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
Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes
Shannon McNally Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Be the one to be your woman
Baby now you know you know I'd do
Anything in the world for you
To have the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Yeah, the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Yeah, the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Look up baby now you know damn well
Love you better than another girl will
Love you baby now you know I'd do
Anything in the world for you
To have the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Yeah, the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Yeah, the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Yeah, the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Late at night when I take my rest
Oh, I hold your pictures to my breast
Love you baby now you know I'd do
Anything in the world for you
To have the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Yeah' the lovin' in my baby's eyes
See the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Oh, lovin' in my baby's eyes
Love you baby, I love you baby
Baby now you know I do
Love you baby, love you baby
Do anything for you, yeah
Late at night when I take my rest
Oh, I hold your pictures to my breast
Love you baby now you know I'd do
Anything in the world for you
To have the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Yeah, the lovin' in my baby's eyes
See the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Yeah, the lovin' in my baby's eyes
See the magic in my baby's eyes
See the lovin' in my baby's eyes
Oh, I give anything, anything, anything
To see the lovin' in my baby's eyes
In Shannon McNally's song "Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes," the singer expresses her deep love and devotion to her significant other. She acknowledges that she will do anything in the world for him and promises to love him better than any other woman could. The chorus highlights her desire to have the loving look in her partner's eyes - the magic and affection that can transform her world. Even when she takes her rest, she holds his picture close, a constant reminder of her love for him. The song's final lines repeat the chorus, with the singer expressing her willingness to give anything to see the love in her baby's eyes.
At its core, "Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes" is a song about deep love and devotion. The singer is willing to do anything and everything to keep her significant other happy and to maintain their loving relationship. The song's lyrics also touch on the power of a loving gaze - the look in someone's eyes that can make everything right in the world. It's a beautiful sentiment, and one that's sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Look up baby now you know I can
I can be the one for you, just look at me
Be the one to be your woman
I am ready to commit to you and be your partner
Baby now you know you know I'd do
You can trust me, I would do anything for you
Anything in the world for you
I am willing to sacrifice anything for your happiness
To have the lovin' in my baby's eyes
I long to see the pure love and affection in your eyes
Yeah, the lovin' in my baby's eyes
That love and affection is everything to me
Look up baby now you know damn well
I can see that you know how much better I am for you
Love you better than another girl will
No one can love you like I do and I will prove it
Late at night when I take my rest
Even in my sleep, you are always on my mind
Oh, I hold your pictures to my breast
Your memories are so dear to me and I treasure them
Love you baby, I love you baby
I love you with all my heart and soul
Baby now you know I do
I truly and genuinely love you
Do anything for you, yeah
I will do whatever it takes to make you happy, always
See the magic in my baby's eyes
I am entranced by the special and unique love we share
Oh, I give anything, anything, anything
I am willing to give up anything to keep our love alive
Contributed by Camden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.