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.
Finally Home
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a light like a dawn
Drifting my way
Lately, I don't feel so alone
There's a harbour in my soul
And I'm finally home
But for right now, this is heaven to me
In my life I have weathered the storm
There's a harbour in my soul
Keeping me warm
Weightless, I am weightless as you spin me around
In my favourite dress
In my life I have drifted to sea
There's a lighthouse in my soul
And it is guiding me
Lately, I don't feel so alone
There's a harbour in my life
And I'm finally home
Vonda Shepard's song "Finally Home" is one of hope, growth, and self-discovery. The song is about finding a sense of permanence, belonging, and peace after wandering aimlessly, facing hardship, and experiencing isolation. Vonda sings: "Maybe I am finally home / There's a light like a dawn / Drifting my way." The opening verse suggests a newfound sense of direction, a light guiding her way home after years of wandering. The word "maybe" in the opening line implies some uncertainty, but as the song progresses, Vonda becomes more confident and assertive about her newfound sense of home.
Vonda's lyricism is introspective, addressing her soul and heart throughout the song. She sings: "Lately, I don't feel so alone / There's a harbor in my soul / And I'm finally home." The chorus is a simple and heartfelt declaration of the sense of peace and belonging she has finally found, grounded in her own soul. The idea of "weathering the storm" in the second verse is a powerful metaphor for the hardships and challenges she has overcome in life. She acknowledges the weight of her dreams but acknowledges that for right now, "this is heaven to me." This realization speaks to the importance of embracing and cherishing the moment and being grateful for what one has.
In the bridge, Vonda sings: "Weightless, I am weightless as you spin me around / In my favorite dress." This image paints a picture of freedom, joy, and celebration after a long period of wandering, isolation, and darkness. The final verse echoes the sentiment of the opening verse, emphasizing the importance of having a lighthouse to guide her through life. The closing chorus ends the song on a hopeful and contemplative note, suggesting that although challenges may arise and uncertainty may creep in, she knows she is never alone with the harbor in her life.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I am finally home
I am beginning to feel like I have found a place where I belong.
There's a light like a dawn
I feel like there is a new beginning, like the sunrise on the horizon.
Drifting my way
This new beginning is coming to me naturally, without me having to force it.
Lately, I don't feel so alone
I have been feeling lonely, but that is starting to change.
There's a harbour in my soul
I have found a place of refuge in myself, a source of comfort and safety.
And I'm finally home
This feeling of security and belonging makes me feel at home.
In my heart I still carry my dreams,
But for now, I am content with where I am and what I have accomplished.
But for right now, this is heaven to me
I am fully embracing my current situation as being wonderful and fulfilling.
In my life I have weathered the storm
I have gone through difficult times and hardships.
There's a harbour in my soul
Despite these challenges, I have found a place of calm and peace within myself.
Keeping me warm
This sense of safety and comfort is keeping me emotionally warm and content.
Weightless, I am weightless as you spin me around
I feel carefree and happy as someone spins me around, like nothing can weigh me down.
In my favourite dress
This adds to the happiness I am feeling, as I am wearing something that makes me feel good about myself.
In my life I have drifted to sea
I have been directionless and unsure about my path in life.
There's a lighthouse in my soul
Despite this feeling of being lost, I have a beacon of hope and guidance within myself.
And it is guiding me
This inner guidance is helping me find my way and make better decisions.
There's a harbour in my life
I have found a place of safety and comfort not only within myself, but also in my external life.
And I'm finally home
This sense of safety and comfort in both my internal and external life is making me feel like I have arrived home.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind