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.
Rainbow Collection
Sarah McLachlan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told, and some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
All of us under its spell
We know that it's probably magic
Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices?
Yes, I've heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
La-de-da-de-de-da-da
La-de-da, la-de-da-do
Sarah McLachlan's "Rainbow Collection" is a song that contemplates the meaning behind rainbows and their connection to human nature. The opening lyrics question the abundance of songs written about rainbows and ask what might be on the other side of these mystical bridges. However, the song's narrator tells us that rainbows are nothing more than illusions, and their colors can easily be explained by the laws of physics. But the singer stops short of completely dismissing the power of the rainbow, stating that they have "nothing to hide." This is where the song's central theme becomes clear. The rainbow represents a sense of hope and optimism that allows us to look beyond what we can see and toward the possibilities that could exist.
The next verse takes this theme even further. The singer points out that many people believe that every wish made upon a star will come true, but she points out the importance of belief as well. The idea that something isn't real until we believe in it is a common thread in many stories and religions, and this song plays on that theme. The singer asks what keeps us "stargazing," believing in something that might not exist, and what we might hope to find by doing so. The chorus repeats the idea that "someday we'll find it," and that this connection will bring together "the lovers, the dreamers, and me." The final verse brings everything full circle, with the singer acknowledging that she has heard a calling that she cannot ignore. Could this be the same "sweet sound" that calls young sailors to their destiny? The song leaves it to us to decide.
Line by Line Meaning
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
Why is there so much fascination about rainbows to the point that there are multiple songs written about it?
And what's on the other side?
What is waiting for us on the other end or the conclusion of the rainbow?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions
Rainbows are pretty and dreamy to see, but they are not tangible and only appear to be real.
And rainbows have nothing to hide
Rainbows are clear and transparent, and there's nothing hidden or concealed behind them.
So we've been told, and some choose to believe it
Some people believe the common narrative about rainbows being illusory while others don't question it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see
I don't agree with them, time will tell who is right.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
One day we will discover or perceive the true meaning and essence associated with rainbows.
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
Those who believe in the existence of magical and elusive things like dreams and romance will be able to perceive the true essence of rainbows.
Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
Who came up with the notion that if we wish upon a star, all our wishes will come true?
When wished on the morning star?
When we make our wish while looking up at the bright star seen at daybreak?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it
Someone came up with the idea of wishing upon a star, which was then adopted by others as a belief.
And look what it's done so far
And see how far that belief has influenced or motivated people's choices and actions.
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing
What is so astonishing and compelling about gazing at the stars?
And what do we think we might see?
And what kind of spectacle or insight are we hoping to perceive through stargazing?
All of us under its spell
We all have fallen under some kind of Mesmerizing effect, perhaps from gazing at the stars or rainbow and have been inspired or influenced by something we can't comprehend entirely.
We know that it's probably magic
We are aware that there's an indescribable and other-worldly component in the phenomenon that makes it difficult to rationalize and only adds to its intrigue.
Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices?
Have you ever been in a state where you are not entirely conscious, and you can hear sounds like someone calling out your name?
Yes, I've heard them calling my name
Yes, I have experienced the feeling of hearing some audible sounds calling out to me.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
Is this the melody that leads the inexperienced Sailors towards a bright and rewarding journey?
The voice might be one and the same
That voice that calls out to us might be the same one that guides the new sailors to their destination.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
I have experienced the same phenomenon so many times that I can't ignore it even though I can't explain it entirely.
It's something that I'm supposed to be
It's possible that this calling is something I'm destined to do or should be doing right now.
La-de-da-de-de-da-da
A nonsensical rhythm, which doesn't add to the meaning of the song but works as a superfluous embellishment.
La-de-da, la-de-da-do
Repetition of the previous line with a few additional nonsensical sounds.
Contributed by Maya T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kelly Stone
Lyrics
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
Who said that every wish would be heard
And answered when wished on the morning star? Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
All of us under its spell.
We know that it's probably magic.
Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
Aidan Carter
My version:
If you would change your mind and give us one reason,
You'll have some new luck to choose.
Before we'll get it out as we start to travel,
We should paint a picture of you.
And now you are not feeling so much older,
It seems like we found our good child.
Now it's fun to check out the rainbow connection,
Inside our new morning to see.
So we should concentrate on most of our homework,
But once it was made to come.
There was a sign to get when it was this order,
You might not feel very strange.
It would make these days come through from a channel,
And you can't stop all our new plans.
Then it was meant to be the rainbow connection,
We'll spread our wings and fly down from the tree.
You will not hang from our time,
Unless you were welcome to know us.
Our thoughts will look so wild upon this old holiday,
Without all those things to remove.
Now you would lie down and come from the decade,
Because you can't stand back our chance.
You are not allowed to make a great story,
And that is how you can solve this day.
When we would come from the rainbow connection,
You will not survive in the sea.
Mark L
I’m 62 years old and this cover always brings tears to my eyes because it makes me think about all the dogs I’ve had and lost over the decades. I love them all dearly and miss every one of them.
Rock Drummer
I have lost many dogs over the years. Sometimes, the grief makes me wonder if having a dog is worth it. But, the time between when we bring them home and they cross the Rainbow Bridge does make it all worthwhile. I will have no regrets, as my dogs have had spectacular lives. I have a 13 year old at present. I know her time is getting short, but, I am hoping for another 4-5 years. Love her so much. This is such a beautiful song.........so sad that it has been adopted by the gay community. That somehow taints it.
E_ _J
It's already 2017 and still listening to this. Question: Am I the only one who gets teary eyed everytime listening to this wonderful song and version? 😑
Peter Winter
Ethan Tatum n
Yas Cyrughh
You are not alone
Krizandra AMV
No.... I Get Teary Too :(
Dawn Soulgineering
Every single time!!!! 😊
Lucero Figueroa
E___ none I do too
C H
How fortunate we are, where we live in a world full of so many talented people.
Ari Escalante
Agreed <3