"Searchin' My Soul" is a song written, produced, and performed by American singer and actress Vonda Shepard. It originally appeared on her second studio album, The Radical Light (1992), as the first track. In 1997, it served as the opening theme to the American legal comedy drama television program Ally McBeal and was included on the show's first soundtrack album, Songs from Ally McBeal, which was released in 1998. In April of that same year, "Searchin' My Soul" was released as a single from the soundtrack.

"Searchin' My Soul" exposed Shepard's music to a worldwide audience and became a chart hit. It reached number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart and peaked at number 14 on both the Billboard Adult Top 40 and Mainstream Top 40 rankings. In the United Kingdom, it debuted and peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart, giving Shepard her only top-10 hit there. In Canada and Finland, the song entered the top 10, reaching numbers six and eight, respectively.

Critical reception Billboard magazine reviewed the song in April 1998, calling the track an equal sum of its parts and highlighting its "infectious, sing-along" chorus, noting it is not instantly forgettable.

Track listings UK CD1 "Searchin' My Soul" (single version) – 3:59 "I Started a Joke" – 3:27 "I Only Want to Be with You" – 2:12

UK CD2 "Searchin' My Soul" (single edit) – 3:14 "100 Tears Away" – 4:50 "I Only Want to Be with You" – 2:12

UK cassette single "Searchin' My Soul" (single version) – 3:59 "Hooked on a Feeling" – 2:58

European CD single "Searchin' My Soul" "I Started a Joke"

European maxi-CD single "Searchin' My Soul" "I Started a Joke" "100 Tears Away"

Australian CD single "Searchin' My Soul" "100 Tears Away" "I Started a Joke"

Credits and personnel Credits are lifted from the Songs from Ally McBeal album booklet.

Studios Recorded at Conway Studios, Ocean Way Recording, A&M Studios (Hollywood, California), and Groove Masters (Santa Monica, California) Mastered at A&M Mastering Studios (Hollywood, California)

Personnel

Vonda Shepard – writing, vocals, background vocals, piano, production Jeff Young – background vocals, Hammond B3 Val McCallum – guitars, mandolin Jim Hanson – bass Andy Kamman – drums Paul Dieter – recording Eddie DeLena – recording Tom Lord-Alge – mixing Dave Collins – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1998–1999)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)82Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)37Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)22Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)21US Hot 100 Airplay (Billboard)16US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)22US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)14US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)14

Year-end charts Chart (1998)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM)49Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)86UK Singles (OCC)193US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)34US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)62

Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesApril 7, 1998AirplayUnited KingdomNovember 23, 1998

References