Sheppard's international hit single Geronimo was the Brisbane band's battle-cry, a super-sophisticated stadium pop anthem shot through with all the mixed emotions of being young. With this, the six-piece, formed around siblings George, Amy and Emma Sheppard, launched their debut album Bombs Away.
The Sheppard story starts two and half thousand miles from Brisbane in the tropical Pacific paradise of Papua New Guinea, where the family moved with their lawyer father. Music was in the air from day one: while dad blasted Cat Stevens in the house to get them out of bed in the mornings, mum sent them for lessons in piano and music theory. But their biggest influence was a music teacher at their Port Moresby school, Baruka Tau-Matagu, keyboard player of the legendary Aboriginal group Yothu Yindu and top session man for the likes of Janet Jackson and Madonna. From Tau the Sheppards picked up their love of harmony.
Sheppard came about by accident, back in Australia, in fact, when middle child Amy was studying for a music diploma and felt that one of her songs (working title *Cheese on Toast*) lacked a certain something. Brother George, then a drama student in Sydney, helped out on harmonies, and the pair realised they could write together. They added young composer and producer Jay Bovino, fresh from Sydney band Vienna Circus, and in the space of two months the trio Bovino / Sheppard / Sheppard had written 30 tracks. Brisbane musicians Michael Butler and Dean Gordon joined them on guitar and drums, with younger sister Emma on bass guitar. After trying out various producers, they finally hit upon one - Stuart Stuart of Analogue Heart Records - who let them be themselves. "With Geronimo," says Amy, "we kind of knew it was a hit. We wrote it in about two hours - there were so many hooks, and so many more hooks we could have added and didnβt.β
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2013, Sheppard were nominated for Best Independent Release for "Let Me Down Easy". At the 2014 ceremony, they were nominated for Album of the Year, Best Group, Best Independent Release, Best Pop Release, Song of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Best Video.
On 1 November 2016, "We Belong" was released.
Catalina
Sheppard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It isn't that hard to see
I think you ready, think you ready, think you ready for more
James Dean, you look like youβ²re bad for me
You're making skip the beat
Sophisticated and contagious and I'm ready for more
Youβ²re looking like fun, like fun, we can get away
Driving to the sun, to the sun on the interstate (ooh)
Youβ²re looking like fun, like fun, we can get away
You could be the one, be the onΠ΅ (ooh)
Driving to the sun, to the sun on the intΠ΅rstate
Oh, oh, oh, Catalina
Your hands, can't keep them on the wheel
β²Cause you like the way I feel
I got you begging, got you begging, got you begging for more
Full speed, I'm feeling the heat increase, you got me weak
And you know where that could lead
Oh, I see confetti, see confetti and Iβ²m ready to go
You're looking like fun, like fun, we can get away
You could be the one, be the one (ooh)
Driving to the sun, to the sun on the interstate (ooh)
Youβ²re looking like fun, like fun, we can get away
You could be the one, be the one (ooh)
Driving to the sun, to the sun on the interstate
Oh, oh, oh, Catalina
I'm drowning in your velvet sky
You give me sweet relief
You might just be my greatest high
You're looking like fun, like fun, we can get away
You could be the one, be the one
Driving to the sun, to the sun on the interstate
You could be the one, be the one
Youβ²re looking like fun, like fun, we can get away
You could be the one, be the one
Driving to the sun, to the sun on the interstate
You could be the one, be the one, go!
Ah, youβ²re looking like fun, like fun, we can get away
You could be the one, be the one
Driving to the sun, to the sun on the interstate
You're looking like fun, like fun, we can get away
You could be the one, be the one (ooh)
Driving to the sun, to the sun on the interstate
Catalina
Catalina
The lyrics to Sheppard's song Catalina depict a budding romance between the singer and their love interest, whom they believe is ready for something more. The singer perceives this love interest as being a rebel akin to James Dean, but still "sophisticated and contagious." The two of them embark on a spontaneous road trip ("Driving to the sun, to the sun on the interstate"), escaping from their everyday lives and going somewhere where they can be carefree and have fun. The singer is overcome with passion, likening their love interest to a drug ("You might just be my greatest high").
The lyrics are fairly straightforward and playful, catering to the fun-loving theme of the song. The use of automotive metaphors is significant in conveying the adventurous nature of the relationship, with the idea of being "driven" to new heights being a commonality in the romantic lyricism. The repetitiveness of "you could be the one" at the end of the verses establishes the singer's attraction to this person and their hope for a deeper connection. Additionally, "Catalina," as the title of the song, can be interpreted as a symbol of the freedom the two lovers experience during their getaway.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I know that youβ²re into me
I can tell that you have feelings for me
It isn't that hard to see
It's pretty obvious
I think you ready, think you ready, think you ready for more
I believe you're prepared for something more
James Dean, you look like youβ²re bad for me
You have a rebellious attitude like James Dean that could be a problem for me
You're making skip the beat
You're making my heart race
Sophisticated and contagious and I'm ready for more
You have a charming but dangerous aura and I'm willing to take the risk
Youβ²re looking like fun, like fun, we can get away
You seem like someone who's adventurous and we could escape together
You could be the one, be the one (ooh)
You could be the person I'm looking for
Driving to the sun, to the sun on the interstate (ooh)
Let's take a road trip and leave our troubles behind
Oh, oh, oh, Catalina
Oh, Catalina, the place where we could make memories
Your hands, can't keep them on the wheel
You're so distracted by me that you're having trouble driving
β²Cause you like the way I feel
Because you're enjoying my company so much
I got you begging, got you begging, got you begging for more
I have you wanting more of me
Full speed, I'm feeling the heat increase, you got me weak
We're both caught up in the passion of the moment and it's affecting us physically
And you know where that could lead
We both know we're headed towards something more intimate
Oh, I see confetti, see confetti and Iβ²m ready to go
I'm so excited that I feel like there's a party going on inside of me
I'm drowning in your velvet sky
Your presence makes me feel like I'm in a luxurious and comforting world
You give me sweet relief
Being with you is a relief from the stress and worries of everyday life
You might just be my greatest high
You could be the biggest thrill or excitement in my life
Writer(s): Tushar Apte, Amy Sheppard, Jason Bovino, Stephenie Jones, George Sheppard
Contributed by Kaelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@natk9438
Oh. My. Goodness. Best song this year! If you don't get album of the year I'll be livid.
Can't decide the best bits....
Others have said it already but far out Amy! Gonna have all us Aussie woman envious... Hotness! And the cheeky little ooh and the end of 'the one' is just gold.
The change at 1:52 gave me goosebumps in the good sort of way. So did the drums right at the end. Arrgh β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ the ending.
Oh and Emma... for the ppl who tell you to smile more perhaps refer them to 2:21 and 2:44. Looks like you're having an absolute blast π.
Seriously guys well done.
@sheppard
Pre-order our upcoming album 'Kaleidoscope Eyes' here! https://ffm.to/kaleidscopeeyes <3
@maxtonprinceton8101
i guess it's kind of off topic but does anyone know of a good site to stream new tv shows online ?
@adrienrandall9483
@Maxton Princeton Flixportal :D
@maxtonprinceton8101
@Adrien Randall thank you, I went there and it seems like a nice service :) I really appreciate it !
@adrienrandall9483
@Maxton Princeton You are welcome =)
@celvindicatorjr.8116
Okay, nom it's Amy's turn again to lead a songπ€©...Wonderful!!!
@naya896
All their songs make me want to drive down the road and feel the breeze through the windowπ¬
I love themβ€
@sheppard
Hell yeah!
@jessy__bla
GREAAAAAAAAT SOOOONG! π»
@sheppard
Thank you!