She is known for the emotional sound of her ballads. Some of her most popular songs include "Angel", "Building a Mystery", "Adia", "Possession", "Fallen", "I Will Remember You", and "World on Fire". Her best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four Juno Awards.
Her first album Touch was released in September 28, 1988, recorded in 1987-1988, Vancouver, Canada. The album received both critical and commercial success and included the hit song Vox. During this period she co-operated with Tom Ferris and Dean Russel of Moev, who discovered her as a singer. She contributed backing vocals their 1990 album Head Down and embarked on her first national concert tour as an opening act for The Grapes Of Wrath, another Tom Ferris's band.
Her second album Solace (1991) was a real breakthrough in Canada, spawning the hit singles The Path of Thorns (Terms) and Into the Fire and being certified double platinum for sales of 200,000 copies in Canada.
In 1994 her third album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy quietly became Sarah's international breakthrough, scaling the charts in a number of countries. In the United States, the album was a steady seller that stayed in the middle ranges of the pop charts for almost two years.
Sarah's fourth album Surfacing, released in 1997, brought her international success, selling over 11 million copies worldwide. Still in the spotlight from the album, Sarah launched the highly popular Lilith Fair tour, which helped launch the careers of several well-known female artists.
Her next record Afterglow came out in 2003; it contained the singles Fallen, Stupid, and World On Fire. It was her first album of new material in six years. Sarah took a few years furlough to start a family with her husband and drummer, Ashwin Sood.
Her Holiday album Wintersong came out in October 2006. The album consists of eleven new recordings of well known Christmas songs as well as seasonal favorites interpreted by Sarah. The title track Wintersong is an original work of Sarah.
McLachlan's first studio album of original material in seven years, Laws of Illusion, was released on June 15, 2010. It features 10 new songs in addition to the previously released tracks "U Want Me 2" and "Don't Give Up on Us. The first single Loving You Is Easy was released on April 23, 2010. It was followed by Forgiveness, released on June 30, 2010.
Elsewhere
Sarah McLachlan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The calm inside me
In the space where I can breathe
I believe there is a distance I have wandered
To touch upon the years of
Reaching out and reaching in
Holding out, holding in
I believe
And I'll defend it as long as I can be
Left here to linger in silence
If I choose to
Would you try to understand?
I know this love is passing time
Passing through like liquid
I am drunk in my desire
But I love the way you smile at me
I love the way your hands reach out and hold me near
I believe
I, I believe
This is heaven to no one else but me
And I'll defend it as long as
I can be left here to linger in silence
If I choose to
Would you try to understand?
Oh the quiet child awaits the day when she can break free
The mold that clings like desperation
Mother, can't you see I've got to live my life the way I feel is right for me
Might not be right for you but it's right for me
I, I believe
This is heaven to no one else but me
And I'll defend it as long as
I can be left here to linger in silence
If I choose to
Would you try to understand it?
I would like to linger here in silence
If I choose to
Would you understand it?
Would you try to?
Would you try to understand?
The lyrics to Sarah Mclachlan's song Elsewhere reach deep into the themes of finding oneself and being content with one's choices. Sarah describes a calmness within herself that arises in the space where she can breathe. In this space, she believes that there is a distance she needs to wander to touch upon the years of reaching out and reaching in, holding out, and holding in. This process of self-exploration is heaven for her, despite it being a journey that only belongs to her. She says she'll defend her decision to linger in silence for as long as she can.
The second verse talks about the passing of time and how love is also transient, passing like liquid. Despite this, Sarah is intoxicated with her desire, and she loves the way her lover smiles at her and holds her tight. The third verse speaks of a quiet child who awaits the day when she can be free from the mold that clings to her like desperation; she wants to make her own choices and live life in a way that feels right to her. Sarah then reiterates that this journey of self-discovery and lingering in silence is heaven for her, and she questions if anyone would try to understand it.
Line by Line Meaning
I love the time and in between
I cherish the moments that are not defined by urgency or activity
The calm inside me
I find peace within myself
In the space where I can breathe
In this place, I am free to take a breath and relax
I believe there is a distance I have wandered
I feel like I have journeyed far, and there are still miles to go
To touch upon the years of
To reflect on the past
Reaching out and reaching in
To connect with others and understand oneself
Holding out, holding in
To share some parts of myself but hold other parts back
This is heaven to no one else but me
This feeling of peace and freedom is something that only I appreciate
And I'll defend it as long as I can be
I will protect it as long as possible
Left here to linger in silence
I enjoy the peace and quietness of the moment
If I choose to
It's my choice to stay in this peaceful moment
Would you try to understand?
Would you attempt to comprehend my perspective?
I know this love is passing time
I am aware that this moment will not last forever
Passing through like liquid
This moment is fleeting and slipping away like a fluid
I am drunk in my desire
I am lost in my longing
But I love the way you smile at me
I appreciate the affection you express towards me
I love the way your hands reach out and hold me near
I cherish how you pull me in close to you
Oh the quiet child awaits the day when she can break free
The young and shy girl desires to escape the confines of her surroundings
The mold that clings like desperation
The expectations placed upon her feel oppressive and stifling
Mother, can't you see I've got to live my life the way I feel is right for me
Mother, please understand that I must make my own decisions and follow my own path
Might not be right for you but it's right for me
The choices that I make may not align with your values or beliefs, but they are important to me
I would like to linger here in silence
I choose to stay in this moment of peace and tranquility
Would you understand it?
Do you comprehend my desire for serenity?
Would you try to?
Would you attempt to empathize with my feelings?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sarah Ann McLachlan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jaded Hart
on In The Arms Of The Angels
This will surely make you cry! Everyone can identify with this song! Hear it you won't regret it. And maybe you'll remember!