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My Gen X Playlist: Fallen – Sarah McLachlan

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Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

I heard this quote the other day. The universe must have been watching over me because the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Being a perfectionist in my career, even minor stumbles get inside my head and park there for a while. I can’t remember where I heard it, but it doesn’t matter. It served both as a warm hug and kick in the ass at the same time. It was just what I needed.

The Cars’ Just What I Needed would have slid perfectly right here. Too bad I already added that to the playlist long ago. I’ll add Sarah McLachlan’s Fallen instead. The backstory fits a little bit better anyway.

During a particularly difficult time in her life, Sarah McLachlan released “Afterglow” containing the hit single, “Fallen.”  After a period of self-examination, she realized she had made some mistakes that had caused a lifetime of pain and suffering for another (although the “another” was not mentioned in the song). 

She has lost friends and plummeted to the depths wondering how she can redeem herself.  Using this intense song, her intent is to empower people to own up to their mistakes, recognize what they have lost, and move on in life.  Perhaps this is the reason so many music lovers could find solace in “Fallen”.

TRCS

Pandemic 2020 and I discovered this song on an episode of Cold Case. I had to find out who it was. 56 yrs. old, so many regrets and mistakes. This song is how my heart feels. My heart goes out to all the people who know how this song feels. Thanks Sarah, you sing like like an angel.

YouTube comment by tranquilmangione2973

I am metal guy but damn, her lyrics are so spot on for me. I could listen to this song on an endless loop. She is a true artist.

YouTube comment by treijackson

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.




Heaven bend to take my hand
And lead me through the fire
Be the long awaited answer
To a long and painful fight

Truth be told I've tried my best
But somewhere along the way
I got caught up in all there was to offer
And the cost was so much more than I could bear

Though I've tried, I've fallen
I have sunk so low
I messed up
Better I should know
So don't come 'round here
And tell me, "I told you so."

We all begin with good intent
Love was raw and young
We believed that we could change ourselves
The past can be undone
But we carry on our back the burden
Time always reveals
In the lonely light of morning
In the wound that would not heal
It's the bitter taste of losing everything
That I've held so dear

I've fallen
I have sunk so low
I messed up
Better I should know
So don't come 'round here
And tell me, "I told you so."

Heaven bend to take my hand
Nowhere left to turn
I'm lost to those I thought were friends
To everyone I know
Oh they turn their heads embarrassed
Pretend that they don't see
That it's one missed step
One slip before you know it
And there doesn't seem a way to be redeemed

Though I've tried, I've fallen
I have sunk so low
I've messed up
Better I should know
So don't come 'round here
And tell me, "I told you so."

I've messed up
Better I should know
So don't come 'round here
And tell me, "I told you so."

22 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Fallen – Sarah McLachlan”

  1. Love Sarah McLachlan’s voice, but it seems like all her songs are so sad. Whenever that ASPCA commercial comes on with her song, “Angel” playing in the background, I have to turn the channel!
    The lyrics to this song are relatable.

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  5. Doing fine work is admirable, but perfectionism is a curse. Nice song choice, I love Sarah McLachlan’s voice and music; I didn’t know the backstory and it’s certainly relateable.

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    1. Yes, I was just commenting that it has been beneficial in my career but at a cost. I’m trying to trim that down a bit.

      I also enjoy her voice. Her tone is so good. Sometimes I’m amazed at how she uses her voice.

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  8. What’s the saying? Perfection is the enemy of progress, or something like that. I’m not familiar with this song, but it’s nice. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Nice post. As I was reading the lyrics, it occurred to me how extraordinarily talented people like Sarah are: It’s hard enough finding the words, the meter, the message…but then to add another dimension with music… unreal.

    I tend also to be perfectionist and creating that level of art…I’d never get done. I read Tom Scholz took years to release Boston’s debut album bc he kept “fine tuning” it. There comes a point when you have to say the dreaded words “that’s good enough”…and then Let it Be 😉

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    1. I read somewhere that perfection is an impossible standard. You just have to accept that there will be flaws. Once you accept it, when you discover them later, the shock value goes down because you’ve already knew it would inevitably would be uncovered. That makes perfect logical sense to me and maybe I haven’t quite managed this shit just yet. Because it’s still feels like a kick in the balls to me.

      On a less cruder note, the way she uses her voice as an instrument is amazing.

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      1. Agree. That song, Angel… just as smells bring back memories, for me, so do songs… Maybe 10 years ago was upstairs, had the radio on, they played Angel. Just then, it started to lightly snow and as the flakes drifted down and her beautiful voice with just the piano began, I was struck with such a sense of melancholy. Every time I hear it, I’m transported back to that day, that spot.

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