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.
Every Now & Then
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
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No one knows how to live
He takes another drink of whiskey and says
No one knows how to give
He says everybody's lonely
And they love to talk about it
They say if I could have you only
You know I'd never doubt it
Every now and then you were in love with me
Every now and then you came to find me
Every now and then you'd be in love with me
Surprise, surprise it's me again
It's every now and then
My boyfriend's on the fringe
He says that I'm naive
He says this world makes him cringe
Sometimes he'd rather leave
My boyfriend's on the blink
He says he can't pretend
He's had too much to drink
And it's coming to the end
It's coming to the end
Every now and then you were in love with me
Every now and then you came to find me
Every now and then you'd be in love with me
Surprise, surprise it's me again
It's every now and then
Every now and then you'd be in love with me
Surprise, surprise look in my eyes
It's every now and then
Every now and then you'd get down on your knees
And cry to me, 'cause once again
It's every now and then
The lyrics in Vonda Shepard's "Every Now and Then" explore the complexities of relationships and the cyclical nature of love. The song begins with a pessimistic perspective on life, as the first verse features a man lamenting the inability for people to live or give fully. He then goes on to express the common sentiment of loneliness and the desire for someone to love. The chorus repeats the phrase "Every now and then you were in love with me," implying that love is not constant or consistent, but rather comes and goes in waves.
The second verse shifts to the perspective of the singer's boyfriend, who also seems to be struggling with the ups and downs of their relationship. He describes himself as on the "fringe" and expresses his desire to leave the world behind. The final lines of the verse suggest that his problematic behavior, likely influenced by alcohol, may lead to the end of the relationship.
Overall, the song highlights the ebb and flow of love in a way that is relatable and honest. It acknowledges the difficulties and imperfections of human connection, while also recognizing the beauty and magic of those moments where love is present.
Line by Line Meaning
He says everybody's crazy
He thinks everyone acts irrationally
No one knows how to live
People struggle to navigate life
He takes another drink of whiskey and says
He drinks to ease his worries and confides to the listener
No one knows how to give
People are self-centered and lack generosity
He says everybody's lonely
He believes most people feel alone
And they love to talk about it
People often express their loneliness
They say if I could have you only
They are willing to commit to a relationship
You know I'd never doubt it
They promise to be faithful
I'd never doubt it
They are emphatic about their loyalty
Every now and then you were in love with me
The singer reminds the listener of past romantic feelings
Every now and then you came to find me
The listener sought the singer's company occasionally
Every now and then you'd be in love with me
The listener had fleeting romantic feelings for the singer
Surprise, surprise it's me again
The singer shows up unexpectedly
My boyfriend's on the fringe
The singer's partner is an outsider in society
He says that I'm naive
The partner thinks the singer is too trusting
He says this world makes him cringe
The partner is disgusted by society
Sometimes he'd rather leave
The partner desires to escape society
My boyfriend's on the blink
The partner is falling into disrepair
He says he can't pretend
The partner can no longer dissemble
He's had too much to drink
The partner has been numbing the pain with alcohol
And it's coming to the end
The relationship is deteriorating
Every now and then you'd get down on your knees
The listener would plead for forgiveness
And cry to me, 'cause once again
The listener would also express profound emotional pain
It's every now and then
The listener periodically struggles with unresolved romantic feelings
Surprise, surprise look in my eyes
The singer makes another unexpected appearance and seeks eye contact
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MILLARD EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind