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Sarah McLachlan — Possession
Album: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3515









Released: 1993
Length: 4:30
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Listen as the wind blows from across the great divide
Voices trapped in yearning, memories trapped in time
The night is my companion, and solitude my guide
Would I spend forever here and not be satisfied?

And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I'll take your breath away
And after, I'd wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear

Through this world I've stumbled
So many times betrayed
Trying to find an honest word to find
The truth enslaved
Oh you speak to me in riddles
And you speak to me in rhymes
My body aches to breathe your breath
Your words keep me alive

And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I'll take your breath away
And after, I'd wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear

Into this night I wander
It's morning that I dread
Another day of knowing of
The path I fear to tread
Oh into the sea of waking dreams
I follow without pride
Cause nothing stands between us here
And I won't be denied

And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I'll take your breath away
And after, I'd wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes...
Comments (448)add comment
One of several incredible albums from Sarah over a short span - moving material, gorgeous sound. 
Crazy to think this song is all about rape amd sexual abuse
The passing years make it more obvious to me what an incredible talent Sarah McLachlan is. 
 dandueck07 wrote:
If you posted this comment just to troll for suckers who might actually respond, you just netted one.  How you took this beautiful song, and then spun it into a rant about fishing regulations in BC boggles my mind.  By any chance, do you cover your head with tinfoil when you wander into cornfields?  

In westslope's defense, he also posted this:
"From the creepiness of extreme narcissistic celebrity culture comes this amazing song.
Talk about turning an ugly situation into an opportunity.... a beautiful piece of art."
Another one of my top 10 tunes on a desert island. But at this point I'm way over 10! 
Yuck!
 westslope wrote:

This song reminds me of my favourite steelhead fly, a highly original pattern of mine.   I call it the Bad American.

It is a facetious reference to anti-native, public resource freeloading British Columbia steelhead anglers who are doing their best to keep American anglers off the water.


American steelhead anglers are the best tourists you could possibly hope for.


A lot of Canadians have really no idea how they fucked over First Nations and continue to do so.  


I suppose the "fucked over the First Nations" goes both ways, and in the PNW for sure the impacts are still being dealt with (Dams in particular.)  

I did find these lyrics to sort of match the sentiment of your post: 

Listen as the wind blows from across the great divide
Voices trapped in yearning, memories trapped in time
The night is my companion, and solitude my guide
Would I spend forever here and not be satisfied?

Long Live RP and all the peoples of the world (First, Second, and one day hopefully billions of years from now, the Last Nations too) 
First time i heard this song by Sarah and gave it a 8
 westslope wrote:
This song reminds me of my favourite steelhead fly, a highly original pattern of mine.   I call it the Bad American.

It is a facetious reference to anti-native, public resource freeloading British Columbia steelhead anglers who are doing their best to keep American anglers off the water.


American steelhead anglers are the best tourists you could possibly hope for.


A lot of Canadians have really no idea how they fucked over First Nations and continue to do so.  
 

You ok hun?
 dandueck07 wrote:


If you posted this comment just to troll for suckers who might actually respond, you just netted one.  How you took this beautiful song, and then spun it into a rant about fishing regulations in BC boggles my mind.  By any chance, do you cover your head with tinfoil when you wander into cornfields?  
 
Thank you for personal insults.

I do appreciate your personal ignorance as to what this 'beautiful song' is all about.  

Would guess that you love Big Bootheel politics. 
Oh the 90’s. Such simple times. Live performance was excellent. Long live the decade of “chick” music.
meh
Like the U.S. didn't? 

westslope wrote:
This song reminds me of my favourite steelhead fly, a highly original pattern of mine.   I call it the Bad American.

It is a facetious reference to anti-native, public resource freeloading British Columbia steelhead anglers who are doing their best to keep American anglers off the water.


American steelhead anglers are the best tourists you could possibly hope for.


A lot of Canadians have really no idea how they fucked over First Nations and continue to do so.  
 

 westslope wrote:
This song reminds me of my favourite steelhead fly, a highly original pattern of mine.   I call it the Bad American.

It is a facetious reference to anti-native, public resource freeloading British Columbia steelhead anglers who are doing their best to keep American anglers off the water.


American steelhead anglers are the best tourists you could possibly hope for.


A lot of Canadians have really no idea how they fucked over First Nations and continue to do so.  
 

If you posted this comment just to troll for suckers who might actually respond, you just netted one.  How you took this beautiful song, and then spun it into a rant about fishing regulations in BC boggles my mind.  By any chance, do you cover your head with tinfoil when you wander into cornfields?  
I love the bass prowling around like a panther in the background ...
If you like the song, please look for Live performances of her from that era. What an amazing artist!
Su voz enamora!
This song reminds me of my favourite steelhead fly, a highly original pattern of mine.   I call it the Bad American.

