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.
Hotel Room View
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And following your deepest soul
You look like you need some fun
I'm dying to sail into the sun
Dreamers ask what've I become
I can see that shoreline star
Pulling me to worlds so far
Away from judgment's own backyard
Away from judgment's own backyard
Why should I change for anyone?
Why should my chains break or come undone?
And I'll sing glory hallelujah I'm coming home
Baby don't rescue me, don't rescue me
'Cause I'm gonna be what I'm gonna be
Do you hear my melodies?
Do you hear my Van Gogh's cry?
Will it be my brother's purchase?
Even only when I die? Even only when I die
Why should I change for anyone?
Why should my chains break or come undone?
And I'll sing glory hallelujah I'm coming home
Baby don't rescue me, don't rescue me
'Cause I'm gonna be what I'm gonna be
I been up and down, I been all around
In the sky and baby on the ground
High as the sun, deep as the sea
Rain has been falling all over me
I want to live in harmony
I know what I need to be free
Baby, please don't rescue me 'cause I'm gonna be...
The lyrics of Vonda Shepard's song "Hotel Room View" touch upon themes of freedom, self-expression, and individuality. The opening lines of the song declare that above all things, love must be present, and that following one's deepest soul is essential. The singer then notes that the person she is addressing looks like they need some fun and that she herself is "dying to sail into the sun."
The lyrics then shift to a commentary on society's judgment and pressures to conform. The chorus asserts that the singer need not change for anyone, and that she will be what she is going to be. The second verse explores the idea of artistic expression and the potential for it to be misunderstood or co-opted by others. The song concludes with a declaration of the singer's desire for harmony and freedom, and an assertion that she doesn't need to be rescued, but rather allowed to be herself.
Overall, the song is a call for self-expression and an indictment of societal pressures to conform. It celebrates individuality and sees happiness as the product of living authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
Above all things there must be love
Love is the most important thing that should exist.
And following your deepest soul
Listen to what you truly want in your heart.
You look like you need some fun
You seem like you need to enjoy yourself.
I'm dying to sail into the sun
I really want to go and have an adventure.
Dreamers ask what've I become
People who have innocence or naïveté are wondering who I have become.
I can see that shoreline star
I see a guiding light that is pointing me to a faraway land.
Pulling me to worlds so far
It's taking me to another world which is far away.
Taking me and pulling hard
It's drawing me toward it with great force.
Away from judgment's own backyard
It's taking me away from the place where people are highly critical of one another.
Why should I change for anyone?
I shouldn't have to change myself to please others.
Why should my chains break or come undone?
I should break free from my limitations on my own terms.
And I'll sing glory hallelujah I'm coming home
I'll celebrate when I finally achieve my goal.
Baby don't rescue me, don't rescue me
Don't save me, I need to figure things out for myself.
'Cause I'm gonna be what I'm gonna be
I will become what I am meant to be.
Do you hear my melodies?
Do you listen to my songs?
Do you hear my Van Gogh's cry?
Do you understand my deep artistic expressions?
Will it be my brother's purchase?
Will someone only appreciate me after I am dead?
Even only when I die? Even only when I die
Will I only be valued after I pass away?
I been up and down, I been all around
I've experienced many things and gone to many places.
In the sky and baby on the ground
Both in the highest and lowest places.
High as the sun, deep as the sea
I've been to great heights and depths.
Rain has been falling all over me
It's been difficult for me lately.
I want to live in harmony
I want to be at peace with myself and others.
I know what I need to be free
I am aware of what I must do to be liberated.
Baby, please don't rescue me 'cause I'm gonna be...
Please let me figure things out on my own.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Henning
A really well produced song; luv it. C'mon over to Milwaukee, Vonda, so we can hear this one live!
Bryan Ariza
One of my favorites!