Vonda Shepard (born July 7, 1963) is a rock singer. She appeared regularly … Read Full Bio ↴Vonda Shepard (born July 7, 1963) is a rock singer. She appeared regularly in the television show Ally McBeal in which she played a resident performer at the bar where the show's characters drank after work. She plays piano, guitar, and bass.

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.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Vonda Shepard Lyrics

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Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore

Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay

From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow

So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Overall Meaning

In Vonda Shepard's version of the classic song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," she sings of finding joy and lightness in the holiday season despite the troubles and challenges that life may bring. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace the present moment and to appreciate the company of loved ones, as memories of good times past and the hope of a bright future unite us all during this special time of year. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as they call for a sense of merriment and ease: "Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light / From now on, our troubles will be out of sight." The song acknowledges the difficulties and hardships that come with life, but it also reminds us that the holiday season can offer hope and an opportunity for connection with others.

The second verse looks to the past for inspiration, referencing the "golden days of yore" and "faithful friends who are dear to us." The nostalgia and sentimentality of the verse remind listeners of the importance of traditions and the bonds that we share with those closest to us. The final verse, which looks to the future, recognizes that life is unpredictable, but encourages listeners to maintain a sense of hope and optimism: "Through the years we all will be together / If the fates allow / So hang a shining star upon the highest bough / And have yourself a merry little Christmas now."

Overall, Shepard's interpretation of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a reminder to cherish the small moments and focus on the positive aspects of the holiday season, even in the midst of difficulties.

Line by Line Meaning

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Wish yourself a joyful Christmas

Let your heart be light
Free yourself from worries and sadness

From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
From now on, we won't let our problems bother us

Make the Yuletide gay
Celebrate the festive season with cheer and happiness

Here we are as in olden days
We're gathered like we used to in the past

Happy golden days of yore
Remembering the happy times of the past

Faithful friends who are dear to us
Friends who we love and cherish

Gather near to us once more
Come close to us again, just like before

Through the years we all will be together
We'll all be together regardless of time

If the fates allow
If destiny permits us

So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
Hang a bright star on the topmost branch of the tree