry gonna whip your cream" and "really love your peaches gonna shake your tree," indicates the singer's intense physical attraction to the object of their love. This physical passion is tempered, however, by a deeper emotional connection, as evidenced by phrases like "delta rogue you are lovely" and "you're the loveliest I've ever seen."
Line by Line Meaning
And so it goes when you travel from town to town
Traveling from place to place is just how my life is.
Passing time with a guitar it hurts to lay it down
Playing music is my passion, even though it can be exhausting.
I′ve been lost and saved and lost again
Life has had its ups and downs for me, sometimes more than once.
Those lonely white lines I've come to think of them as friends
The road and I have gotten to know each other very well over the years.
Things rarely go the way I hope
I often find myself disappointed by how life turns out.
I spend too much time ducking jabs up against the ropes
I'm always trying to avoid getting hit by life's challenges.
But all I really want in the end
Despite life's difficulties, I just want to be remembered as a good person.
Is to be counted among the good guys when I′m laid to rest
When I pass away, I want people to remember me as someone who did the right thing.
And you're the loveliest I've ever seen
I think you're incredibly beautiful.
A sweet blueberry gonna whip your cream
You're sweet and I want to treat you well.
Yes you′re the loveliest I′ve ever seen
I can't emphasize enough how gorgeous I think you are.
My delta rogue you are lovely
You're a unique and captivating person.
What say you and me get lost for a while
Let's go on an adventure and forget about the world for a bit.
Chase down that sunset at the end of that longest mile
Let's work hard to achieve something great and rewarding.
Cause I was born to run you were born to my man
I feel like we were meant to be together and conquer life as a team.
We'll take cover baby come on give me your hand
I want to protect you from any harm, and I need you by my side.
I just got off that mountain you know where I wanna go
I've just come from a challenging experience, and traveling with you is what I want to do now.
Straight down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico
I want to take a journey with you and see amazing sights along the way.
And when we hit the beach we′ll rent a little house
Let's make a cozy home at the seaside where we'll be happy.
We'll lay in bed listen to the waves
We'll relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of life together.
We′ll live on water wine and weed
We'll be content with enjoying only the essentials in life.
I ain't gonna let you out of my sight for weeks
I don't want to lose you, so I'll be with you always.
Yes you′re the loveliest that I ever did see
I still can't get over how stunning I find you.
Really love your peaches gonna shake your tree
I find everything about you desirable, and I want to make you happy.
Yes you're the loveliest that I ever did know
There's no one in my memory who compares to your beauty.
Sweet like sugar and pure like snow
You're innocent, kind-hearted, and I have great affection for you.
Writer(s): Rodney Crowell, Beth Nielsen Chapman
Contributed by Jacob M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.