doesn't return to shell prompt after starting mysqld

I type "mysqld" at the shell prompt and hit return, then get the message "mysqld: ready for connections". But then I don't get returned to a shell prompt. I can type stuff on the screen, but it doesn't do anything. I try Ctrl-C and Ctrl-Z, but they don't give me back the prompt either.

I have to close the ssh session and start another one to get a shell prompt. Then I do "ps aux" and it shows that mysqld did start.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Ps. When I use safe_mysqld to start the server, the same thing happens initially (doesn't return to a prompt), but then I type Ctrl-Z and it does give me back the prompt.