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.
I Shy Away
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What I don't know won't hurt me baby
Since I've known you, I can recall the old times
Wasn't that your face in my old photographs
Didn't we laugh and talk for hours baby
Really want to see you but baby
I shy away from your love
Don't you know what I'm going through
I shy away from your love
I should be loving you but I just shy away
I don't ask you about the girls in your life
'Cause what I don't know might hurt me baby
I don't question when something feels right
Always waiting for the right one
You say I should take my chances darlin'
I could fall in live with you but baby
(Chorus)
I shy away from your love
Don't you know what I'm going through
I shy away from your love
I should be loving you...
(Bridge)
I really want to share the love
Share the love to share to love
I really want to share the love
Share the love to share the love
Share the love
Always waiting for the right one
You say I should take my chances darlin'
I could really fall in love with you but baby
(Chorus)
I shy away from your love
Don't you know what I'm going through
(I don't you know what I'm going through)
Baby I shy away from your love
I should be loving you but I just shy away
(Chorus)
The song "I Shy Away" by Vonda Shepard is a poignant song about a person who is hesitant to pursue love, even when they have strong feelings for the other person. The lyrics express the singer's conflict within herself as she grapples with the fear of being hurt and the desire to love and be loved. The song explores the tension between fear and desire, vulnerability and strength, and the struggle to let go of past hurt and take a chance on love.
The opening line, "Since I met you, I've missed you all my life," captures the bittersweet feeling of longing and regret that often accompanies a deep desire for love. The singer acknowledges that she is afraid of getting hurt, and therefore keeps herself at a distance from the object of her affection. She is unsure of herself and her ability to handle the emotions that come with falling in love, and so she shies away.
Despite her fears and hesitations, the singer remains hopeful and open to the possibility of love. In the bridge, she declares her desire to "share the love" and take a chance on the person she loves. This internal struggle - between fear and hope, self-doubt and determination - is what makes the song so relatable and emotionally resonant.
Line by Line Meaning
Since I met you, I've missed you all my life
You have been instrumental to my life right from when I met you.
What I don't know won't hurt me baby
I believe that ignorance is bliss, so I don't want to know certain things that may hurt me.
Since I've known you, I can recall the old times
With you, I can reminisce about the good old times.
Wasn't that your face in my old photographs
I remember you even in the old photographs I have.
Didn't we laugh and talk for hours baby
We really enjoyed each other's company and would talk for hours whenever we were together.
Really want to see you but baby
I have a strong desire to see you again, but something is holding me back.
I shy away from your love
I am afraid to fully embrace your love or affection.
Don't you know what I'm going through
Do you understand the emotional struggle I'm facing?
I don't ask you about the girls in your life
I don't seek information about other women you may be involved with.
'Cause what I don't know might hurt me baby
If I find out something that I don't want to hear, it could damage our relationship.
I don't question when something feels right
When our relationship feels right, I try not to question it.
Always waiting for the right one
I am always hopeful for the right person to come along.
You say I should take my chances darlin'
You are encouraging me to take risks and go for what I want.
I could fall in love with you but baby
I am scared of falling in love with you, though I really want to do so.
I really want to share the love
I genuinely want to share love with you.
Share the love to share to love
Giving love leads to receiving love.
Baby I shy away from your love
Dear, I am still afraid to fully embrace your love or affection.
I should be loving you but I just shy away
I know I should be loving you, but I'm still hesitant.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GARDNER COLE, VONDA SHEPARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind