I can't sing and I can't dance, but I like rock 'n roll. If I could sing, I would be Sarah McLachlan. Her songs are the perfect match of voice and lyric, melody and meaning.
Someone asked if I had a favorite song. No, I have many favorites and I’m ashamed to say they date back a few decades. And beyond.
Is there a single favorite singer? Writer? Producer? Sadly, no. There are many of each. But if I could sing I would be Sarah McLachlan.
My ear for singing is pure. Pure tin. I have trouble carrying a tune in a suitcase, or a bucket, or a backpack. But I know when something sounds good, looks good, feels good, when it, indeed, is all that and more.
Remember a few months ago, near the start of this season’s American Idol in February? I picked Katharine McPhee to be the next Idol. She made it to the final. Good call, Tera.
Sarah McLachlan’s music—lyrics, voice, emotion—is all that and more.
True, her musical style and lyrical quality is distinct, unique; lost love, a heart full of potions and pain, described by voice in lyrics which call to the saddest part of a woman’s heart.
My ears stare in wonder at the sounds I hear as they move slowly, haltingly from her heart; anger, frustration, regret, and a personal vulnerability mixed perfectly with one last, final hope for a better tomorrow.
Trust me. I’ve been there. Sometimes I can talk about the journey, sometimes write about it. But I can’t sing; certainly not like that.
How does one learn to evoke pure emotion from the lyrics of a song? Is it a natural ability honed by life’s experiences and the opportunity to use the gift that only a God can provide? Or something else?
I Will Remember You
I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Remember the good times that we had?
I let them slip away from us when things got bad
How clearly I first saw you smilin’ in the sun
Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one
I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
I’m so tired but I can’t sleep
Standin’ on the edge of something much too deep
It’s funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can’t be heard
But I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
I’m so afraid to love you, but more afraid to lose
Clinging to a past that doesn’t let me choose
Once there was a darkness, deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light
And I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
And I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Weep not for the memories
If I could sing, I would be Sarah McLachlan.
HI Tera - my thoughts are with you…reading this made me remember going to see Sarah in concert, oh sometime in the mid 90’s with my (now ex) wife. I went mainly for her, I’m firmly entrenched in post-punk/New wave bleach blonde synth mainia, but she was really into her, so I went to keep her company. I have to say, that was probably one of the most emotionally charged amazing concerts I’ve ever been to and I’ll never forget it.
It opened my eyes up to appreciating pure passion in music, be it lyrics or vocal, arrangments or instrumentations. It’s nice to see people sharing their passions in whatever form it may take shape.
Simplicity is the most difficult thing to achieve ...
warmest regards ~
tom