 Surfacing (1997) [ larger cover art ] |
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You come out at night
that's when the energy comes
and the dark side's light
and the vampires roam
you strut your rasta wear
and your suicide poem
and a cross from a faith
that died before Jesus came
you're building a mystery
You live in a church
where you sleep with voodoo dolls
and you won't give up the search
for the ghosts in the halls
you wear sandals in the snow
and a smile that won't wash away
can you look out the window
without your shadow getting in the way
oh you're so beautiful
with an edge and a charm
but so careful
when I'm in your arms
(Chorus)
'Cause you're working
building a mystery
holding on and holding it in
yeah you're working
building a mystery
and choosing so carefully
You woke up screaming aloud
a prayer from your secret god
you feed off our fears
and hold back your tears
Give us a tantrum
and a know it all grin
just when we need one
when the evening's thin
Oh you're a beautiful
a beautiful fucked up man
you're setting up your
razor wire shrine.
Chorus
Repeat chorus
that's when the energy comes
and the dark side's light
and the vampires roam
you strut your rasta wear
and your suicide poem
and a cross from a faith
that died before Jesus came
you're building a mystery
You live in a church
where you sleep with voodoo dolls
and you won't give up the search
for the ghosts in the halls
you wear sandals in the snow
and a smile that won't wash away
can you look out the window
without your shadow getting in the way
oh you're so beautiful
with an edge and a charm
but so careful
when I'm in your arms
(Chorus)
'Cause you're working
building a mystery
holding on and holding it in
yeah you're working
building a mystery
and choosing so carefully
You woke up screaming aloud
a prayer from your secret god
you feed off our fears
and hold back your tears
Give us a tantrum
and a know it all grin
just when we need one
when the evening's thin
Oh you're a beautiful
a beautiful fucked up man
you're setting up your
razor wire shrine.
Chorus
Repeat chorus
| ziakut (Slightly North of Obvlivion) | Posted: Apr 02, 2013 - 18:54 A beautiful voice, beautiful production etc. Just kind of worn thin of this tune. Great album though... |
| On_The_Beach (The Blue Planet) | Posted: Mar 05, 2013 - 17:52 One of her best for sure. This still holds up well after 16 years. |
| Darkmatter (In your system) | Posted: Jan 30, 2013 - 00:06 "Listen to your heart, when it's calling for you..."  |
| MirageRF (Clemmons, NC, USA) | Posted: Jan 01, 2013 - 23:00 Sarah must have learned her music from the angels. She always touches my heart.............. |
| annie_fannie (Iowa) | Posted: Dec 29, 2012 - 15:49 RP is so full of hate. i mean, i sort of resent her for those ASPCA commercials with the sad dogs. even the dogs are like, 'jeez, Sarah, dial down the melodrama a bit. we're just dogs.' but otherwise i've always really liked her stuff. not sure how this is caterwauling. pretty mellow to me...but then, i like a diverse set that includes female punk vocalists too. |
| neuticle (fog fog fog) | Posted: Dec 01, 2012 - 14:09 "heartfelt caterwauling" according to a coworker... |
| Bleyfusz | Posted: Dec 01, 2012 - 14:09 Excellent lyrics. |
| Proclivities (Carrboro, NC) | Posted: Nov 28, 2012 - 07:00 msymmes wrote: Bill, Let's call a truce between Canada and the USA. Stop playing Sarah M. and The Cowbow Junkies AND stop play Natalie M. Fair deal? There's apparently a trade in the works: Anne Murray and Nickelback for 4 Non Blondes and Billy Joel. |
| mrtuba9 (most likely near Normal) | Posted: Nov 28, 2012 - 06:58 msymmes wrote: Bill, Let's call a truce between Canada and the USA. Stop playing Sarah M. and The Cowbow Junkies AND stop play Natalie M. Fair deal? Yeah, not sure what the point is, but look up Lianna Klassen...Song for Canada/America/Ireland. There's your truce... |
| WonderLizard (2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise) | Posted: May 23, 2012 - 06:21 I love air drumming to this song. Ashwin Sood lags ever so slightly on the downbeat. Neat effect. |
| TJS (Bradley, Il) | Posted: May 23, 2012 - 06:19 msymmes wrote: Bill, Let's call a truce between Canada and the USA. Stop playing Sarah M. and The Cowbow Junkies AND stop play Natalie M. Fair deal? What are you going to do in return? Doesn't seem like any sort of bargain unless telling someone what to do is a 'deal'. |
| msymmes (Toronto, CA) | Posted: Apr 21, 2012 - 12:50 Bill, Let's call a truce between Canada and the USA. Stop playing Sarah M. and The Cowbow Junkies AND stop play Natalie M. Fair deal? |
| ufamsm (Austin, TX, USA) | Posted: Dec 16, 2011 - 15:25 Cynaera wrote: Mission accomplished - that's what those commercials do. They tug the heartstrings and make people feel sorrow for abused animals (not just puppies.) I admire her stand, and I used to love her music. The first thing I ever heard by her was "Drawn to the Rhythm," and I bought the cassette and played it to death. Kinda tired of her music now, but if I could get a break from it, I'd probably become a listener again. BTW: I change channels when her commercials air, because I don't want to cry anymore. Fully agree. A friend of mine played "Black" and I went straight to the natural healing/Wicca shop downtown (I lived in Nebraska at the time) to grab it. |
| Cynaera (Oh, who cares?) | Posted: Dec 16, 2011 - 15:18 ufamsm wrote: Used to be such a huge fan of this album and some of the ones before it. Now whenever I hear any of her songs, all I can think of is PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! Mission accomplished - that's what those commercials do. They tug the heartstrings and make people feel sorrow for abused animals (not just puppies.) I admire her stand, and I used to love her music. The first thing I ever heard by her was "Drawn to the Rhythm," and I bought the cassette and played it to death. Kinda tired of her music now, but if I could get a break from it, I'd probably become a listener again. BTW: I change channels when her commercials air, because I don't want to cry anymore. |
| ufamsm (Austin, TX, USA) | Posted: Dec 16, 2011 - 15:13 MiracleDrug wrote: do you require medical assistance? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO9d2PpP7tQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gspElv1yvc |
| MiracleDrug (Earth) | Posted: Dec 16, 2011 - 15:11 ufamsm wrote: Used to be such a huge fan of this album and some of the ones before it. Now whenever I hear any of her songs, all I can think of is PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! do you require medical assistance? |
| ufamsm (Austin, TX, USA) | Posted: Dec 16, 2011 - 15:10 Used to be such a huge fan of this album and some of the ones before it. Now whenever I hear any of her songs, all I can think of is PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEFORMED PUPPIES IN CAGES! DEAD PUPPIES IN CAGES! |
| On_The_Beach (The Blue Planet) | Posted: Sep 12, 2011 - 20:05 spacemoose wrote: I blame the commercial nature of the music industry. . . . (see full post below) Excellent post, spacemoose!  |
| Alexandra (Here and Now) | Posted: Aug 12, 2011 - 11:02 This conjures memories from a really great decade of my life.  |
| spacemoose | Posted: Apr 08, 2011 - 04:48 On_The_Beach wrote: I wouldn't say "she has fallen so far", but like so many artists, she went through an incredibly creative period and then just kinda started repeating herself. Think The Stones, The Who, CSN, Paul McCartney and the list goes on. Most mere mortals only have so many great songs in them until the well runs dry. I blame the commercial nature of the music industry. When people achieve commercial success they become subject so such a vastly different set of influences than those that motivated them to begin with, and those that motivate the normal human being. They live in a sort of bubble and are pushed by the economics of the system and the executive and sycophants whispering in their ears. So they strive to reproduce their success, rather than to produce something of artistic merit, or to generate an artistic expression of some deeper experience. The musicians become victims of their own success. They suffer, society suffers, and a parasitic and exploitative group of grasping individuals, whose primary job is to own things, grows fat. I haven't done a thorough analysis, but I have the impression that there is a strong correlation between financial success and the deterioration of the contributions of an artist. Those artists with long creative careers are those for whom mainstream success remains elusive, or who only obtain a limited, fringe success. The worst cases are those who achieve success too quickly and are not mature enough to resist the corrupting influences. It's worth noting that the copyright-oligarchy achieves this by subverting democracy and perverting copyright laws, which provides yet another reason to question copyright (see www.questioncopyright.org). |
| Kittee (NC- Dreaming of the Mountains) | Posted: Mar 07, 2011 - 16:57 One of the most beautiful songs ever written and sung. Came out while I was in highschool so bubbles up all those good feelings everytime I hear it. You know, windows down on the car, driving fast, wind blowing though your hair... |
| audiophelia (Pennsylvania) | Posted: Feb 04, 2011 - 09:16 cayenne: I always thought she was referring to an ankh. |
| fredriley (Nottingham, UK) | Posted: Feb 04, 2011 - 09:13 cayenne wrote: I've always imagined that the ancient religion she alludes to in this song is Druidism. Not with the reference to vampires, which is a relatively late concept. I'm not sure she's referring to anything in particular, just a sort of generic paganism/animism. |
| le_colonel | Posted: May 26, 2010 - 11:01 8. I'm in a generous mood today. |
| scrubbrush | Posted: May 26, 2010 - 10:57 overplayed adult contemporary |
| westslope (BC coast) | Posted: Apr 24, 2010 - 17:49 physicsgenius wrote: I like the chorus of this song, even though the goth junk is so 90s. Also, it brings back good memories of pre-Bush America. The 1990s were the Golden Era.
|
| ugly (Compton, CA) | Posted: Mar 24, 2010 - 02:51 rbigelo wrote: 'Surfacing' and 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy' are on my top shelf of all time favorite works by a single artist. They reside alongside Elton John's 'Madman Across the Water' and Pink Floyd's 'Animals.'  Wow we are completely on the same page. Those are my exact top shelf choices as well.  |
| bronorb (Wisconsin) | Posted: Nov 18, 2009 - 07:01 After reading the lyrics in a previous post, I have new respect for this song and for Sarah. |
| rbigelo (Spanish Town) | Posted: Aug 15, 2009 - 18:35 'Surfacing' and 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy' are on my top shelf of all time favorite works by a single artist. They reside alongside Elton John's 'Madman Across the Water' and Pink Floyd's 'Animals.' |
| RadioDoc (Chicagoland) | Posted: May 12, 2009 - 13:59 to_the_eleven wrote: guess I was only exposed to this one on FM radio; never heard the f*bomb verse before. It's always been there, with the vowel edited out... |
| to_the_eleven (in the groove) | Posted: May 12, 2009 - 13:51 guess I was only exposed to this one on FM radio; never heard the f*bomb verse before. |
| wenatchee (Duvall, WA) | Posted: May 12, 2009 - 13:50 Sarah gets a 10 and the song gets an 8 . . . I hereby proclaim this to be an 18! |
| On_The_Beach (Vancouver, Canada) | Posted: Apr 11, 2009 - 00:07 mjwstickings wrote: Perhaps her last great song. She has fallen so far since Fumbling. I wouldn't say "she has fallen so far", but like so many artists, she went through an incredibly creative period and then just kinda started repeating herself. Think The Stones, The Who, CSN, Paul McCartney and the list goes on. Most mere mortals only have so many great songs in them until the well runs dry. |
| peter_james_bond (Lunenburg, NS) | Posted: Mar 10, 2009 - 11:24 holborne wrote: This is the only song of hers I can stand, but it is a nice one. I hear you, I think she has a great voice but (and I know I'm in the minority here) it's wasted on so many mediocre songs. I love the song she did with Delerium but I really wish she had recorded songs with some edge...just rocked out more. |
| cayenne (in over my head) | Posted: Dec 05, 2008 - 17:08 holborne wrote: I almost hate to break this news to you, pevend, but your ignorance is showing. Islam is a way, way younger religion than Christianity, by about 600 years. No surprise, somehow, that you don't have any idea what you're talking about. Well said, holborne. I've always imagined that the ancient religion she alludes to in this song is Druidism. |
| holborne (New York, NY) | Posted: Oct 03, 2008 - 13:06 pevend wrote: If not for people like George Bush fighting against Islamic fascism, it might not be too long before we all are reduced to wearing sandals in the snow and are forced to adhere to a faith from before Jesus. Very good song, too. I almost hate to break this news to you, pevend, but your ignorance is showing. Islam is a way, way younger religion than Christianity, by about 600 years. No surprise, somehow, that you don't have any idea what you're talking about. |
| peyotecoyote (Home of Sir Frederick Banting) | Posted: Oct 03, 2008 - 13:05 pevend wrote: If not for people like George Bush fighting against Islamic fascism, it might not be too long before we all are reduced to wearing sandals in the snow and are forced to adhere to a faith from before Jesus. Very good song, too. F***me...are people really that stupid in your world? I love early SM. Her material was just so pure in the beginning. |
| holborne (New York, NY) | Posted: Oct 03, 2008 - 13:04 This is the only song of hers I can stand, but it is a nice one. |
| Kerly (Estonia) | Posted: Sep 01, 2008 - 23:59 Older stuff always seems better. Very good. |
| SmackDaddy (San Diego) | Posted: Jun 30, 2008 - 19:19 pevend wrote: If not for people like George Bush fighting against Islamic fascism, it might not be too long before we all are reduced to wearing sandals in the snow and are forced to adhere to a faith from before Jesus.
Very good song, too. If you truly think Bush is fighting Islamic fascism out of an idealology, then you are truly blind and neither religion can help you. |
| Ag3nt0rang3 | Posted: May 30, 2008 - 08:46 pevend wrote: If not for people like George Bush fighting against Islamic fascism, it might not be too long before we all are reduced to wearing sandals in the snow and are forced to adhere to a faith from before Jesus.
Very good song, too. But who's going to protect us from Christian Fascism? I agree about the song. |
| Ericac (Lakeville, MN) | Posted: May 30, 2008 - 08:30 Watching her perform this song in a large venue concert was so good. The combination of her voice and a great backup band was most memorable. |
| Rickvee (New Orleans) | Posted: Mar 28, 2008 - 13:10 A wonderful song from the last quality album she ever released. |
| rickhoran (Eastern PA) | Posted: Mar 28, 2008 - 08:46 i like the cd. always have and its good "mood music".  |
| kysmet (Discombobulation Nation) | Posted: Mar 28, 2008 - 08:46 self-righteous? hmmm, i've never seen that in her. |
| electronicshaman (miskatonic) | Posted: Feb 25, 2008 - 20:36 I remember being intrigued and excited by self-righteous McLachlan... ...then I heard some of her songs. |
| rbigelo (Spanish Town) | Posted: Nov 23, 2007 - 14:14 I prefer the live version on "Mirrorball," not to imply this one is bad, but that's she is AWESOME in a live performance and a really cool human being in person. |
| tnt_thomas (PLEASE! No C&W! - This ain't RodeoParadise!!) | Posted: Nov 23, 2007 - 14:07 pevend wrote: If not for people like George Bush fighting against Islamic fascism, it might not be too long before we all are reduced to wearing sandals in the snow and are forced to adhere to a faith from before Jesus.
Christianity springs from a 10-century-long Eygptian religion by way of Judiasm - only the names have changed. Islam too is descended from older religions. Just folks coping with community relations and fear of death/pain. Read your Dawkins and "The Pagan Christ" !! Your argument is spurious. And silly IMHO. |
| rKokon (MD) | Posted: Nov 23, 2007 - 14:01 The least magical of her renditions of this song. Please find a better one. Many intelligent and knowledgeable comments have been posted on this page! |
| robco1 (Chicago, IL) | Posted: Aug 21, 2007 - 09:39 pevend wrote: If not for people like George Bush fighting against Islamic fascism, it might not be too long before we all are reduced to wearing sandals in the snow and are forced to adhere to a faith from before Jesus.
Very good song, too. You must drink a lot of Kool-aid.  |