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.
Naivete
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
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Bad television, living in denial, I know
'Cause I don't wanna know
Wanna run, wanna fly
Let my illusions take me through the night
It's alright, wanna be the light
New York City, 1963
Poetry readings and bohemians
Now inspiration floats around me like a cloud, so loud
I can hear you sing like an angel
Merilee, Merilee, she takes forever
But she's always laughing, laughing about anything
I could be so happy
As long as my friends are hangin' around me
Are we all fast food and no introspection?
All done with mirrors, but no real reflection
I wanna live in my own little world
Where inspiration floats around me like a cloud, so loud
I can hear you sing like an angel
Naivete'...this world is lost on me
Naivete'...I don't wanna know anyway
I always pictured my life this way
As two women order their chardonnay
Sitting alone in some dirty cafe
Where inspiration floats around me like a cloud, so loud
I can hear you sing like an angel
The lyrics to Vonda Shepard's song "Naivete" convey a sense of disillusionment with contemporary American society. The opening lines of the song, "Is that all America? Bad television, living in denial, I know 'Cause I don't wanna know," suggest that the singer feels alienated from mainstream culture and unable to engage with it in any meaningful way. Rather than confronting the realities of the world around them, the singer chooses to escape into their own "little world" where they can surround themselves with creative inspiration and the company of their friends.
The image of the singer's birth in a "cardboard box" in New York City sets up a contrast between their humble origins and the artistic bohemian lifestyle they now inhabit. However, this sense of freedom and creativity is tempered by a feeling of isolation and dislocation from the wider society. The singer's desire to be "the light" and to live in a world where "inspiration floats around me like a cloud, so loud / I can hear you sing like an angel" suggests a longing for connection and a search for meaning that transcends the shallow consumer culture of contemporary America.
Overall, "Naivete" is a poignant exploration of the tension between individual creativity and societal conformity, between the desire for meaningful connection and the fear of disillusionment and disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
Is that all America?
Is American society really just defined by bad television and a reluctance to confront reality?
Bad television, living in denial, I know
I'm aware that a lot of popular television is shallow and that many people try to ignore unpleasant truths.
'Cause I don't wanna know
Nevertheless, I prefer to avoid facing these problems head-on.
Wanna run, wanna fly
I want to escape the harsh realities of life and live in a fantasy world.
Let my illusions take me through the night
I rely on my imagination to get me through difficult times.
It's alright, wanna be the light
I'm okay with this because I want to be a source of positivity for myself and others.
I was born in a cardboard box
I came from humble beginnings in a poor part of New York City.
New York City, 1963
I was born in one of the most tumultuous and significant years in modern American history.
Poetry readings and bohemians
My upbringing was defined by the artistic and intellectual community in which I was raised.
Now inspiration floats around me like a cloud, so loud
I am constantly surrounded by creativity and beauty, which fills me with wonder and joy.
I can hear you sing like an angel
This environment inspires me to create and perform music to the best of my abilities.
Merilee, Merilee, she takes forever
My friend Merilee is always slow to do things, but she enjoys life and laughs at almost everything.
But she's always laughing, laughing about anything
Her carefree attitude makes me happy and allows me to enjoy life more fully.
I could be so happy
When I'm surrounded by my friends, I feel immense joy and fulfillment.
As long as my friends are hangin' around me
Their presence is enough to keep me content, even in difficult times.
Are we all fast food and no introspection?
Do we as a society prioritize convenience and consumption over self-reflection and contemplation?
All done with mirrors, but no real reflection
We may think we understand ourselves and our world, but our understanding is always superficial and incomplete.
I wanna live in my own little world
I would prefer to create my own bubble of positivity and live in it.
Where inspiration floats around me like a cloud, so loud
In this world, I would be surrounded by beauty and creativity which would fill me with inspiration and joy.
I can hear you sing like an angel
This would inspire me to create music that is just as beautiful and uplifting.
Naivete'...this world is lost on me
I recognize that this worldview may be naive, but I'm content with it nonetheless.
Naivete'...I don't wanna know anyway
I don't want to learn about the harsher realities of the world, as it would destroy my idealistic view of life.
I always pictured my life this way
This idealistic view of life is something I have always held close to my heart.
As two women order their chardonnay
I imagine myself living a simple, comfortable life surrounded by close friends.
Sitting alone in some dirty cafe
Even in a seedy location, I would find joy in the company of my friends.
Where inspiration floats around me like a cloud, so loud
I know that their presence and the creativity that surrounds me would be enough to make me happy.
I can hear you sing like an angel
And I would be inspired to create music that captures the beauty and joy of this life.
Contributed by Cooper A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.