After a decade-long hiatus, Shana Halligan—the voice that once captivated listeners as the frontwoman of the acclaimed duo Bitter:Sweet—is stepping back into the spotlight with raw vulnerability and artistic renewal. Her latest single, “Baby Is Back,” is more than just a comeback anthem—it’s a deeply personal farewell, penned in the final days before the passing of her father, Grammy-winning musician and *Blood, Sweat & Tears* founder, Dick Halligan.
A poignant and emotional track, “Baby Is Back” channels the heartache of unspoken goodbyes and the pain of watching someone you love drift away.
“We were very close, but toward the end, he withdrew and hid his struggles from me,” Shana shares. “He lost his identity without music and distanced himself at a time when I couldn’t reach him.” Though she was traveling to Italy to see him one last time, Shana didn’t arrive in time—leaving their parting words unsaid. As a final connection, she sent him the song. “I wrote it for my father shortly before he passed away… it was a way to connect.”
“This music video brings everything full circle in the most cathartic way for me. To be able to fully release all of the pain, heart, and love that went into writing this song just before my father passed away and now have the visual component to match my vision so authentically is truly a gift.
I wanted this to convey us as honestly as possible, so we included clips of my dad and me. It is a cinematic love letter to him. I dedicate this to you dad, for a lifetime of inspiration” Shana Halligan
But the song’s resonance has only deepened since. In the wake of the recent wildfires that devastated her home city of Los Angeles, “Baby Is Back” has taken on new meaning—for both Shana and her listeners. “I hope that after all the heartbreaking devastation caused by the fires, the song can give people the strength to be the phoenix that will rise from the ashes,” she says.
Marked by soulful vulnerability and a striking sense of rebirth, “Baby Is Back” doesn’t just mark a return for Shana—it’s a reclamation of voice, purpose, and the powerful connection between music and healing. With newfound confidence and clarity, Halligan enters this new chapter not just as an artist, but as a woman fully in tune with her own emotional landscape.
And with this powerful new single, it’s clear: Shana Halligan is not only back—she’s here to stay.
