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.
Tell Him
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've gotta want it bad
If that guy's got into your blood
Go out and get him
If you want him to be the very part of you
That makes you want to breathe
Here's the thing to do
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now
I know something about love
You gotta show him it and make him
See that moon up above
Reach out and get it
If you want him to
Make your heart sing out
And if you want him to
Only think of you
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now
Ever since the world began it's been that way
For woman and man were created
To make love their destiny
Then why should true love be so complicated? Oh
I know something about love
You gotta take it and
Show him what the world is made of
One kiss will prove it
If you want him to be
Always by your side
Take his hand tonight
Swallow your foolish pride and
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now
In Vonda Shepard's song "Tell Him," the lyrics offer an advice-oriented approach to love. The song encourages the listener to pursue love actively and with intensity. The song begins by saying that love requires desire and energy, and once someone has love in their blood, they need to go out and get the person they love. The singer conveys that love requires effort and dedication, and that one must demonstrate their love and desire through actions.
The chorus reinforces the message that one must vocalize their love for the person they care about. The lyrics repeat "Tell him that you're never gonna leave him / Tell him that you're always gonna love him" and stresses the importance of communicating those sentiments immediately. Shepard emphasizes that women and men are created to make love their destiny and notes that true love should not be complicated. The song concludes by urging the listener not to hesitate but to convey their feelings and take initiative to show their love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tell Him" encourage a bold, strong approach to love, stressing the importance of actively pursuing and communicating feelings for someone. It emphasizes the message of honesty and clarity, where communication plays a vital role in obtaining your objective of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I know something about love
The singer has knowledge and experience with love.
You've gotta want it bad
You must have a strong desire for love to achieve it.
If that guy's got into your blood
If you're deeply infatuated with a guy.
Go out and get him
Take action to pursue the person you love.
If you want him to be the very part of you
If you want him to become an essential part of your life and being.
That makes you want to breathe
To the point where he is as important to you as breathing.
Here's the thing to do
The singer is offering advice on what to do to achieve that love.
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Conveying a promise to stay devoted and committed to the person.
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Conveying a promise to always love, cherish, and honor the person.
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now
Reinforcing the importance of expressing these feelings immediately.
If you want him to make your heart sing out
If you want him to fill your heart with happiness and joy.
And if you want him to only think of you
If you want him to think of you as his one and only love.
See that moon up above, reach out and get it
The singer is using a metaphor to encourage the listener to take action to get the love they desire.
Ever since the world began it's been that way
Highlighting the historical precedent of men and women seeking and finding true love.
For woman and man were created to make love their destiny
To suggest that love is a fundamental part of human nature and should be pursued.
Then why should true love be so complicated? Oh
Expressing the artist's frustration with the difficulties of finding and maintaining true love.
You gotta take it and show him what the world is made of
Demonstrating to him the depth and beauty of love and what it can offer.
One kiss will prove it
Highlighting the power of a single kiss in demonstrating love.
If you want him to be always by your side
If you want him to be a constant presence in your life.
Take his hand tonight, swallow your foolish pride and
Encouraging the listener to take a bold step towards achieving the love they desire.
Tell him that you're never gonna leave him
Conveying a promise to stay devoted and committed to the person.
Tell him that you're always gonna love him
Conveying a promise to always love, cherish, and honor the person.
Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now
Reinforcing the importance of expressing these feelings immediately.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARLTON BLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
brendonwife (Rena Sumeragi)
Brilliant show - the characters, the actors, the music, EVERYTHING!
tuneaddicted Colorado
Totally agree, the music really added to its excellence
Larry Chuanico
Better than Justin Boober
Hans Christian Rodríguez
How MUCH I miss this tv show :-( I want Ally back!
Fiona Messenger
A bit naff after the first series. The music was always good though
Néolia
Orange is the new black - serie ;-)
jdewitt77
+Hans Christian Rodríguez One of my favorites too.
thedoctor693
me too
Carol perara
Hans Christian Rodríguez ME TOO!! I looooove that show!! The best!!
飴ゆみ
アリーといえばこれ…!パワフル✨