It is a facetious reference to anti-native, public resource freeloading British Columbia steelhead anglers who are doing their best to keep American anglers off the water.


American steelhead anglers are the best tourists you could possibly hope for.


A lot of Canadians have really no idea how they fucked over First Nations and continue to do so.  
 Highlowsel wrote:
Say what you will about the song but....

"..I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I'll take your breath away.."

Someone says that (to you) then you'd be good to understand the person expressing it is the incarnation of lust (for you).  To which it is always best to say come over here right now (lady) and KISS ME!?  {#Kiss}

Highlow
American Net'Zen

 
And "Every Breath You Take" is a love song.
Oh God, not AGAIN!
 EdEastridge wrote:
". . . The song was inspired by . . ."
(see below)
 
Thanks Ed for the full story.
Always knew it was about a stalker but didn't know the details.
 Highlowsel wrote:
Say what you will about the song but....

"..I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I'll take your breath away.."

Someone says that (to you) then you'd be good to understand the person expressing it is the incarnation of lust (for you).  To which it is always best to say come over here right now (lady) and KISS ME!?  {#Kiss}

Highlow
American Net'Zen

 
Or, depending upon the circumstances, run like hell as it could be someone with untoward intentions and the desire to see them through

"...Cause nothing stands between us here
And I won't be denied..."

I'd personally much prefer the situation matched yours, but unfortunately the truth seems to be far darker.

"The song was inspired by McLachlan's reaction to two deranged fans of hers, both of whom had concocted a fantasy in which they were already in a relationship with McLachlan. Of the two, the more famous is Uwe Vandrei, an OttawaOntario native who sued McLachlan in 1994, alleging that his love letters to her had been the basis of "Possession". Vandrei had written and sent McLachlan love poems, although there is no direct connection between those poems and the lyrics of "Possession." Vandrei's lawsuit never came to trial as he committed suicide in the autumn of 1994." — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Possession_(Sarah_McLachlan_song)

Amazing how such a gorgeous song could come from such experiences.
Say what you will about the song but....

"..I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I'll take your breath away.."

Someone says that (to you) then you'd be good to understand the person expressing it is the incarnation of lust (for you).  To which it is always best to say come over here right now (lady) and KISS ME!?  {#Kiss}

Highlow
American Net'Zen
When I saw her a couple of years ago live I couldn't beleive how good she was. I thought she was very commercial up until then.
So incredibly sensual.
 just close your ears dear  whomhow wrote:
That lady always sounds outdated, can't help it. 

 

 DaidyBoy wrote:

That's what I am saying, there's no need to be rude about it.  The internet is not the radio.  Drive a car here, turn on what we all call THE RADIO.  Not everyone has high tech internet based gadgets wherever they are.

 
Yeah, but but people who aren't wired up and only listen to "radio" are irrelevant in the post modern world.

They could never do something outlandish, like, oh, I don't know...say, determine the outcome of an election. 
The story of her efforts to get her first album released is interesting.
 whomhow wrote:
That lady always sounds outdated, can't help it. 

 
Keyboards and vocals have always and shall forever rule.Get off my lawn.
While we're on Can-con, it would be nice to hear more 54-40 on RP.
Hey OTB,  Nice one.

Outdated, the new stylish.   
 whomhow wrote:
That lady always sounds outdated, can't help it.
 
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/a/T2eC16NHJG8E9nyfmZEEBQHeBJV1bQ~~/s-l300.jpg
Bumping this back up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UgPeBjHIjE

and for those of you who don't know what the origins of this song, go look it up (look for the stalker story). 
 whomhow wrote:
That lady always sounds outdated, can't help it. 

 
Perhaps I do know what you mean.........I used to like Veal Parmi, as our Aussie brethren would have it .
That lady always sounds outdated, can't help it. 
<3
From the creepiness of extreme narcissistic celebrity culture comes this amazing song.

Talk about turning an ugly situation into an opportunity....  a beautiful piece of art.   
 1wolfy wrote:
 I see it more as an extreme physical desire for someone..erotically powerful ! passsion8 wrote:
crogers wrote:
"My body aches to breathe your breath, your words keep me alive."

I mean, Wow.  Right?
 

 
Deceptively simple sound to a very powerful urge - to dominate / possess. Absolutely reeks lyrically of an overwhelming power play. "Nothing stands between us here, and I won't be denied..." The eternal struggle between patience and immediacy / allowing and demanding. Genius.

