Lullaby
Shawn Mullins Lyrics


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She grew up with the children of the stars
In the Hollywood hills and the boulevard
Her parents threw big parties, everyone was there
They hung out with folks like
Dennis Hopper and Bob Seeger and Sonny and Cher

She feels safe now, in this bar on Fairfax
And from the stage I can tell that
She can't let go and she can't relax
And just before she hangs her head to cry
I sing to her a lullaby

I sing, everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Rockabye

She still lives with her mom outside the city
Down that street about a half a mile
And all her friends tell her
She's so pretty
But she'd be a whole lot prettier
If she smiled once in a while
'Cause even her smile looks like a frown
She's seen her share of devils in this angel town

But, everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye (dry your tired eyes)
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Rockabye

Ooh, ooh, ahh

I told her I ain't so sure about this place
It's hard to play a gig in this town and keep a straight face
Seems like everybody's got a plan
It's kind of like Nashville with a tan

But Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye

Everything's gonna be all right (I'll be your every)
Rockabye, rockabye (dry your tired eyes)
Everything's gonna be all right
Rockabye, rockabye
Everything's gonna be all right (I'll be your every)
Rockabye, rockabye (dry your tired eyes)
Everything's gonna be all right




Rockabye, rockabye, rockabye, bye, bye (ahh)
Bye, bye

Overall Meaning

The song "Lullaby" written by Shawn Mullins is a story about a girl who grew up in the Hollywood hills and the boulevard with the children of the stars. Her parents threw big parties where everyone used to hang out together with celebrities like Dennis Hopper and Bob Seeger and Sonny and Cher. However, now she feels safer in a bar on Fairfax and can't let go of her past life. She's seen her share of devils in this angel town but the singer assures her that everything's gonna be alright and he sings her a lullaby to comfort her.


The opening lyrics of "Lullaby" paint a picture of a girl who grew up in the limelight but is now seeking refuge from the glamour of Hollywood. By mentioning celebrities like Dennis Hopper and Bob Seeger and Sonny and Cher, Shawn Mullins sets the scene of a time and place associated with Hollywood's golden age. But despite growing up in such an environment, the girl is unable to find peace and is now seeking solace in a bar. The repetition of "Rockabye" provides the much-needed sense of comfort to the girl and assures her that everything's going to be alright. The line "She's seen her share of devils in this angel town," is a statement about the negative side of Hollywood that most people are unaware of.


Line by Line Meaning

She grew up with the children of the stars
She was brought up among the kids of celebrities


In the Hollywood hills and the boulevard
Her place of upbringing was in Hollywood, among the rich and famous


Her parents threw big parties, everyone was there
Her folks organized large parties and every important person was invited


They hung out with folks like Dennis Hopper and Bob Seeger and Sonny and Cher
They were friends with popular artists and actors including Dennis Hopper, Bob Seeger, Sonny, and Cher


She feels safe now, in this bar on Fairfax
She finds security at the Fairfax bar


And from the stage I can tell that
Being on stage at that moment, I can tell


She can't let go and she can't relax
She is tensed and unable to unwind


And just before she hangs her head to cry
She almost breaks down and cries


I sing to her a lullaby
I sing to her a comforting song


I sing, everything's gonna be all right
I sing that all problems will be resolved


Rockabye, rockabye
This is the chorus that goes with the lullaby melody


She still lives with her mom outside the city
She lives with her mother in the outskirts of the city


Down that street about a half a mile
The distance to her mom's location from the street is not so far


And all her friends tell her she's so pretty
People around her often laud her beauty


But she'd be a whole lot prettier if she smiled once in a while
Her beauty would be enhanced if she smiled more often than her norm


'Cause even her smile looks like a frown
Even when she smiles, her predominant look seems more like a frown


She's seen her share of devils in this angel town
She has had a nasty past in a city that supposedly houses angels


But, everything's gonna be all right
Regardless of her past predicament, things will turn out okay


Ooh, ooh, ahh
This is a sound effect in the song


I told her I ain't so sure about this place
I expressed my uncertainty about the safety of the environment


It's hard to play a gig in this town and keep a straight face
Maintaining composure while entertaining the audience in this locality is tough


Seems like everybody's got a plan
It appears everyone has something up their sleeve, a motive for being there


It's kind of like Nashville with a tan
The place resembles Nashville in a tanned, Hollywood style


Bye, bye
The song concludes with a short utterance




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Shawn Mullins

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Rufus Slothkowski

This is about a billion times better than the radio version by a long shot.

Dave Webb

Why does his recorded stuff mask what a talented singer he is?

Dave Webb

Your comment is hyperbolic and repetitive. But, yeah. This version actually makes me cry. Every time.

Ajey

Yes. No processing, no bullshit. Just the original version of the song that he wrote....and isn't corrupted by the business machine that pressed it onto a CD.

Becca s

This is pure, raw, brilliant talent!!

Robby Snyder

This is quite literally one of the best acoustic performances I've ever seen on YouTube... what MANIAC would give this a thumbs down!??!?

Weathered Souljar

One of the best acoustic live performance I have ever heard and seen. How can just one man create something so beautiful with just a guitar and that voice, what control. I am reminded of my college days, thank you!! better than the original version.

Jon Doeringer

@jonard2 ballovar He is. As I posted above, he met a woman in LA who told him about how her parents used to party with the stars. And it left her life a mess.

jonard2 ballovar

may i ask is he not the original composer and singer?? just asking

Jereth Khan

This is the type of musician who should be teaching the new generation.

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