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.
Serious Richard
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
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You taught me how to fly with my feet still on the ground
And you told me to be what it is that I was
No matter what all of the businessmen said
Serious Richard, why do you frown like you do?
Why do you think the whole world is after you?
Well, you're probably right and it's probably true about me, too
'Cause sometimes the world ain't sweet
Oh these days, when was it ever?
Maybe it's just this city hurts
Oh Richard, I love you worse
Serious Richard
I often recall the time in the doorway in Paris
The time of the broken sinks and the broken hearts
And the broken weeds that we tore apart
Thinking they were flowers, thinking they were art
We were so smart, Richard
We liked our love, we loved to live
Out in the streets we knew how to give
We were alive, happy to be alive
You don't know my memory lingers
Or the message of your fingers
Serious Richard, where did you go?
I never thought an ending we would ever know
Now it's so cold without your love
The lyrics of Vonda Shepard's song "Serious Richard" are about a narrator's relationship with someone named Richard who seems to have had a profound impact on her life. The name "Serious Richard" appears to be a tongue-in-cheek nickname for this person, who may be quite intense or serious in demeanor. The singer describes feeling lost before meeting Richard, and emphasizes how he helped her learn to "fly with [her] feet still on the ground." He encouraged her to be true to herself, rather than listening to the opinions of "all of the businessmen."
The lyrics become more abstract in the chorus, as the singer questions Richard's tendency to frown and assume that the "whole world" is after him. She admits that this may be true of herself as well, especially in today's world which she suggests is not always kind or sweet. However, she assures Richard of her love for him and remembers a time in Paris when they were both happy to be alive and in love.
Overall, the song appears to be a tribute to a relationship that changed the singer's life. The chorus hints at some underlying tension or disillusionment between the two, but the verses are full of fond memories and admiration for Richard's impact on her life.
Line by Line Meaning
I was so lost and you were so profound
I was confused and you had an incredible depth of understanding
You taught me how to fly with my feet still on the ground
You showed me how to stay grounded and stable while reaching for my goals
And you told me to be what it is that I was
You encouraged me to be true to myself
No matter what all of the businessmen said
You told me to ignore the opinions of others who were only focused on money
Serious Richard, why do you frown like you do?
Serious Richard, why do you wear such a stern look?
Why do you think the whole world is after you?
Why do you feel like everyone is out to get you?
Well, you're probably right and it's probably true about me, too
Perhaps you're correct and this may apply to me as well
'Cause sometimes the world ain't sweet
Because reality can be harsh and unforgiving
Oh these days, when was it ever?
When was the world ever truly perfect?
Maybe it's just this city hurts
Perhaps it's just this urban environment that causes pain
Oh Richard, I love you worse
Oh Richard, my love for you is even stronger
I often recall the time in the doorway in Paris
I often remember the moment in the Parisian doorway
The time of the broken sinks and the broken hearts
When things were falling apart and we were heartbroken
And the broken weeds that we tore apart
We pulled apart ugly plants, thinking they were pretty
Thinking they were flowers, thinking they were art
Mistakenly seeing beauty where there was none
We were so smart, Richard
We felt intelligent and clever
We liked our love, we loved to live
We enjoyed our love and were enthusiastic about life
Out in the streets we knew how to give
We were generous and giving to others in public spaces
We were alive, happy to be alive
We were alive and joyful about it
You don't know my memory lingers
You don't realize how long my memory of us together has lasted
Or the message of your fingers
Or the meaning of the touch of your hand
Serious Richard, where did you go?
Serious Richard, where have you disappeared to?
I never thought an ending we would ever know
I never imagined that we would come to an end
Now it's so cold without your love
Now life is empty and without warmth, since you're gone
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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