 
 
A lot of people think "Every Breath You Take" is a love song, too.
 I see it more as an extreme physical desire for someone..erotically powerful ! passsion8 wrote:
crogers wrote:
"My body aches to breathe your breath, your words keep me alive."

I mean, Wow.  Right?
 

 
Deceptively simple sound to a very powerful urge - to dominate / possess. Absolutely reeks lyrically of an overwhelming power play. "Nothing stands between us here, and I won't be denied..." The eternal struggle between patience and immediacy / allowing and demanding. Genius.

 

"Its one of those marmite songs" as we say in Blighty.    Funny 'cause like many acts on here like DCFC or Delerium for example, she hardly gets any airplay over here if ever, so we are not sick to death like some of the 'Merkins are.    I think she has done some fantastic stuff and this is my personal fav.   The song is musically great and lyrically captivating and the back story we have all heard or read means that it has taken on a life of its own. This is probably why we are here listening to and talking about it almost a quarter of a century on.
I went looking to see if anyone had included this already, but according to SM's own info, the lyrics are apparently based upon a stalker's letter to her...so, yeah, context is important.
crogers wrote:
"My body aches to breathe your breath, your words keep me alive."

I mean, Wow.  Right?
 

 
Deceptively simple sound to a very powerful urge - to dominate / possess. Absolutely reeks lyrically of an overwhelming power play. "Nothing stands between us here, and I won't be denied..." The eternal struggle between patience and immediacy / allowing and demanding. Genius.
Irritating at best.
{#No}     {#No}     {#No}
 Skydog wrote:
It's an OK song, I didn't rate it but I have a question, is it RP worthy?

 

Yes
How come this being rated so high? Don't like her voice.
 Steely_D wrote:
Had a girl come on to me once saying "I'll take your breath away."
Still, she knew I was married. Bad form, eh? 

 
Maybe, but it was memorable enough come-on for you to mention it here {#Tongue-out}
Overplayed when it came out as are so many. Or were, back in the days when we listened to the radio for music. Haven't heard this in a while. WOW what a great tune and lyrics. It ages really well! This will be a "classic". Nice to hear it again!
 Huey wrote:

Waaahhh ? {#Stupid}  the net is the net. RP is internet radio, Doesn't matter where you live.  Download the app.

 
That's what I am saying, there's no need to be rude about it.  The internet is not the radio.  Drive a car here, turn on what we all call THE RADIO.  Not everyone has high tech internet based gadgets wherever they are.
Once agreeable but played out. 
Sorta dido esque
Re-bumping this excellent live version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyhdsAcwtj8
 DaidyBoy wrote:

Sadly there is nothing like RP on the radio here in the UK.  I don't think I have ever heard Sarah on the radio here, either.  I think she came to my attention in the Due South mountie series years ago.

 
Waaahhh ? {#Stupid}  the net is the net. RP is internet radio, Doesn't matter where you live.  Download the app.
One of my favs.....
 Fiji5555 wrote:
I've seen her 4 times and each concert was wonderful. I wish she could write as well today as she did back then. Will always love this album.

 
Sometimes you just run out of new songs, good ones anyway.
I love her. 
I've seen her 4 times and each concert was wonderful. I wish she could write as well today as she did back then. Will always love this album.

"My body aches to breathe your breath, your words keep me alive."

I mean, Wow.  Right?
 
 scrubbrush wrote:
Solid 7 (Quite Likable) and instant PSD for me... i've just heard it too much.

 
Amen.
Had a girl come on to me once saying "I'll take your breath away."
Still, she knew I was married. Bad form, eh? 
In a million years I would never think to follow Pink Floyd with Sarah McLachlan.  Thanks again, Bill, for a wonderful segue.
 Stingray wrote:
More than 10!

pfffffff.... 

 
Nyet
Solid 7 (Quite Likable) and instant PSD for me... i've just heard it too much.
More than 10!

pfffffff.... 
{#Sunny}
 stunix wrote:
{#Yes}
Stunningly talented woman and top tune.

 


 DaidyBoy wrote:

Sadly there is nothing like RP on the radio here in the UK.  I don't think I have ever heard Sarah on the radio here, either.  I think she came to my attention in the Due South mountie series years ago.

 

Record RP, convert to mp3 files, then listen in the car! www.dar.fm
"Voices trapped in urine ..." ;)
She has a new album and is currently touring -->



https://www.sarahmclachlan.com/tour/
 teadye wrote:

And for some of us RP *is* the car radio...

 
Sadly there is nothing like RP on the radio here in the UK.  I don't think I have ever heard Sarah on the radio here, either.  I think she came to my attention in the Due South mountie series years ago.
Pick up that stitch, man! Every one of 'em!  {#Cheesygrin}
Takes me back to high school (in a good way)! 8
{#Wave}..... this is so very good for my ears
  9
singing along at my desk, getting my Lilith Fair on
 jasonv wrote:

some of us don't listen to car radio and are quite please it's in rotation...



 
And for some of us RP *is* the car radio...
The first time I ever heard Sarah McLachlan was this song which was being played – believe it or not – as a music video on an Air France transatlantic flight in 1992 during the Albertville Olympics. Loved this song ever since.

By the way, I wonder how she's doing as a gardener these days up in Portland. {#Drummer} 
 Proclivities wrote:

There are a lot of songs on RP which I hear on my car radio very often; some of them are among the highest rated tunes on the playlist.

 
I live in Wales. She doesn't get much air time on BBC 6 music, or any other British station. Thanks, Bill for giving this Canadian expat a little Sarah fix.
I rode in an elevator with her and her friend 4 years ago.  She is quite stunning (and quite petite) in person.

Have really enjoyed hearing her stuff evolve over the years. 
Some bands/artists just can't do wrong. Sarah with her very distinguishable voice and piano for me is one is one of those that can't do wrong.
 Proclivities wrote:

There are a lot of songs on RP which I hear on my car radio very often; some of them are among the highest rated tunes on the playlist.

 
some of us don't listen to car radio and are quite please it's in rotation...


yes she is delicious   (oh magic genie make me into her blue boa for a night! shazam)
Such a great musician & poet. Bumped into her once in Vancouver.
Sarah's solo piano & vocal version of this song is sooo much better than this version.
 On_The_Beach wrote: 
and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UgPeBjHIjE  
 Proclivities wrote:

There are a lot of songs on RP which I hear on my car radio very often; some of them are among the highest rated tunes on the playlist.

 
Yup...some songs are just plain good across the board. We need to learn to just deal with them for what they are I guess.
Had this on rewind a few times...what a voice!


     
 SinisterDexter wrote:
I really do like this song - but I'm with others to say that it doesn't need to be on RP.  I hear it enough of it on my car radio.

 
There are a lot of songs on RP which I hear on my car radio very often; some of them are among the highest rated tunes on the playlist.  There is an odd "rule" that some people here try to apply: that if they hear a song on terrestrial radio they shouldn't have to hear it on RP.  I understand that some songs seem "overplayed, etc., but that seems like a silly rule to me.  If I like a song it doesn't really matter where I hear it - like this song for example.
 stunix wrote:
can I also point out that the live version is better, it has an energy and a guitar solo. (edit)
 
Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyhdsAcwtj8
can I also point out that the live version is better, it has an energy and a guitar solo.

a bit like that Majesty song.
 Pilgrim301 wrote:
Can Con!
(it's the only good thing I can say about this song — I'm tired of Sarah-worshipping and have been since the early 90s)

 
Well, no musician is worthy of worship. But this song is OK to listen to.
 BluEyes wrote:
I love this song. I loved it before I ever heard it was inspired by a stalker. I hear it and feel it as a deeply personal love song. I love the combination of the music, the liquid mercury of her voice, and the words themselves. The total package is a 10 for me. The only radio that I usually listen to in my car is NPR so this is never overplayed for me.  Thank you, Bill.
 
My sentiments also, precisely stated.
 krysthal wrote:
 lkovathana wrote:
Generally, I like Sarah McLachlan.   Don't know what happened here ...

Sarah McLachlan's older material, particularly this album, is a little "darker" that her more recent work. The songs on this album are not the type that you initially find yourself singing along with. Her followup album 'Surfacing' was her breakout album, with 'Building a Mystery', 'Adia', 'Sweet Surrender' and 'Angel'. Much more accessible for most audiences (certainly more commercial). She's still awesome, but I prefer 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy' over all her other albums.

 
Agreed. "Fumbling..." was her best.
 lkovathana wrote:
Generally, I like Sarah McLachlan.   Don't know what happened here ...

 

Generally, I don't care for Sarah McLachlan.  Don't know what happened here...
 PatsyMat wrote:
Well, I heard this at the supermarket.... too much!  too often!

