Lullaby – Shawn Mullins | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#7); 1999

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

Shawn Mullins released his first “album” – in reality, a cassette on his own SM label – while serving in an U.S. Army Airborne Infantry division. The year was 1989.

Another indie album followed, then, after eight years in the military, Mullins struck out on his own to make his way as a musician. Self made album #3 came out in 1992, then another in 1994.

And still no major label deal for Shawn. His military discipline and persistence finally paid off when Soul’s Core appeared in album bins on Columbia Records in 1998. The single Lullabye – with its lyrical longing for escape to an exciting life in Hollywood – resonated with many as the turbulent year wound down.

Mullins celebrated the dawn of 1999 in style when Lullabye spent 11 weeks at #1 on the Adult Top 40, and Soul’s Core earned a gold record.

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

  • Shawn Mullins

Lyrics Written by:

  • Shawn Mullins

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Ed Osborne

Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).