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.
Neighborhood
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a picture of thee boy next door
And I loved him more than words could say
Never knew it 'til he moved away
Faded pictures in my scrapbook
Just thought I'd take one more look
And recall when we were all
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Here's a photo of the neighborhood
Here's the corner where we stood
Here's a snapshot of dad's old car
Never got us very far
Faded pictures in my scrapbook
Just thought I'd take one more look
And recall when we were all
In the neighborhood
And all those friends
Where did they go, I don't know
All those friends we used to know
In the neighborhood
The lyrics to Vonda Shepard's "Neighborhood" are a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The song is about looking back at the past with longing and bittersweet memories of childhood experiences. The photo that is mentioned in the beginning of the song is representative of a time when things were easy and uncomplicated. A picture of a boy next door brings up feelings of love that were never shared, and only realized after he moved away. This is a common experience for many people - a missed opportunity for connection that can never be realized. The song is also about the importance of friendships and how they can shape the course of our lives. The lines "All those friends, where did they go, I don't know, all those friends we used to know" are a poignant reminder that people come and go in our lives, and the memories of those people often remain long after they've moved on.
The theme of nostalgia and longing is present throughout the song, and is reinforced by the repetition of the lines "faded pictures in my scrapbook, just thought I'd take one more look." This repetition gives the impression that the singer is holding onto these memories, almost desperately trying to keep them alive. It's a powerful reminder that our past experiences shape who we are, and that they are an important part of our identity. Overall, "Neighborhood" is a beautifully written song that captures the essence of childhood nostalgia and the bittersweet emotions that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's a photo I've been looking for
I found a photo that I was searching for
It's a picture of the boy next door
It's a photo of my crush who lived next door
And I loved him more than words could say
I was really in love with him
Never knew it 'til he moved away
I never realized my love for him until he left the neighborhood
Faded pictures in my scrapbook
I keep old photos in my scrapbook
Just thought I'd take one more look
I wanted to revisit the memories from the past
And recall when we were all
And reminisce about the times when we were all together
Here's a photo of the neighborhood
This is a photo of the area where I used to live
Here's the corner where we stood
This is a photo of the place where my friends and I used to hang out
Here's a snapshot of dad's old car
This is a photo of my father's old car
Never got us very far
It wasn't a very reliable car
And all those friends
And I miss all of my old friends
Where did they go, I don't know
I don't know where all of my friends from the past have gone
All those friends we used to know
I remember all of the friends that I used to have
In the neighborhood
When we all lived in the same area
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, JOHN SEMBELLO, MIKE STOLLER, RALPH PALLADINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jackiesnowangel
Every time I hear this song, I think of Billy and Ally and I get emotional. They should have let Billy live. After he was gone, the show was not the same. Though when he did appear as a ghost those few times, all the scenes together were touching.
Sherrie Brand
@Teagan Lulich
okee.
Guess I don't need to begin watching the series
FOR THE FIRST TIME !!
lololololol
🤣😋🤣
Teagan Lulich
I agree. I cried so hard when he came back as a ghost in the very last episode!!! :(((
wrllovemen
Agree. Didn't satisfy what the fans were eager to see. Which was Ally and Billy together. The whole set up in the first episode was that and the fact it never happened made the show lose its footing. If the actor that played Billy wanted to leave they shouldn't have made him have a illness at altered his persona. They should of let his character keep the boy next door view, divorce Georgia, Fell back involve with Ally. Had a few special episodes of dating and sex, then bam have him get hit by a car or something. Then Ally finds out she's pregnant with Billy's child and the show could evolve from their.
orp flo
Here cause I started binging Ally during the pandemic brought back good childhood memories and really comforted me. Whew nostalgia a helluva drug😭🥰
30 Plus and Counting
Ally Mcbeal was my favorite show in middle school. I haven't heard this song in forever. Glad I found it!!
benben85
I just finished re-watching this entire series over again...what a roller coaster of emotions! I miss this show. This was a great song to end the show with.. <3
Ian Henderson
Saw Vonda sing at the Coachhouse a couple of times. What a voice, truly reflects the spirit of Ally
Monika Popiel
to był mój ulubiony serial w przeszłości, był bardzo wesoły, serial z poczuciem humoru, każdy kolejny odcinek był jeszcze ciekawszy od poprzedniego. Oprócz tego oprawa muzyczna, która też mi się bardzo podobała.
xBEAUTIFULx3
i honestly wasn't going to give Ally McBeal a chance, buht i sure am glad i did. Ally && Billy's relationship made me tear up like a baby, this show was so worth my time and this song just goes with the series so well <3