 
Here in my village supermarket I've heard it too. Hope she sees the royalties.
remembering hearing this for the first time on fresh air on NPR (i think) and knowing it was going to be huge.
Can Con!
(it's the only good thing I can say about this song — I'm tired of Sarah-worshipping and have been since the early 90s)
{#Music}
I love this song. I loved it before I ever heard it was inspired by a stalker. I hear it and feel it as a deeply personal love song. I love the combination of the music, the liquid mercury of her voice, and the words themselves. The total package is a 10 for me. The only radio that I usually listen to in my car is NPR so this is never overplayed for me.  Thank you, Bill.
 lkovathana wrote:
Generally, I like Sarah McLachlan.   Don't know what happened here ...

Sarah McLachlan's older material, particularly this album, is a little "darker" that her more recent work. The songs on this album are not the type that you initially find yourself singing along with. Her followup album 'Surfacing' was her breakout album, with 'Building a Mystery', 'Adia', 'Sweet Surrender' and 'Angel'. Much more accessible for most audiences (certainly more commercial). She's still awesome, but I prefer 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy' over all her other albums.
Generally, I like Sarah McLachlan.   Don't know what happened here ...
Im sure wherever you guys live, this is overplayed, but most of the stations here dont play good music. 
an easy 9, and may reconcider upwards later as its not fair to rate a song on regularity of airplay.

Stunningly talented woman and top tune.
 
ziakut wrote:
So much for a great set of songs. Sarah is talented...but this song brings down the wonderful previous set.
 
Sez you.
So much for a great set of songs. Sarah is talented...but this song brings down the wonderful previous set.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Just wanted to bump the link to this excellent live version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyhdsAcwtj8
 
This is a stunningly good live version too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UgPeBjHIjE 
Sarah could sing the friggin' phone book to me.
 SinisterDexter wrote:
I really do like this song - but I'm with others to say that it doesn't need to be on RP.  I hear it enough of it on my car radio.
 
Some of us don't listen to commercial radio.  Why would you suffer with all of those crappy commercials when you can listen to RP?
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Just wanted to bump the link to this excellent live version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyhdsAcwtj8
 
Thx!
Just wanted to bump the link to this excellent live version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyhdsAcwtj8


For me, one of Sarah's best songs and without doubt, her finest album. @SinisterDexter: Still listen to the CD and love it, great hearing it on RP too!  @Poacher: For me it was the other way round. Bought the CD not knowing who she was and fell in love with the music. Had it in my collection for well over 15 years now.


 Poacher wrote:

On the other hand, there are many, many here who have never heard this outside of RP. . . including me. 
 
Really ?  Would you like to buy a CD ?

EDIT:  Another RP listener had pointed out how the world has plenty of plastic/metal discs in the world.  He is right; I wish I didn't have as many as I do.   Recycling is where it's at, I guess.  
 SinisterDexter wrote:
I really do like this song - but I'm with others to say that it doesn't need to be on RP.  I hear it enough of it on my car radio.
 
On the other hand, there are many, many here who have never heard this outside of RP. . . including me. 
 SinisterDexter wrote:
I really do like this song - but I'm with others to say that it doesn't need to be on RP.  I hear it enough of it on my car radio.
 

Where are you listening to the radio? I don't think I've heard this on the radio since 1998 or so...

Rated this a 9, but the live version is a 10.  Incredible.


 gillespp wrote:

And this one, which is the BEST:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UgPeBjHIjE

 
 
Whoa, thanks for that!  Didn't think of it going that way (rocking)...
Well, I heard this at the supermarket.... too much!  too often!
 fredriley wrote:

That puts another slant on the lyrics. Until reading that I'd assumed that it was a love song from her to another she adored, though I still think it works as that as well. As the page you quote above says:Despite the dark inspiration behind the lyrics, many fans have embraced ``Possession'' as a love song coming from the perspective of a female that truly wants to claim the object of her desire. Words written from the perspective of an obsessed male stalker can apparently be seen as passionate when sung from a woman to a male.To which I'd have to agree. If a woman felt this about me (fat chance!) I'd see it as passionate, but also somewhat disturbing. I suppose there's a thin line between infatuation and obsession...

 
This is such a powerful song, regardless of the inspiration.  I listened to it for years before I became aware of its underlying meaning.  Knowing the subject has not changed how I feel about the song at all.  Its just a factoid for me.

I love the composition, the beat, the texture, her voice, the lyrics. all of it.  I doubt that I will ever get tired of hearing it. 

It feeds my head the same way as Gracie's (Slick) voice does.


 Stingray wrote:
I want to "love" some beautiful female...

aaaaahhh....

 
Why is the word 'love' in quotes?
I really do like this song - but I'm with others to say that it doesn't need to be on RP.  I hear it enough of it on my car radio.
I recommend the stripped down version on "The Freedom Sessions". For me, it's more powerful than the standard studio version.

(I haven't heard the live version that people below are raving about below.)