Vonda Shepard was born in New York but her family relocated to California when she was fairly young. She played piano from an early age. Her father is Richmond Shepard, a mime and improv actor. Vonda has three sisters: Rosetta, Luana, and Brianna. Her mother left the family when Vonda was ten, and her father raised the four girls by himself.
After performing as a backing singer for many years she was eventually given her own recording contract. Shepard's first chart appearance was in 1987 when she recorded a duet with Dan Hill entitled 'Can't We Try'. She released her first self-titled album in 1989 with little fanfare. The album did yield one chart single, Don't Cry Ilene, a mid-tempo, piano-driven jazz-RnB flavored song dealing with the break-up of a relationship between a black woman and a white man, arising from adult peer pressure. The track is sung from the perspective of the woman's white female friend, who harbors a desire to have the man for herself, but keeps her distance out of respect for her friend. The song peaked at 17 on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary chart and stayed on the charts for 12 weeks.
After her third album, Shepard was signed up to appear on Ally McBeal after being spotted by the show's creator David E Kelley. While on the show she recorded two full soundtrack albums and was featured on two other Ally McBeal compilations. The songs Shepard recorded for Ally McBeal soundtrack albums were mainly covers of old songs with lyrics that paralleled what was happening in the title character's life onscreen. Since appearing in the show, Shepard has released two more studio albums and a live album.
Shepard is married to music producer Mitchell Froom and they had their first child, Jack Froom, on 15 April 2006.
A New Marilyn
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little less righteous, she ain't quite the same
Walkin' the streets under the media moon
Silvery screen paints her sultry tune
She wears her lipstick outside of the lines
Picture on the cover of the New York Times
The mole on her cheek looks like her very own
She lives and breathes in a new Marilyn home
[Chorus]
A new Marilyn, a new Marilyn
Everybody's lookin' for a new Marilyn
Everywhere I go, everywhere I been
Everybody's lookin' for a new Marilyn
Where would she be after twenty-five years
What would she think if she were to hear
Everywhere you look there's somebody new
Trying to replace you, trying to replace you, Marilyn
[Chorus]
A new Marilyn, a new Marilyn
Everybody's lookin' for a new you know who
Everywhere I go, everywhere I been
Everybody's lookin' for a new Marilyn
A new Marilyn, a new Marilyn
Everybody's lookin' for a new you know who
Everywhere I go, everywhere I been
Everybody's lookin' for a new Marilyn
(Isn't this a great party?)
[Chorus]
A new Marilyn, a new Marilyn
Everybody's lookin' for a new you know who
Everywhere I go, everywhere I been
Everybody's lookin' for a new Marilyn
In Vonda Shepard's song "A New Marilyn," she references the iconic actress and cultural figure Marilyn Monroe. The song describes a new woman who is being sought after to replace Marilyn, as she has become a symbol of beauty, sensuality, and fame. The lyrics suggest that this new woman is not quite as righteous or pure as Marilyn, and is instead "walking the streets under the media moon" and living in a "new Marilyn home." The chorus repeats the idea that "everybody's looking for a new Marilyn" and wonders where Marilyn would be if she were alive today.
The lyrics are a commentary on the constant search for the next big thing in show business and popular culture. Marilyn Monroe was a breakthrough star of the 1950s and 60s, known for her beauty, talent, and tragic personal struggles. The song suggests that the pressure to replace her has continued even after her death, with new women being sought after to fill her shoes. The reference to a "Catholic name" implies that the new woman may be from a more religious or conservative background, which contrasts with Monroe's more controversial persona.
Overall, Vonda Shepard's song "A New Marilyn" is a reflection on the enduring legacy of Marilyn Monroe and the cultural fascination with fame and beauty. It raises questions about the pressures placed on women in entertainment and the challenges of living up to a larger-than-life figure like Marilyn.
Line by Line Meaning
Got one now with a Catholic name
She found someone with a religious name.
A little less righteous, she ain't quite the same
The new person is not as strict and different compared to Marilyn Monroe.
Walkin' the streets under the media moon
She is now getting attention from the media while walking on the streets.
Silvery screen paints her sultry tune
The screen displays her alluring image.
She wears her lipstick outside of the lines
She does not follow the typical beauty standards.
Picture on the cover of the New York Times
Her photo made it to the cover of the famous newspaper.
The mole on her cheek looks like her very own
She has a unique physical appearance similar to Marilyn Monroe.
She lives and breathes in a new Marilyn home
The new person's lifestyle resembles Marilyn Monroe's.
[Chorus]
People are always looking for a new person with Marilyn Monroe's charm.
Where would she be after twenty-five years
What would Marilyn Monroe's life look like after 25 years?
What would she think if she were to hear
How would she react if she hears about her replacements in entertainment?
Everywhere you look there's somebody new
Constantly, someone new tries to fill Marilyn Monroe's shoes in the entertainment industry.
Trying to replace you, trying to replace you, Marilyn
People are always attempting to impersonate her.
[Chorus]
People are always searching for someone who resembles Marilyn Monroe.
A new Marilyn, a new Marilyn
People desire a different Marilyn Monroe.
Everybody's lookin' for a new you know who
Everyone wants a replacement for Marilyn Monroe.
Everywhere I go, everywhere I been
The singer cannot go anywhere without hearing someone talk about a new Marilyn Monroe.
[Chorus]
People are always in search of someone similar to Marilyn Monroe.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL RUFF, VONDA SHEPARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind