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.
Venus is Breaking
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
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I bumped this man with one of my hips
Now I'm sad and I'm free again, he won't be coming back
Save my victory get this monkey off my back
It's snowing outside, it's a desert in here
It blows my mind how you disappeared
And I feel so strange, I need to love somebody whole
The sound of his name rocked me like a jungle in my soul
I'm just a girl who wants to have fun
You shined on my world like a burning sun
Life is a scream I cling to this dream
Venus is breaking in me
I kick the sand, get drunk again
I slap my hand, I'm in love with this man
And I feel so lame for getting sucked in this deep
You're a quagmire baby and you make me feel so cheap
You shined n my world like a burning sun
Well I could have sworn that you were the one
Life is a scream, I cling to this dream
Venus is breaking in me (she's breaking inside me)
Life is a scream, I cling to this dream
My love was the real thing
I paid this price one time before
My friends say he ain't worth it, but I'd pay even more
Venus is breaking inside of me
She dreams of a life that'll never be
The lyrics to Vonda Shepard's song, "Venus is Breaking in Me," are a reflection of a woman's struggle with the complicated emotions that come with love and heartbreak. The song expresses her longing for love, but also her pain and frustration at the same time. She has recently ended a relationship with a man who she had strong feelings for, but who is not coming back. The lyrics describe her trying to move on and seeking comfort in another relationship, but still feeling incomplete and unsatisfied. She acknowledges her mistakes and regrets but is still struggling to fully let go.
In the first verse, she talks about the physical moments she shared with the man, and how they only left her feeling even more empty and sad after he left. She refers to him as a monkey on her back, a metaphor for the burden he has given her. The second verse describes the emptiness and confusion she feels after his departure. She still has traces of feelings for him, and hearing his name still moves her.
The chorus speaks of her desire for love and happiness, but also her frustration and disappointment when she is unable to obtain it. She compares herself to Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, who is breaking inside of her. She clings to her dream of finding true love, despite experiencing heartbreak in the past.
Overall, the song is a raw and honest depiction of the pain and challenges that come with love and heartbreak. It shows how difficult it can be to move on from someone you had strong feelings for, and how even after the relationship has ended, their memory can continue to haunt you.
Line by Line Meaning
I kissed this man with one of my lips
I kissed this man with passion and desire
I bumped this man with one of my hips
I made physical contact with this man
Now I'm sad and I'm free again, he won't be coming back
I am both heartbroken and at peace since he will not return
Save my victory get this monkey off my back
I declare victory over this relationship and wish to move on
It's snowing outside, it's a desert in here
The world outside is in contrast with my emotional state
It blows my mind how you disappeared
I am in disbelief how he suddenly vanished from my life
And I feel so strange, I need to love somebody whole
I feel incomplete without the love of another person
The sound of his name rocked me like a jungle in my soul
The mere mention of his name triggers intense emotions within me
I'm just a girl who wants to have fun
I desire to enjoy life and have fun
You shined on my world like a burning sun
You illuminated my life and filled it with passion
Life is a scream I cling to this dream
Life is overwhelming and I hold onto the hope of love
Venus is breaking in me
My inner self is breaking due to the pain and heartache of love
I kick the sand, get drunk again
I engage in reckless behavior to cope with my pain
I slap my hand, I'm in love with this man
I am in love with this man despite the pain he caused me
And I feel so lame for getting sucked in this deep
I feel foolish for becoming so emotionally invested in him
You're a quagmire baby and you make me feel so cheap
You are a complicated and difficult person who makes me feel worthless
Well I could have sworn that you were the one
I believed that he was the person I was meant to be with
My love was the real thing
My love for him was genuine and authentic
I paid this price one time before
I have experienced heartbreak in the past
My friends say he ain't worth it, but I'd pay even more
My friends do not think he is worth the pain, but I am willing to endure it
Venus is breaking inside of me
My inner self is being torn apart by love and heartbreak
She dreams of a life that'll never be
I have dreams of a life with him that will never become reality
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind