Drifting
Sarah McLachlan(사라 맥라클란) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has been shuffled aside as you bask in the glow
Of the beautiful strangers that whisper your name
Do they fill up the emptiness
Larger than life is your fiction in a universe made up of one
'Cause you have been drifting for so long
But somewhere below you there's people who love you
And they're waiting for you to come home, please come home
You walk in a room and the world stops to stare
You mesmerize all who are caught in the glare
Of the spotlight that follows wherever you go
Does it light up the emptiness
Larger than life is your fiction in a universe made up of one
You have been drifting for so long
I know you don't want to come down
But somewhere below you there's people who love you
And they're ready for you to come home, please come home
In "Drifting," Sarah McLachlan sings about a person who has been lost and drifting for a long time, surrounded by beautiful strangers who only add to the emptiness in their life. The person's fiction, created in a universe made of one, becomes larger than life. Despite being adored by others and having the spotlight follow them wherever they go, the person is unable to fill the emptiness inside. The lyrics offer a plea for the person to come home, where people who love them are waiting.
The song speaks to the feelings of isolation and disconnection that many people experience despite being surrounded by others. It suggests that true fulfillment comes from a sense of belonging, of being valued and loved by others. The lyrics also point to the dangers of creating a false sense of identity based on outward appearances and the opinions of others.
One interesting interpretation of the song may be that it was inspired by McLachlan's own experiences as a performer. She was often in the spotlight and adored by fans, yet struggled with feelings of loneliness and disconnectedness. The lyrics may reflect her own journey to find a sense of home and belonging in the midst of a glittering but ultimately shallow world.
Line by Line Meaning
You've been gone for so long all that you know
Since you have been away for such a long time, everything you were familiar with has been set aside
Has been shuffled aside as you bask in the glow of the beautiful strangers that whisper your name
You are now as comfortable with unfamiliar things as you are with the old because you enjoy the attention and adoration of outsiders
Do they fill up the emptiness
But does their admiration help to fill the void that you are feeling inside?
Larger than life is your fiction in a universe made up of one
Your perception of yourself and the universe is far grander than reality - you have created a fictional world that exists only for you
'Cause you have been drifting for so long
The reason behind all these is that you have been aimlessly wandering around for so long
I know you don't want to come down
It seems you have no desire to return to your previous life
But somewhere below you there's people who love you
Nevertheless, there are people who care for you waiting for you to come back
And they're waiting for you to come home, please come home
They are looking forward to your return and asking you to come home soon
You walk in a room and the world stops to stare
You have become so mesmerizing and influential that when you enter a room, everyone takes notice and everything comes to a halt
You mesmerize all who are caught in the glare
You hypnotize everyone who is within your reach with your charm and charisma
Of the spotlight that follows wherever you go
The spotlight of attention is always on you, accompanying you everywhere you go
Does it light up the emptiness
However, does this attention manage to fill the vacancy and emptiness you have been feeling?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SARAH MCLACHLAN, SARAH ANN MCLACHLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind