Sarah McLachlan on fame, stalkers and her biggest hits

Sarah McLachlan is having a big year. Right now, the Grammy-winning Canadian superstar is in the middle of a massive North American tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her breakthrough album, “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy.” This September, she’ll also be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Sarah joins Tom to talk about being back on the road for the first time in nearly a decade, what she thinks about some of her biggest hits, and why she says her daughters finally think she’s cool.

00:00 - Being on tour again
05:00 - Imposter Syndrome
08:25 - Getting into music
12:45 - Writing hits
15:21 - Process
22:24 - Stalker
26:58 - Songwriting

[TheBircat]

In 2003 my wife was trying to leave Bread Garden in West Van and my baby daughter was kicking up a fuss. A woman came up and said, "let me hold her so you can gather your things." My wife handed my daughter to her and as she let go of her she realized it was Sarah! My daughter has been held by the woman who wrote "Arms of an Angel!"

[studiocelestedesign]

She's lovely and super down to earth. A few years ago I was working at a luxury furniture store in Vancouver and approached a kind looking woman in the showroom who had arrived with her daughter, and immediately recognized it was Sarah! I'm not one for treating people differently based on their social status (people are all just people really, you know?) so I just helped her browse the sofas, and couldn't resist asking where she'd bought her pretty summer dress from. So that was fun, and at any rate I can report she's as solid and real and kind as the rest of us Canadians!

[michaelwattie]

I worked in adolescent mental health, so many of the young people where so helped by your music. It was a vehicle for them to visit their own sadness and trauma and helped them process. My sense is that most good music has in it healing powers. Much warmth and admiration

[BridgetSmith-lrrm]

I was in college when I listened to "Surfacing" for the first time and it defined my college years. Every song on it is powerful, but they are even more so now that I am an older adult. My mother was a big fan of Sarah's, too, and she passed away last year. Listening to Sarah McLachlan reminds me of how my mom and I used to listen to her in the car together and how I thought a breakup was the greatest heartache I would ever suffer.

[cindyjohnson]

My absolute favourite voice. I have played Fumbling Towards Ecstasy so many times that I have lost count. Incredible song writer.

[heathtich]

Fumbling Towards Ectasy is a true masterpiece! My fav album!!! Hoping to see her in London, ON!

[GabrielleNapolitano]

She changed my life with her music. My bucket list was to see her sing live and when she came to NYC, I filled my soul with her voice. Magic.

[larguitar]

Sarah is a national treasure. Beautiful.❤

[jaganon]

Love her. What an extraordinary human being.

[gregbabcock]

Sarah is a beautiful artist. So genuine. I never tire of listening to her songs and voice. Incredible music.

[skookum]

Sarah’s songs, heal aching hearts. We all have been there, are there, will be there. That is powerful. 💖

[herkamer]

My first introduction to Sarah was David Letterman, and Sarah played Into The Fire, and OMG!! I was hooked ever since.

[papabear]

I had to retire from Midwifery due to a large benign brain tumour. I started writing and love it. Sarah's motivation and inspiration resonates.

[jamesg]

Fantastic woman; a true Canadian; earthy; rich in heart; vibrant about doing something good; makes the word love really into an action for another; lovingly whimsical at times; is there such a thing as goodhearted, well she certainly speaks to that... and hopeful about life and what you can see in another person. A fantastic woman...just lovely.

[kathyestes]

Sarah’s beautiful songs helped me through the deepest grief when my young son died of cancer. Especially the song Hold On and of course Angel. She is one of those I consider a goddess in my life.

[Charlie-cjvx]

Sarah, your fans have gone No Where! We all very patiently waited to see you on stage again, you cannot give a bad performance. You’ve changed my life so many times you’ve helped me through dark times. Thank you for being you 💗💗💗

[marcellaolave]

Sarah will always be the singer whose songs spoke to me when I was 18 in 1995. Now, so many life changes with the loss of parents and my husband, have brought me back to redefine myself and to remember the journey in Sarah's songs.

[chrischan]

The reason FTE resonated was because of the storytelling. It was relatable and melodically it was magical with Sarah's versatile voice. She can sing tender, ethereal, and powerful and the album did a wonderful job of matching her singing skills in the right moments in the right songs. FTE historically was underrated with the general musical audience but to me and it's a masterpiece. Gratz to Sarah on the songwriter HOF!

[erikafreebird]

I always have loved Sarah's music. So lovely to know she is releasing a new album.🙏💞

[the_haligonian]

You still have a place in our hearts. Even after all these years.