Don't Cry Ilene

Album: Vonda Shepard (1989)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Most people think they have Vonda Shepard's "Don't Cry Ilene" figured out. Most people are wrong. The singer explained in a Songfacts interview: "Yes. There was a real Ilene. And you know what's funny, it is like documented fact that the song is about an interracial relationship; that's not true at all. I don't know who made that up. It's not about that. It cracks me up, because people say it, like, you know, very educated, interesting smart people think that's what it's about."

    So what is the song really about? Shepard says it was inspired by a guy she was "kind of in love with" who already had a girlfriend.
  • Vonda Shepard got her first taste of fame when she appeared on the hit "Can't We Try" with Dan Hill in 1987. This led to a deal with Reprise Records, which released her debut, self-titled album in 1989. "Don't Cry Ilene" was the most popular song on the set, getting some airplay on Adult Contemporary radio and a few spins on VH1. She parted ways with Reprise in the mid-'90s, but emerged on the pop culture landscape in a big way when she got a regular role on the show Ally McBeal, which ran from 1997-2002. "Don't Cry Ilene" remained a staple of her live shows and appears on her 2012 acoustic set, Solo.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.