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Sarah McLachlan — World on Fire
Album: Afterglow
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2073









Released: 2003
Length: 4:15
Plays (last 30 days): 0
The world's on fire, it's more then I can handle.
I'll tap into the water, try and bring my share.
Try to bring more, more than I can handle.
Bring it to the table, bring what I am able.

Hearts are worn in these dark ages.
You're not alone in these stories' pages.
The light has fallen amongst the living and the dying, and Ill try to hold it in.
Yeah, I'll try to hold it in.

Chorus

I watch the heavens but I find no calling.
Something I can do to change what's coming.
Stay close to me while the sky's falling.
I don't wanna be left alone don't wanna be alone.

Chorus

Hearts break, hearts mend, love still hurts.
Visions clash, planes crash, still there's talk of saving souls, still cold's closing in on us.

We part the veil on our killer sun.
Stray from the straight line on this short run.
The more we take, the less we become.
The fortune of one man means less for some

Chorus
Comments (211)add comment
Sarah is gorgeous.  This song is great but the album couldn't follow  ' Surfacing ' which was an 11.
Unfair to Sarah McLachlan to play this right after Side 2 of Abbey Road... 
Such a lovely warm sound, on a wintry day. I need a hot chocolate, but don't want to miss any of it.
 sfoster66 wrote:

I once read a Q&A that Sarah did that included a question about how to deal with the results of orally pleasuring a fellow...let's just say that she's a great songwriter, singer and really fun offstage as well.



Posts like yours reveal you as a cretin 
I once read a Q&A that Sarah did that included a question about how to deal with the results of orally pleasuring a fellow...let's just say that she's a great songwriter, singer and really fun offstage as well.
Perfect segue from Norah Jones to this - I honestly couldn't hear where one track finished and the next one started. 
Huge skills Bill/Rebecca - HUGE
 ciarataylor wrote:

sarah sarah quit repeating your refrains over and over  They are tiring.



That's literally what a refrain is. 
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

Its' OK - Sasha2001 last posted on RP in June 2013 and even that was a silly comment about baseball. Maybe he has become disillusioned with music and switched his ranting to sport forums.


doesn't anyone understand sarcasm?
sarah sarah quit repeating your refrains over and over  They are tiring.
if a song could be repeated two or three times...
Brightens the day from above.
Take me home, country roads...
 somboed wrote:
Sasha2001 wrote:
Declaration of the Comments Poster:

Hearing this song on RP moves me to write down my thoughts so that you, the community of listeners understand in no uncertain terms how important my opinions about this musician are. During the course of my rant I'll effect an air of smug importance and attempt to show off my high degree of education regarding this musician's hagiography and their artistic choices. I may also choose to undermine my arguments by pointing out the physical attractiveness or lack thereof of the musician, band, or singer in question.

I reserve the right to defend my comments against future posters who may make comments such as, "Dude, chill! It's only one song." and "If you don't like Bill and Rebecca's playlist than troll somewhere else." or, "Ha! Ha! Best comment I've read all day."

Please consider this an indemnification towards life-long fans of this musician's work who undoubtedly will become upset if my negative comments are of a drive-by quality and not those befitting the type who truly worship it with every fiber of their being.

With these words I do declare my freedom to post.


Good Lord, I hope this insufferable pomposity never pontificates here again.

 
Its' OK - Sasha2001 last posted on RP in June 2013 and even that was a silly comment about baseball. Maybe he has become disillusioned with music and switched his ranting to sport forums.
 Proclivities wrote:

I didn't know she studied hagiography.

 
Why would the study of hags have anything to do with Sarah McLachlan?
Sasha2001 wrote:
Declaration of the Comments Poster:

Hearing this song on RP moves me to write down my thoughts so that you, the community of listeners understand in no uncertain terms how important my opinions about this musician are. During the course of my rant I'll effect an air of smug importance and attempt to show off my high degree of education regarding this musician's hagiography and their artistic choices. I may also choose to undermine my arguments by pointing out the physical attractiveness or lack thereof of the musician, band, or singer in question.

I reserve the right to defend my comments against future posters who may make comments such as, "Dude, chill! It's only one song." and "If you don't like Bill and Rebecca's playlist than troll somewhere else." or, "Ha! Ha! Best comment I've read all day."

Please consider this an indemnification towards life-long fans of this musician's work who undoubtedly will become upset if my negative comments are of a drive-by quality and not those befitting the type who truly worship it with every fiber of their being.

With these words I do declare my freedom to post.


Good Lord, I hope this insufferable pomposity never pontificates here again.
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Declaration of the Comments Poster:

Hearing this song on RP moves me to write down my thoughts so that you, the community of listeners understand in no uncertain terms how important my opinions about this musician are. During the course of my rant I'll effect an air of smug importance and attempt to show off my high degree of education regarding this musician's hagiography and their artistic choices. I may also choose to undermine my arguments by pointing out the physical attractiveness or lack thereof of the musician, band, or singer in question.

I reserve the right to defend my comments against future posters who may make comments such as, "Dude, chill! It's only one song." and "If you don't like Bill and Rebecca's playlist than troll somewhere else." or, "Ha! Ha! Best comment I've read all day."

Please consider this an indemnification towards life-long fans of this musician's work who undoubtedly will become upset if my negative comments are of a drive-by quality and not those befitting the type who truly worship it with every fiber of their being.

With these words I do declare my freedom to post.



 

 
And I was going to say she's got a pretty voice and she's kind of a babe.
Guess I'll hold off.
{#Flamed}8 >>>>> 9
crank it up & sing!!!!!!!!!!
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Declaration of the Comments Poster:

Hearing this song on RP moves me to write down my thoughts so that you, the community of listeners understand in no uncertain terms how important my opinions about this musician are. During the course of my rant I'll effect an air of smug importance and attempt to show off my high degree of education regarding this musician's hagiography and their artistic choices. I may also choose to undermine my arguments by pointing out the physical attractiveness or lack thereof of the musician, band, or singer in question.

I reserve the right to defend my comments against future posters who may make comments such as, "Dude, chill! It's only one song." and "If you don't like Bill and Rebecca's playlist than troll somewhere else." or, "Ha! Ha! Best comment I've read all day."

Please consider this an indemnification towards life-long fans of this musician's work who undoubtedly will become upset if my negative comments are of a drive-by quality and not those befitting the type who truly worship it with every fiber of their being.

With these words I do declare my freedom to post.



 

 
I'll sign this with my ole John Hancock....long live the snark revolution!  Viva le revolution!
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Declaration of the Comments Poster:

Hearing this song on RP moves me to write down my thoughts so that you, the community of listeners understand in no uncertain terms how important my opinions about this musician are. During the course of my rant I'll effect an air of smug importance and attempt to show off my high degree of education regarding this musician's hagiography and their artistic choices. I may also choose to undermine my arguments by pointing out the physical attractiveness or lack thereof of the musician, band, or singer in question.

I reserve the right to defend my comments against future posters who may make comments such as, "Dude, chill! It's only one song." and "If you don't like Bill and Rebecca's playlist than troll somewhere else." or, "Ha! Ha! Best comment I've read all day."

Please consider this an indemnification towards life-long fans of this musician's work who undoubtedly will become upset if my negative comments are of a drive-by quality and not those befitting the type who truly worship it with every fiber of their being.

With these words I do declare my freedom to post.



 

 

I have no idea what you just said...do you not like Sarah?  Dude, chill it is only a song{#Eh}
 TerryS wrote:
As a professional Hagiologist, in the words of my Sainted mother, go Pledge the furniture. 

 
I thought the correct term was "hagiographer".  Oh, well.  I'll have to get a new can of Pledge©.
The more we take, the less we become
The fortune of one that means less for some
Her throooooaattt!  my fangs are sharp and moistened just looking at her.....mmmmmmmmmm slurp slurp
sweet voice as well 
As a professional Hagiologist, in the words of my Sainted mother, go Pledge the furniture. 
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Declaration of the Comments Poster:

Hearing this song on RP moves me to write down my thoughts so that you, the community of listeners understand in no uncertain terms how important my opinions about this musician are. During the course of my rant I'll effect an air of smug importance and attempt to show off my high degree of education regarding this musician's hagiography and their artistic choices. I may also choose to undermine my arguments by pointing out the physical attractiveness or lack thereof of the musician, band, or singer in question.

I reserve the right to defend my comments against future posters who may make comments such as, "Dude, chill! It's only one song." and "If you don't like Bill and Rebecca's playlist than troll somewhere else." or, "Ha! Ha! Best comment I've read all day."

Please consider this an indemnification towards life-long fans of this musician's work who undoubtedly will become upset if my negative comments are of a drive-by quality and not those befitting the type who truly worship it with every fiber of their being.

With these words I do declare my freedom to post. 

 
I didn't know she studied hagiography.
 unclehud wrote:
Her voice is like soft skin in candlelight.  Guitar solo reinforces that.

 
Much more artful way of saying what I just said.
I love this woman's voice!
Declaration of the Comments Poster:

Hearing this song on RP moves me to write down my thoughts so that you, the community of listeners understand in no uncertain terms how important my opinions about this musician are. During the course of my rant I'll effect an air of smug importance and attempt to show off my high degree of education regarding this musician's hagiography and their artistic choices. I may also choose to undermine my arguments by pointing out the physical attractiveness or lack thereof of the musician, band, or singer in question.

I reserve the right to defend my comments against future posters who may make comments such as, "Dude, chill! It's only one song." and "If you don't like Bill and Rebecca's playlist than troll somewhere else." or, "Ha! Ha! Best comment I've read all day."

Please consider this an indemnification towards life-long fans of this musician's work who undoubtedly will become upset if my negative comments are of a drive-by quality and not those befitting the type who truly worship it with every fiber of their being.

With these words I do declare my freedom to post.



 
Her voice is like soft skin in candlelight.  Guitar solo reinforces that.
Having a hard time listening to this and not seeing those poor abandoned, caged animals of the amnesty commercials. I realize this is NOT the tune they use, but her voice permeates the "needy" air.
 Kaisersosay wrote:
Hmmm I think Sarah looks absolutely fine on the cover. 
Just a random thought in my busy brain.  
 
You definitely got that right!
"Dang, I Wish I Was Your Lover"...
I prefer her "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" album, but like most of Sarah's work, this one is a 10 for me.
 yodasan_magoo wrote:
Sarah has better songs, but if I had to choose one voice I would have to listen to the rest of my life, this is it.
 
On the contrary, I'm usually not too fussed about Sarah but really like this one! 8 :)
NEAR perfect set selection for this rare damp, central TX Sunday morning. Thanks, Bill. If I've got to be stuck in here working then decent tunes and homemade biscuits do the spirit good. 
Love her and her music. Wonderful
Sarah has better songs, but if I had to choose one voice I would have to listen to the rest of my life, this is it.

Sarah's a nice change of pace and shows a wider range than say Norah Jones. Keep up the good work Bill (although the last person does have a point—this is the first time I've heard this track in months, but others seem to come around almost on the hour lately).
groan - normally don't make negative comments, but this is the second time we have had to hear her in an hour - make it stop.
 johnjconn wrote:
I agree, this song sucks. Nails on a chalk board sound
 

I see I'm not the only one who wasn't too "upset" when Sarah went on hiatus.
"The more we take, the less we become
The fortune of one that means less for some" (actually many)

An extra two points for the video..................


Hmmm I think Sarah looks absolutely fine on the cover. 
Just a random thought in my busy brain.  

Not one of my favorite Sarah tunes but it makes you stop and think about the state of the world especially today (9/11/10). Never forget the lives that were lost and my wish is that all wars could stop NOW. Let's co-exist!
Bill has been ON A ROLL ALL MORNING! It's rare I can listen to RP for 4+ hours without wanting to listen to something else, but this morning, Bill has orchestrated a wonderful playlist. The Sarah McLachlan song is just one of many examples of wonderful music.
 neckbone wrote:
I like Sarah, but this one gets a solid "meh" from me.
 
agreed. dull and lifeless

jeess, me i enjoy my live in dire poverty..good stuff..smarty is missing{#Iamwithstupid}
 leap wrote:
Really boring.
 
It is actually . . . let's skip this from the RP-playlist eh?
Really boring.
macadavy wrote:

"Depressing? Stand on a rock overlooking the full force of the North (Pacific) and contemplate the harshness of the coming winter. The result is weighty, not depressing."
That would be a North West Nordic headspace - a la Sarah... {#Yes}


I love the sound of standing on a rock like that...though I'd do it on one leg...like the "Karate Kid"

 philinnz wrote:
 

het nederlandse always argue - wat jammer
 
Ik begrijp not completely what je bedoelt

 Welly wrote:
Sarah is no doubt talented, but I find her music depressing. She always sounds so sad.
 
That's part of the appeal . . . strangely enough.

 MM13 wrote:

Was je zo ontroerd dat je je reactie maar spontaan in het Nederlands hebt geschreven {#Smile}?
(Just a spontaneous interaction between two Dutch speaking RP listeners)
  

het nederlandse always argue - wat jammer
I like Sarah, but this one gets a solid "meh" from me.
This song is good for the ears.
Love Sarah!!
I just do not care for her work.  That said, I will not complain that she is played here on RP - I like the mix that is offered - even if it is not custom tailored to my likes and dislikes.  Thanks Bill & Rebecca!
Yeah, more Sarah!
{#Sleep}
 westslope wrote:
Welcome to the Nordic head space. Depressing? Stand on a rock overlooking the full force of the North Sea and contemplate the harshness of the coming winter. The result is weighty, not depressing.

 
"Depressing? Stand on a rock overlooking the full force of the North (Pacific) and contemplate the harshness of the coming winter. The result is weighty, not depressing."
That would be a North West Nordic headspace - a la Sarah...  {#Yes}

 TheKing2 wrote:
wat maakt deze mooie dame toch mooie muziek
 
Was je zo ontroerd dat je je reactie maar spontaan in het Nederlands hebt geschreven {#Smile}?
(Just a spontaneous interaction between two Dutch speaking RP listeners)
amazing

Lovely{#Angel}
Where did sarah GO?
wat maakt deze mooie dame toch mooie muziek
Did I say 10? 10 times 10 {#Hearteyes}
 big_gare wrote:
Sarah wants me. I know it!...
 
LOL.  Back off...she's mine. {#Beat}    ME{#Heartkiss}SARAH  Well, maybe in another life, eh? {#Drunk}
Any song rated over 7 deserves to be heard quite frequently on RP.  Deal with it. 


SmackDaddy wrote:

How many times a day do we need to hear Ms. Sarah? {#Crashcomp}

 


 

Mr. Bryan Adams its a taboo in RP Station?



 SmackDaddy wrote:

How many times a day do we need to hear Ms. Sarah? 

 

At least Bill doesn't play her duet with Bryan Adams.
I play the video of this song in my Env Sci class each semester. It never fails to touch a number of the students.
https://www.worldonfire.ca/

8 without video
10 with video

How many times a day do we need to hear Ms. Sarah? {#Crashcomp}



Welly wrote:
Sarah is no doubt talented, but I find her music depressing. She always sounds so sad.
Welcome to the Nordic head space. Depressing? Stand on a rock overlooking the full force of the North Sea and contemplate the harshness of the coming winter. The result is weighty, not depressing.
Yes, another Sarah McLachlan song. Yesterday about the same time is was Possession and today, World on Fire. Smooth as honey. Thanks!

I don't know, I like her songs, and her voice is pleasant on the ears, but she just seems to be trying too hard. I get the same feeling from Natalie Merchant (although with her I get a 'I'm so precious' vibe as well.) Maybe I should pull in my antennae a bit? - Riff
This song has such a special meaning to me. I was listing to this song all weekend a few years ago and then I got a telephone call that a very close friend of mine died quite suddenly. So, it brings back the sad memories of that, but the happy memories of all the fun we had over the years. Thank you for playing it.
Ah, wond'rous segue!
The lovely Sarah and her highly talented entourage beckon.........

Sarah wants me. I know it!...
Gets a solid 8 from me. Vienna Teng gets mostly 9s and 10s.
All about the music (without the BS) ... that's Sarah, alright.
Immensely listenable. It's all good.
Perfection!
Nice timing, goes well with today
Been a few pages since this was posted . (click here)
Coding away in the middle of an "exceptional drought" area and just seeing a bit of rain after maybe a month (other gaps longer this year). I was struck by these lyrics. Probably read too much into them. But it's getting kinda heavy around here. Primary sources of water for about a million people down to 69-120 days, etc, mostly the same hundreds of miles in all directions. I find myself pondering the earlier BHT&M "Drought of 2013" line (something like) "after 750 days not a drop of rain, makes us all the same." But hopefully we'll get 24 inches of rain in the next few months and be right back to normal. But maybe with better habits...
*yaaaawwwwn*
One of the better Sarahmac tunes. I find most of her early stuff a bit too cheesy and produced, but this is quality work.
Flip that and I'd agree. Her earlier songs were more dynamic with interesting perspectives and tensions. Now she makes adult contemporary pop that would soothe in a dentist's office or the elevator. It happened around the time her image became much more produced and glossy, not coincidentally.
Welly wrote:
Sarah is no doubt talented, but I find her music depressing. She always sounds so sad.
Artists relate what they feel. Some embrace one artist, others another, presumably based on the connection to that artist's expression. I was a huge SM fan back when I was lonely and depressed. Now instead of the intense association I more feel empathy and sorrow that her life has not progressed as well.
Welly wrote:
Sarah is no doubt talented, but I find her music depressing. She always sounds so sad.
Ice Cream!
good. not her best. sounds like a lot of her other songs. not complaining...i love her stuff.
More Sarah!
This sounds like a love.
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
I hear Sarah and she reminds me of a lost love, as Sarah is so feminine and strong so is Kat. Love you, Kat, life has never been the same without you.
Qualitee to a tee!
I hear Sarah and she reminds me of a lost love, as Sarah is so feminine and strong so is Kat. Love you, Kat, life has never been the same without you.
liser wrote:
Hell, for that matter why not a $250,000 home? Why does ANYONE "need" a million dollars worth of house? To stash all their important stuff?
I don't live too far from Sarah, and let me tell you houses aren't cheap here. I rent a run-down, no-yard 1930's one-floor, 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom house (with 2 other roomies), and the house's value... 1.4 million. A 1-bdrm condo around here is 500,000 and up. You just can't buy anymore. As another poster said - you obviously don't live on the West Coast.
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
Feminine and strong. Ok, I am converting to a Sarah fan.
I remember first seeing here way back when on a late night show on the CBC and instantly falling in love with her...good songs from Sarah, but my feelings have subsided a bit...
One of the better Sarahmac tunes. I find most of her early stuff a bit too cheesy and produced, but this is quality work.
soja wrote:
$250,000 won't buy you a house where I live.
you might get a crappy condo for that here.
The world may be on fire, but Sarah's voice would calm it down.
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
This is very feminine without being tinkly like Ms Amos. Feminine and strong. Ok, I am converting to a Sarah fan.
word up
Sarah is no doubt talented, but I find her music depressing. She always sounds so sad.
cutterjudd wrote:
That makes two of us. I could listen to her all night long.
Four. Perhaps even more during some of the longest and most stressful work sessions (context: programming, sysadmin tasks, web service development, ...) For me, in some kind of mysterious resonance, her music has been withstanding unprecedented extended listening periods, far beyond most other music I love to listen. Personal favorite: the Mirrorball concert DVD... even for working sessions (provided one avoids getting too distracted by video...): more effective than coffee, better than chocolate...
Ah yes, world on fire! the afterglow!
liser wrote:
Hell, for that matter why not a $250,000 home? Why does ANYONE "need" a million dollars worth of house? To stash all their important stuff?
Where I live, $1M gets you a 1500 SF 3Bd. 2Ba. house on an 8000 SF lot in a reasonable school district. Condos are half of that. Clearly, you do not live near the left coast.
liser wrote:
Hell, for that matter why not a $250,000 home? Why does ANYONE "need" a million dollars worth of house? To stash all their important stuff?
If you got it flaunt it! 10 million isn't that much.
winter wrote:
Not her best, sadly. She has an INCREDIBLE voice and I love listening to her, but this album didn't do much for me.
I agree, she is fabulous but this is by no means her best...
Not her best, sadly. She has an INCREDIBLE voice and I love listening to her, but this album didn't do much for me.
WOW! What an album cover! The song is ok.
soja wrote:
$250,000 won't buy you a house where I live.
yeah! maybe a 1 bedroom in a neighborhood you don't really wanna be... think "watts"
This is very feminine without being tinkly like Ms Amos. Feminine and strong. Ok, I am converting to a Sarah fan.
I just saw the video for the first time last week (I guess I don't stay in much)... so... I felt I had to bump this to a 10. Merry holiday.
liser wrote:
Hell, for that matter why not a $250,000 home? Why does ANYONE "need" a million dollars worth of house? To stash all their important stuff?
$250,000 won't buy you a house where I live.
Krispian wrote:
The video has a very moving sentiment... so why does she live in a 10 million dollar home? Why not a one million dollar home?
Hell, for that matter why not a $250,000 home? Why does ANYONE "need" a million dollars worth of house? To stash all their important stuff?
Hannio wrote:
Girly in a good way. Not like Tori Amos.
hissssss.
I like some of her stuff, this just doesn't speak to me, regardless of the political connotation.
fahartle wrote:
Help, I'm sarcastic and ignorant! I must make fun of those concerned about global warming using widely inaccurate statements that's it's not humans causing the problem. *snip*
You tell 'em! And way to site sources from both ends of the political spectrum. As for Sarah, I like this and most of what she's done, though I must say that when I found out her orientation it seriously dimmed my fantasy space . . .
mmm, Sarah. Not her best album but a nice song. I remember seeing her open for The Grapes of Wrath (remember them? - didn't think so) circa 1988 in a tiny movie theatre on Commercial Drive. Most recently in a sold-out GM Place.
kazuma wrote:
Her stuff sure is girly. That's okay though.
Girly in a good way. Not like Tori Amos.