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.
Don't Cry Ilene (LP Version_
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And his mother's point of view
There was no disguise
He couldn't see through
Sometimes the little things
They don't seem so small
But they had a good thing...overall
Knew him the way you did
It's hard to say exactly why he left you
Maybe a change for good
Don't cry Ilene
There was a rainbow over here
He didn't see it from over there
Black and white are fine
But he's color blind
Watching over me
There must have been some kind of mystery
Because I wanted him too
But it was all wrong, all wrong
Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody
Knew him the way you did
It's hard to say exactly why he left you
Maybe a change for good
Don't cry Ilene
Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody
Knew him the way you did
It's hard to say exactly why he left you
Maybe a change for good
Don't cry Ilene, no don't cry
It's hard to say exactly why he left you
Maybe a change for good
Don't cry Ilene...oh no, don't cry
In "Don't Cry Ilene," Vonda Shepard tells the story of a woman named Ilene who is heartbroken after the man she loved left her. The song hints at some of the reasons why he left, but never fully reveals them. Ilene's love interest is described as having his father's eyes and his mother's point of view. This line emphasizes the idea that he was heavily influenced by his upbringing and family, and it suggests that he may have struggled with his own identity as a result. Despite his struggle, he and Ilene had "a good thing...overall."
The song emphasizes that Ilene knew him better than anyone else did. This knowledge did not keep her from being hurt by his departure, but it does give her a unique perspective on what likely led him to leave. Perhaps he left because he needed a change, or because he was struggling with his own sense of identity. Whatever the reason, Vonda Shepard urges Ilene not to cry over it, even though the pain she is feeling is likely still raw.
Overall, "Don't Cry Ilene" is a poignant reminder of the pain that comes with heartbreak, and the way that it can be impossible to fully understand why someone decides to leave. The song emphasizes the difficulty in reconciling the good times with the hurtful ones, and the way that people are often complex and multifaceted beings.
Line by Line Meaning
He had his father's eyes
His eyes resembled his father's.
And his mother's point of view
He shared his mother's perspective on things.
There was no disguise
He was always true to himself.
He couldn't see through
He was not perceptive in certain situations.
Sometimes the little things
The small details that often go unnoticed.
They don't seem so small
These small details can actually be very significant.
But they had a good thing...overall
Overall, they had a good relationship despite any flaws or imperfections.
Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody
No one else had the same connection with him as you did.
Knew him the way you did
You had a unique understanding of him.
It's hard to say exactly why he left you
It's difficult to pinpoint the specific reason for his departure.
Maybe a change for good
Perhaps his leaving was ultimately for the best.
Don't cry Ilene
Don't be too upset or too emotional.
There was a rainbow over here
There was beauty and happiness in their relationship.
He didn't see it from over there
He was unable to appreciate or recognize the good in their relationship.
Black and white are fine
Things in life can be simple and straightforward.
But he's color blind
However, he was not able to see the nuances and complexities of their relationship.
Watching over me
He was looking out for her.
There must have been some kind of mystery
There were unanswered questions and uncertainties surrounding their relationship.
Because I wanted him too
She also had feelings for him.
But it was all wrong, all wrong
Despite her feelings, it was clear that their relationship was not meant to be.
Don't cry Ilene, no don't cry
Don't be too upset.
Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.