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.
In the Arms of an Angel
Sarah McLachlan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always some reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Let me be empty
And weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lie
That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference
Escaping one last time
It's easier to believe in this sweet madness
Oh this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees
In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
Sarah McLachlan's song "In the Arms of an Angel" is a melancholic plea for an escape from the troubles that life can bring. The lyrics are about waiting for a second chance to make things right, for a break that would make everything feel okay. However, there is always some reason to feel not good enough, and at the end of the day, it can be hard to find peace. The singer of the song seeks distraction, a beautiful release that will allow her to forget her troubles for a little while. She wants to be empty and weightless, and maybe find some peace in that emptiness.
The chorus of the song speaks to finding comfort in the arms of an angel. The singer seeks escape from the "dark cold hotel room" and the "endlessness" that she fears. She is "pulled from the wreckage" of her "silent reverie" and finds comfort in being held by an angel. The song speaks to the idea of finding comfort in the embrace of something greater than oneself, something that can lift us out of the troubles of the world and offer us solace.
Line by Line Meaning
Spend all your time waiting
You devote all of your time to waiting for something to happen
For that second chance
You hope for a chance to make up for past mistakes
For a break that would make it okay
You long for a lucky break to make everything better
There's always some reason
You feel like there is always something holding you back
To feel not good enough
You feel like you are not worthy or capable enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
It is difficult to keep going, especially at the end of the day
I need some distraction
You desire something to take your mind off of your troubles
Oh beautiful release
You are seeking a way to let go and find relief
Memory seeps from my veins
Memories are weighing on you and causing emotional pain
Let me be empty
You want to let go of your emotions and be numb
And weightless and maybe
You hope to feel light and carefree
I'll find some peace tonight
You are searching for inner peace and tranquility to escape your troubles
In the arms of an angel
You are seeking comfort and protection from a higher power or guardian angel
Fly away from here
You wish to escape your current situation and find solace somewhere else
From this dark cold hotel room
You are feeling trapped and isolated in a bleak environment
And the endlessness that you fear
You are troubled by the feeling of being stuck in a cycle that feels never-ending
You are pulled from the wreckage
Something or someone has pulled you out of a difficult and painful situation
Of your silent reverie
You are snapped out of your own deep and introspective thoughts
May you find some comfort here
You hope to find a source of comfort, safety, and peace
Contributed by Josiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@timothyrudd8150
2024 this day. "Right now, there are people all over the world who are just like you. They're either lonely, they're missing somebody, they're depressed, they're hurt, they're scarred from the past, they're having personal issues no one knows about, they have secrets you wouldn't believe. They wish, they dream and they hope. And right now, they are sitting here reading these words, and I'm writing this for you so you don't feel alone anymore. Always remember, don't be depressed about the past, don't worry about the future, and just focus on today. If today's not so great don't worry! Tomorrow's a new chance. You are not guilty , you are a Good person. If you are reading this, be sure to share this around to make others feel better. Have a nice day!***Better yet "Have a nice life!!"
@ohurspecial5404
I’m just here to make fun of those old dog commercials XD
@mariaward2717
Encouraging. They always say peace is hard to find but it's only within no matter what.
@constanceleachman9720
It's good to see you back young man I was only concerned because your words are so heartfelt and wise and helpful to so many people and your Insight amazes me it would be sad to see them not shared with others who could use them you are a good Soul mr. Timothy and Jesus has reason for you sharing that I thought maybe I was driving you crazy always asking you something silly anyway my friend as always hope all is well and safe with you have a pleasant day young man
@thepurevessel
Thank you for posting this, May you have a great life.
@mariagoncalves8735
Thanks for your words. I miss my mama so much
@loannatran2304
Just lost my father suddenly and unexpectedly. He loved me and was always there to support me. I’ll always miss the times we talked about our favorite video games together, resident evil, Tekken. Listening to this song makes me cry and also lets me know that he’s with the angels right now. I love you forever dad ❤
1973-2024
@mythai05
Wow, that's tough! But the fact that you focused on the good times you and your dad had together tells me you're in a good place. That's how you'll get through this. Rather than focus on the loss, focus on all the good times you had together. Once you accept that death is just part of the cycle of life---we'll all leave someday---then you realize that whatever time you had together was a gift.
After my father's passing, I found this song very comforting. Like you, I picked up on the line "in the arms of the angel". Every time I hear this song I think of my father. I've listened to it countless times, but it wasn't until recently that I noticed that Sarah chose to write "here" instead of "there" for the last line. You're in the arms of the angel, may you find some comfort HERE. The person who has left us is being welcomed in and they will always be with us in our hearts. ❤
@JohnStoner-fp9re
I lost my mom to cancer when the song came out and every time I hear this song it just makes me break down and cry all I can think of is my poor Mom laying in the bed so withered away and now she's in the arms of an angel God bless you Sarah for making this song and God bless you mom up there and nonsibility by the grace of God Christ I pray amen
@nichollerusso8262
I'm very very sorry I just lost my mom. I honestly feel lost don't know what to do now or w myself