Colvin's formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age of 10. Her first public concert was at age 15 at the University of Illinois campus. Colvin cites Joni Mitchell as a primary influence on her music, and her initial performances closely mirrored Mitchell's inflections and guitar tunings.
Colvin began working in the music scene in earnest in the late 1970s, first in Austin, Texas and then nationally. She met music partner John Leventhal during this time; Leventhal would go on to be Colvin's producer on several albums. Colvin often lends her talent to contemporaries in the music business - she can be heard singing the backing vocals on the Suzanne Vega hit, "Luka" from 1987. Vega returned the favor, singing backup on Colvin's, "Diamond In The Rough", from her debut album, "Steady On". Colvin, again can be heard singing backing vocals on Mary Chapin Carpenter's, "The Hard Way" and "Come On Come On" and Mary Chapin returns the favor on Colvin's, "Climb On (A Back That's Strong)", from Colvin's "Fat City" album.
Colvin's first several albums were met with critical acclaim, but did not sell in substantial numbers. After several albums of original work, Colvin released "Cover Girl", a collection of cover songs, but the work was a departure for her and was not well received.
Colvin experienced breakthrough success with "A Few Small Repairs" in October of 1996. The single "Sunny Came Home" reached the US Top Ten, and won Grammy Awards for Song and Record of the Year. She has released several subsequent albums that were nominated for Grammys, and has also released a greatest-hits album and a collection of Christmas music.
A new album from Colvin, entitled "These Four Walls", was released on September 12, 2006.
She was the guest vocal artist on the Lisa Loeb single "Falling in Love" as well as appearing at various Lilith Fair music festivals. She also has been featured on the popular live music show Austin City Limits and played at the 2003 Austin City Limits Music Festival. She also appeared in a tribute to her idol Joni Mitchell in 2001 that was broadcast on the cable network TNT.
She has made two guest appearances on The Simpsons as Rachel Jordan, lead singer for a Christian rock band. She first appears in "Alone Again, Natura-diddly," where Rachel wins Ned Flanders' heart after the untimely death of his wife, Maude. Later, in the episode "I'm Going to Praiseland," Ned dates Rachel, only to scare her off when he tries to turn her into a version of Maude.
Colvin lives with her daughter, Caledonia, and husband, Mario Erwin in Austin, Texas, and still participates in the Austin music scene.
You and the Mona Lisa
Shawn Colvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anything that you see
I should walk away right now
I'll be there so never mind
I'll be the one to fall
Waiting for you to look up at me
Oh I love you the most
Always giving up the ghost
You're a sweet mystery
There is nothing in between
You and the Mona Lisa
Nothing in particular
And everything in between
This is what you mean to me
Only you and only me
Climbing in the right direction
On the way to everything
We were walking up high
And no one thought to try
But I was the one to blame
And it was just a mirage
So I hid in the garage
'Til somebody called your name
Oh I love you the most
Always giving up the ghost
In your own private conversation
You're a sweet mystery
And there's nothing in between
You and the Mona Lisa
Nothing in particular
Just you and the Mona Lisa...
The lyrics to Shawn Colvin's song You and the Mona Lisa convey emotions of love and admiration for someone who is elusive and mysterious. The singer is willing to be held down to anything just to be close to the person they love. They express their willingness to be the one to fall and wait patiently for their attention. The Mona Lisa is used as a symbol of this person's mysteriousness, as there is nothing in between them and the painting, just like there is nothing in between them and this person.
The singer describes how this person is a sweet mystery to them, and there is nothing in between them and this person. They feel as though they are climbing in the right direction towards everything because of their love for this person. However, there is a hint of conflict and uncertainty in the lyrics. The singer acknowledges that sometimes things seem like they are going well, but they turn out to be a mirage. They hide away, waiting for the person they love, but they may not even come. The lyrics imply that the person the singer loves is hard to understand and so wrapped up in their own private conversation that they might not even notice the singer's love for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold me down to anything
I am willing to commit to anything that you ask me to do
Anything that you see
I will follow your lead, regardless of what path you choose to take
I should walk away right now
I am aware that leaving this situation would be best for me, but I cannot bring myself to do so
I'll be there so never mind
Even though I know I should leave, I will stay by your side regardless
I'll be the one to fall
I am prepared to take a risk and potentially face rejection for the sake of this relationship
Waiting for you to look up at me
I am longing for your attention and validation towards me
Oh I love you the most
My love for you is profound and unmatched
Always giving up the ghost
I am constantly sacrificing my own desires and needs for yours
In your own private conversation
You are guarded and inaccessible, even within our relationship
You're a sweet mystery
I am consistently drawn towards wanting to understand and know more about you
There is nothing in between
There is no one that can come between the connection and intimacy that we share
You and the Mona Lisa
Your beauty and complexity are just as captivating as that of the iconic masterpiece
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LEVENTHAL, JOHN B. LEVENTHAL, SHAWN COLVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesus Christ Loves You
This (very underrated) song, is a real musical-gem.
Jay B
It's hard to believe that this song is over 20 years old. I remember hearing it on the radio.
Lockon Stratos
I played it for you
Maximum Tyranny
There were some really great songs from the mid 90s, this is definitely one of them.
Cj Smart
This and "Sunny Came Home."
Lockon Stratos
Maximum Tyranny for sure
Signals 1982
It's a 90's classic.
ex-NFL fan
Great song.
Darcy Marie TCB
Oh how I loved this song back in the 90's!!! Going down memory lane.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Let Freedom Ring
I think that it's her best song. It's brilliant.