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.
To Sir
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And as I leave I know that I am leaving my best friend
A friend who taught me right from wrong and weak from strong
That's a lot to learn, but what can I give you in return?
If you wanted the moon I would try to make a start
But I would rather you let me give my heart 'To Sir, With Love'
But in my mind I know they will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn't easy, but I'll try
If you wanted the sky I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high 'To Sir, With Love'
The song “To Sir with Love” by Vonda Shepard featuring Al Green is a soulful rendition of the original song by Lulu, featuring a mix of soothing pop and soulful vibes. The lyrics of the song convey heartfelt gratitude and an emotional farewell to a teacher who has been instrumental in shaping the persona and character of the singer.
The song speaks about the end of an era - the days of childhood and innocence, and the transition into adulthood. The singer acknowledges the end of the school phase and says goodbye to a teacher who had been instrumental in shaping the singer’s values, ethics, and worldview. The song goes on to describe the singer's deep sense of gratitude to the teacher, whose teachings helped them differentiate between right and wrong and strong and weak. The singer acknowledges that these lessons are invaluable and recognizes the worth of the teacher's knowledge with the lyric, “That's a lot to learn, but what can I give you in return?”
The song's chorus is a remarkable dedication to the teacher, wherein the singer pledges to offer their heart as a token of appreciation. The singer conveys that even though the teacher could ask for the moon, the presenter offers their heart instead, with the lyrics, “If you wanted the moon, I would try to make a start, but I would rather you let me give my heart 'To Sir, With Love'.” Overall, the song speaks about the end of an era and a personal farewell that is emotional, grateful, and full of respect and admiration for the impact this teacher has made on the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
The time has come for closing books and long last looks must end
The end of a chapter is fast approaching, and it's time to bid farewell.
And as I leave I know that I am leaving my best friend
The person being bid farewell is more than just a mere acquaintance, they are a dear friend.
A friend who taught me right from wrong and weak from strong
The person being bid farewell was instrumental in shaping the individual's character by imparting valuable life lessons.
That's a lot to learn, but what can I give you in return?
The level of gratitude towards the person being bid farewell is immense and the individual feels unable to reciprocate it adequately.
If you wanted the moon I would try to make a start
The person being bid farewell means the world to the individual, and they would go to great lengths to try and fulfill even the most unattainable of their wishes.
But I would rather you let me give my heart 'To Sir, With Love'
The most precious gift the individual can give is a heartfelt expression of thanks, through the phrase 'To Sir, With Love'.
Those schoolgirl days of telling tales and biting nails are gone
The past is long gone, and the person being bid farewell was there to guide the individual through it all.
But in my mind I know they will still live on and on
Memories of the past will always linger on in the individual's mind.
But how do you thank someone who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
The person being bid farewell has played an integral role in the individual's growth and development--from childhood innocence to adulthood sophistication.
It isn't easy, but I'll try
The individual acknowledges that expressing their gratitude is not a simple task, but they nevertheless vow to try.
If you wanted the sky I would write across the sky in letters
The level of gratitude the individual feels is limitless, and they would go as far as to write it across the sky if need be.
That would soar a thousand feet high 'To Sir, With Love'
The individual's gratitude and appreciation would soar to great heights with the simple phrase 'To Sir, With Love'.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DON BLACK, MARK LONDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kim R Music
The time has come
For closing books and long last looks must end
And as I leave
I know that I am leaving my best friend
A friend that taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong
That’s a lot to learn
But what can I give you in return
If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a start
But I
Would rather you let me give my heart
To Sir with love
Those schoolgirl days
Of telling tales and biting nails are gone
But in my mind
I know they will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume
It isn’t easy but I’ll try
If you wanted the sky
I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
To sir with love
TDSouledOut1
Amazing vocal chemistry. Bless the genius who married these SOUL legends. Please, PLEASE give us more.
David G
Love this version. The two of them are so great together.
Andrew J Wheeler Jr Wheeler
Beautiful duet love it.
1canyonguy
Vondas choices of material are among many of my favorites more then any other performers that I have so far.
Mikołaj Tyczyński
Al Green is one of the best singers in history!!
KofWands2QofCups
My favorite version!! Love this!
James Hedman
Vonda sings like an angel but most of all I love her personality. I discovered her years ago doing an ad on tv with Smokey Robinson and I was hooked!
luiz ribeiro
Ótima interpretação de Al Green e Vonda, Magnifico.
Fakeman Fakemamam
Love this version
marcos de carvalho costa
Lindo. Ambos são demais. muito bonito. Esta música habitou em mim uma certa época de minha vida, e traz-me grandes lembranças, todas maravilhosas.