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.
You Belong To Me
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch the sunrise on a tropic isle
Just remember that all the while
You belong to me
See the market place in old Algiers
Send me photographs and souvenirs
Just remember when a dream appears
I'll be so lonesome wothout you
Maybe you'll be lonesome, too
And blue
Fly the ocean in a silver plane
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Just remember 'til you're home again
You belong to me
Maybe you'll be lonesome, too
And blue
Fly the ocean in a silver plane
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Just remember 'til you're home again
You belong to me
Maybe you'll be lonesome, too
And blue
Fly the ocean in a silver plane
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Just remember 'til you're home again
You belong to me
The lyrics to Vonda Shepard's "You Belong To Me" speak of a certain possessiveness and desire to keep a loved one close, even when they are physically far away. The song takes the listener on a journey through different landscapes, from the Pyramids along the Nile to old Algiers, the jungle and the ocean, all while reminding the listener that they belong to the singer. It is a romantic and somewhat melancholic song, with the singer expressing feelings of loneliness and longing for their loved one.
The first verse speaks of watching the sunrise on a tropical island and seeing the pyramids along the Nile. The singer urges the listener to take in all of these incredible sights, but also to remember that they belong to her. The next verse mentions the marketplace in old Algiers, asking the listener to send photographs and souvenirs. Again, the singer reminds the listener that they belong to her and to remember her when a dream appears. The bridge speaks of how lonely the singer will be without her loved one and suggests that they may feel the same way. The final verse continues the theme of travel, inviting the listener to fly over the ocean in a silver plane and see the jungle in the rain. The song ends with the repetition of the refrain that the listener belongs to the singer, bringing the journey full circle.
Overall, "You Belong to Me" is a beautiful song about holding onto love, despite distance and the challenges of separation. It captures the feeling of a long-distance relationship, where romantic partners may be separated by physical distance or busy schedules, but their emotional connection remains strong. It serves as a poignant reminder that love can transcend time and place, and that even when we are apart, we can still belong to one another.
Line by Line Meaning
See the pyramids along the Nile
Look at the magnificent pyramids located in Egypt along the river Nile
Watch the sunrise on a tropic isle
Observe the beautiful sunrise on an island in the tropics
Just remember that all the while
Always keep in mind that no matter where you go or what you do, you will always belong to me
See the market place in old Algiers
Witness the marketplace located in the city of Algiers, which is known for its history and culture
Send me photographs and souvenirs
Send me items that remind you of your travels and experiences, like pictures and trinkets
Just remember when a dream appears
Remember me even when you are dreaming or fantasizing
You belong to me
You are mine and will always be mine
I'll be so lonesome without you
I will feel very lonely and sad when you are not with me
Maybe you'll be lonesome too
You might also feel lonely and sad without me
And blue
Feeling depressed and unhappy
Fly the ocean in a silver plane
Travel across the ocean in a plane made of silver
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Observe the jungle during rainfall when the flora is lush and green
Just remember 'til you're home again
Keep me in your thoughts until you are back home
Maybe you'll be lonesome too
You might also feel lonely and sad without me
And blue
Feeling depressed and unhappy
Fly the ocean in a silver plane
Travel across the ocean in a plane made of silver
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Observe the jungle during rainfall when the flora is lush and green
Just remember 'til you're home again
Keep me in your thoughts until you are back home
You belong to me
You are mine and will always be mine
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, Redd Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Bartelmes
...Vonda's "You Belong To Me" was used in Season 3 of "Ally McBeal"...Vonda was a virtually unknown musician at the time, and her music was featured continually on the show... the song was written in 1952 by Pee Wee King, Redd Stewart & Chilton Price & first recorded by Sue Thompson on Mercury's country label...but a cover version by Jo Stafford later that year is what rocketed the song into the Charts...since then it's been covered by dozens of singers...but the best cover is Vonda's ...
carol b
VONDA 's voice is awesome
Alexandra Victoria Madrigal
so great feeling of joy every time i listen to this version of vonda shephard..i love it...
Connie K
Awwwww Lyn....this is one of my all time favorite songs...your video has found a perfect spot in my Favorites! Thank you! :)
Cecilie Bue
what is it with this song? makes me happy, but also very nostalgic!!! LOVE IT ... the beautiful instrumental work, the lyrics, Vonda's voice....everything!!! sobbed so hard, when Billy died in Ally McBeal and the started playing this song!!
Deja Noel
Ah, this song is sweet and romantic ^_^ I love it so much
TheJanice49
My wife walked down the aisle to this song, Janice looked like a movie star and I'll never forget that moment..........Dangerous Davexxx
Renny Shelton
When Ally McBeal went off the air, I lost track of the best part of the show. Now thanks to you tube I've found her again. Thanks for the post, I needed this.
SmokyOwl
I've always liked this song, I thought Patsy Cline was the original, but now I'm not sure. So many have sung it, even Bob Dylan.
AccordionLadyMi
Beautiful video. Good choice of music. Wishing you a wonderful week. Fran