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.
The Man With the Bag
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
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The bells that'll tinkle all your troubles away
Everybody's waitin' for the man with the bag,
'Cause Christmas is comin' again.
He's got a sleighfull, that's not gonna stay-full
He's got stuff to drop at every stop on the way
Everybody's waitin' for the man with the bag,
He'll be here,
With the answers to the prayers that you made through the year
You'll get yours
If you've done everything you should, extra-special good.
He'll make this December, the one you'll remember,
The best and the merriest you ever did have
Everybody's waitin' for the man with the bag
Christmas is here again!
(music interlude)
Oh Mr. Kringle, is soon gonna jingle,
All the bells that'll tinkle all your troubles away
Everybody's waitin' for the man with the bag,
Christmas is here again.
He's got a sleighfull, that's not gonna stay-full
Got stuff to drop at every stop on the way
Everybody's waitin' for the man with the bag,
'Cause Christmas is here again.
He'll be here,
With the answers to the prayers that you made through the year.
You'll get yours
If you've done everything you should, extra-special good.
He'll make this December, the one you'll remember,
The best and the merriest you ever did have
Everybody's waitin'
They're all congregatin'
Waitin' for the man with the bag!
Better watch out now!
The lyrics to Vonda Shepard's song "The Man with the Bag" are a lively celebration of the holiday season and the anticipation of Santa Claus's arrival with his sleigh full of gifts. The song opens with the excited exclamation that "Mr. Kringle is soon gonna jingle," signaling the arrival of Christmas and the joyful ringing of bells that will accompany it. The lyrics go on to describe how everyone waits eagerly for the "man with the bag," who has a sleigh full of gifts that he will drop off at every stop along the way. The song then goes on to evoke the spirit of giving that is central to the holiday season, with the promise that Santa Claus will arrive with "the answers to the prayers that you made through the year" and will bring gifts to those who have been "extra-special good." The song ends with the festive declaration that "Everybody's waitin' / They're all congregatin' / Waitin' for the man with the bag!"
While the lyrics to "The Man with the Bag" are fairly straightforward in their celebration of the holiday season and the anticipation of Santa Claus's arrival, the song has become a beloved classic in part because of its catchy and upbeat melody. The song has been covered by a number of artists over the years, including Kay Starr, who first recorded the song in 1950, as well as contemporary artists like Jessie J and She & Him. The song has also been featured in a number of holiday-themed movies and TV shows, including the animated series "Frosty the Snowman" and the film "Elf." Ultimately, "The Man with the Bag" is a joyful and celebratory anthem that captures the magic and excitement of the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Mr. Kringle, is soon gonna jingle,
Christmas is fast approaching, and with it, the arrival of Mr. Kringle, also known as Santa Claus, who will bring joy and happiness
The bells that'll tinkle all your troubles away
The ringing of the bells will bring an end to all the difficulties and worries of the previous year
Everybody's waitin' for the man with the bag,
Everyone is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus carrying his bag of presents
'Cause Christmas is comin' again.
The festive season is once again upon us, and Christmas is just around the corner
He's got a sleighfull, that's not gonna stay-full
Santa Claus is carrying a sleigh full of presents for all the children, and he won't stop until every gift has been delivered
He's got stuff to drop at every stop on the way
Santa Claus has a gift for every child, and he will make sure to drop it off at their doorstep
He'll be here,
Santa Claus will soon be here to spread joy and happiness during the festive season
With the answers to the prayers that you made through the year
Santa Claus will bring the gifts that children have been wishing for and dreaming about throughout the year
You'll get yours
Every child who has been good throughout the year will receive a gift from Santa Claus
If you've done everything you should, extra-special good.
Children who have truly been good, going above and beyond, will receive an extra-special gift from Santa Claus
He'll make this December, the one you'll remember,
Santa Claus will make this December a month to remember, filled with happy memories and joyous moments
The best and the merriest you ever did have
This will be the best and most cheerful Christmas you have ever experienced
Everybody's waitin' for the man with the bag
Everyone is excitedly waiting for Santa Claus and his bag of presents
They're all congregatin'
People are starting to gather together in anticipation of the arrival of Santa Claus
Waitin' for the man with the bag!
Everyone is eagerly waiting for Santa Claus and his bag of presents to arrive
Better watch out now!
Children who have been naughty throughout the year should be warned that they may not receive any gifts from Santa Claus
Contributed by Riley C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.