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.
searchin my soul
Vonda Shepard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's painted by pride
And I have made mistakes in my life
That I just can't hide
Oh I believe I am ready for what love has to bring
Got myself together, now I'm ready to sing
I've been searchin' my soul tonight
I know there's so much more to life
To find my way back home
One by one, the chains around me unwind
Every day now I feel that I can leave those years behind
Oh I've been thinking of you for a long time
There's a side of my life where I've been blind and so...
I've been searchin' my soul tonight
I know there's so much more to life
Now I know I can shine a light
Everything gonna be alright
I've been searchin' my soul tonight
Don't want to be alone in life
Now I know I can shine a light
To find my way back home
Baby I been holding back now my whole life
I've decided to move on now
Gonna leave all my worries behind
Oh I belive I am ready for what love has to give
Got myself together now I'm ready to live
I've been searchin' my soul tonight
I know there's so much more to life
Now I know I can shine a light
Everything gonna be alright
I've been searchin' my soul tonight
Don't want to be alone in my life
Now I know I can shine a light
To find my way back home
(Repeat Chorus)
In "Searchin' My Soul," Vonda Shepard expresses her need for something more in life. She acknowledges that she has made mistakes in her past and has been walking a path defined by her pride. However, she is now ready for love and whatever it may bring. She feels like she has finally got her life together and is now ready to sing, symbolizing her readiness to move forward with her life. Shepard admits that she has been blind to a lot in her life and has been holding back, but now she is ready to move on and leave her worries behind. She believes that everything will be alright and wants to find her way back home.
The lyrics are very relatable and speak to the universal human desire for something more in life. The song encourages listeners to examine their own lives and seek out whatever is missing. The soulful melody and Shepard's powerful vocals add to the emotional impact of the lyrics, making it a truly moving song.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been down this road walkin' the line
I have traveled this path while trying to maintain my values and principles.
That's painted by pride
The decisions I have made have been influenced by my own sense of self-worth and dignity.
And I have made mistakes in my life
I have not always made the right decisions.
That I just can't hide
I cannot conceal the fact that I have made mistakes.
Oh I believe I am ready for what love has to bring
I have faith that I am capable of experiencing love and its associated challenges.
Got myself together, now I'm ready to sing
I have prepared myself emotionally and mentally to express myself more confidently and freely.
I've been searchin' my soul tonight
I have been introspective and reflecting on my innermost thoughts and feelings.
I know there's so much more to life
I comprehend that life is full of possibilities and opportunities.
Now I know I can shine a light
I am aware that I can guide myself and others towards positivity and enlightenment.
To find my way back home
I am striving to attain emotional and spiritual fulfillment.
One by one, the chains around me unwind
I am freeing myself from the burdens and restrictions that have held me back.
Every day now I feel that I can leave those years behind
I am gradually letting go of my past and moving forward with hope.
Oh I've been thinking of you for a long time
I have been contemplating the significance of this person in my life for an extended period of time.
There's a side of my life where I've been blind and so...
I have been unaware of certain elements in my life that have been causing me distress and confusion.
Don't want to be alone in life
I do not wish to spend my life feeling disconnected and solitary.
Baby I been holding back now my whole life
I have been stifling my desires and emotions for the entirety of my existence.
I've decided to move on now
I have resolved to progress and evolve from my current state.
Gonna leave all my worries behind
I plan on abandoning the apprehension and anxiety that have been impeding my growth and well-being.
Oh I belive I am ready for what love has to give
I am optimistic that I am capable of receiving and giving affection.
Got myself together now I'm ready to live
I have collected my thoughts, emotions, and desires and am eager to start living life more meaningfully, on my own terms.
Everything gonna be alright
I have faith that everything will work out in the end.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL GORDON, VONDA SHEPARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tee
She's still doing concerts I hear. Very underrated singer
Inspiration for Kids
One of my favourite shows as a teen in the 90s ❤️❤️❤️
enquine2
My favorite show in my 40's LOL
SexsyTeddy
Ahhh, that song feels sooooo good!! I really miss the 90s......
Chad Baughman
Oh yea
sicilka01
Yeah
Lee Beal
Oh yea me 2
Pavlos
Best times ever. 😢
Nyymi Nuolivaara
It's so much fun to watch AllyMcBeal again. I had totally forgotten this song.
NyxErebus
This was my show. Memories of college days, friends and hangouts. I miss the late 90s