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
It Could've Been Me
Shannon McNally Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it could have been me, oh, it could have been me And that strikes me like a baseball bat across my knees
One night my car broke down on the turnpike, I was stuck in Northeast Pennsylvania. It was after midnight and it was gonna snow, I didn't have nowhere to go. I thought to call for help but when the cars passed me by my cries fell silent. For how many times has the devil walked among us, wearing the face of the savior. So I headed out alone not sure whether to stay in
the light where I could see or in the darkness where they can't see me
Because it could have been me, oh, it could have been me
The lyrics to Shannon McNally's "It Could've Been Me" tell a chilling story of a friend who goes missing after a night out, likely abducted or harmed by an unknown predator. The singer, Joe, describes the events leading up to her disappearance and the fear and uncertainty that comes with not knowing what happened to her. The first verse sets the scene of the night in question, with Joe recounting how he was with his friend Flo just before she vanished. He suggests that she may have been taken advantage of by a predator or perhaps even killed. The second verse sees the singer reflecting on a time when they themselves were stranded and alone in a seemingly dangerous situation. Yet this experience also makes them realize how easily it could have been them, just like their missing friend. The refrain of "It could have been me" repeats throughout the song, underscoring the universal vulnerability that everyone faces, especially women, and how easily lives can be changed or taken away.
The lyrics of this song are undoubtedly gripping, resonating with listeners who have ever felt vulnerable or unsafe. The song's haunting melody and McNally's emotive vocal performance add to the sense of unease and impending danger that the singer feels. Interestingly, "It Could've Been Me" was the title track of McNally's first album, released in 2002, not long after the September 11 attacks. The song's lyrics have been interpreted by some as a commentary on the fragile state of America and the world in the wake of such a catastrophic event.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe have you seen my friend Flo, I was with her last night I thought it was all right for her to go.
I was with Flo last night, and I haven't seen her since. I thought it was safe for her to leave.
Put her in the car, guess she didn't get very far, cause they found her shoes and her purse by the off ramp.
I put her in a car, but she didn't make it too far; her shoes and purse were found near the exit.
Don't know why she stopped but I am sure she had a reason, some creep took it as chick open season.
I'm not sure why Flo stopped, but I know she had a good reason. Unfortunately, someone saw her as an easy target.
It doesn't look good, no it doesn't look good, I doubt she'll get up and walk out of those woods.
The situation doesn't look promising, and I highly doubt she'll be able to walk out of those woods safely.
But it could have been me, oh, it could have been me And that strikes me like a baseball bat across my knees
The realization that it could've easily been me in her position hits me like a ton of bricks.
One night my car broke down on the turnpike, I was stuck in Northeast Pennsylvania.
One night, my car broke down on the road in Northeast Pennsylvania, leaving me stranded.
It was after midnight and it was gonna snow, I didn't have nowhere to go.
It was past midnight, and I had nowhere to go while it was going to snow.
I thought to call for help but when the cars passed me by my cries fell silent.
I contemplated calling for help, but the passing cars ignored me, leaving me helpless.
For how many times has the devil walked among us, wearing the face of the savior.
There have been countless times where evil has disguised itself as good and walked among us.
So I headed out alone not sure whether to stay in the light where I could see or in the darkness where they can't see me
I decided to walk alone but was unsure if I should stay where I could see or hide where no one could see me.
Because it could have been me, oh, it could have been me
I couldn't shake the feeling that it could've easily been me in that vulnerable position.
And that strikes me like a baseball bat across my knees.
The realization that it could've been me hits me hard and leaves me feeling helpless.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SHANNON MCNALLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind