Shawn's voice varies widely standing out along with his rythym acoustical, electric guitar strokes. Shawn travels with his sound man and tour manager, Big Kip Conner.
Mullins's earlier work was influenced by acoustic and power-pop groups such as the Violent Femmes, The Producers and the Indigo Girls. However, his most significant and enduring influences are rock singer-songwriters like James Taylor and country musicians such as Kris Kristofferson.
He is known for playing many cover songs during his live performances, including "Copperhead Road" by Steve Earle as well as introducing some lighthearted, quirky elements into his song and stage elements.
Shawn Mullins released a new recording February, 2006, entitled "9th Ward Pickin Parlor."
In 2008, he released "Honeydew," which includes a new recording of the song "All in My Head" which was featured in an episode of "Scrubs." He supported Dar Williams on her Fall 2008 tour.
Lullaby
Shawn Mullins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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
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.