Building A Mystery

Sarah McLachlan

About Building A Mystery

"Building a Mystery" is a song by Sarah McLachlan, from her fourth studio album Surfacing, first released in 1997. At a live performance, Sarah explains the song as being "basically about the fact that we all... have insecurities to hide, and we often do that by putting on a facade." She also goes on to say that "unfortunately, if we just be who we are, that's usually the more attractive and beautiful thing". The song was an immediate top-forty and adult contemporary hit that paved the grounds for her future songs "Sweet Surrender", "Adia" and "Angel", all from Surfacing, and it has received several awards. Commercially, "Building a Mystery" was Canada's best-selling single of 1997, topping the country's official chart for eight weeks, and peaked at number 13 in the United States. "Building a Mystery" won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 40th Grammy Awards. 


Year:
2000
137 
#1

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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?

You're so beautiful
With an edge and 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, oh
Give us a tantrum
And a know it all grin
Just when we need one
When the evening's thin

You're a beautiful
A beautiful fucked up man
You're setting up your
Razor wire shrine

'Cause you're working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Yeah you're working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully

Oh, you're working, 
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Yeah you're working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully
Yeah, you're working,
Building a mystery,
Holding on and holding it in,
Oh yeah you're working,
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully

You're building a mystery.

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Sarah McLachlan

Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC (born January 28, 1968) is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2009, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards (out of four nominations) and four Juno Awards. In addition to her personal artistic efforts, she founded the Lilith Fair tour, which showcased female musicians. The Lilith Fair concert tours took place from 1997 to 1999, and resumed in the summer of 2010. Since 2006 she has also been known as a highly visible supporter of the ASPCA, as well as various other charities. more »

8 fans

Written by: Pierre Marchand, Sarah Ann McLachlan

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 4237579 CANADA INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Recording History
"Building a Mystery" was recorded in 1997 by Sarah McLachlan.
Album Affiliation
The song is part of Sarah McLachlan's multi-platinum album, "Surfacing."
Chart Performance
The song remained on Billboard's Top 100 for 53 weeks, eventually charting at No. 13.
Grammy Award
In 1998, "Building a Mystery" earned Sarah McLachlan a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Songwriting
Sarah McLachlan co-wrote "Building a Mystery" with her producer Pierre Marchand.
Critical Acclaim
This song and its album "Surfacing" are often considered Sarah McLachlan's commercial breakthrough.
Musical Style
"Building a Mystery" features McLachlan's signature emotive, lilting vocals and introspective lyrics.
Concert Favourite
The song is a staple in Sarah McLachlan's live performances and is a crowd favorite.
Inspirational Themes
McLachlan has indicated that the song's lyrics delve into the theme of the "discrepancy between what people are on the outside and what they are within."
Music Video
The atmospheric music video of "Building a Mystery" was directed by Matt Mahurin and received substantial airplay on MTV.
Vinyl Release
In 2019, "Building a Mystery" was re-released on vinyl as part of the Surfacing 20th anniversary edition.
Cover Versions
The song was covered by American rock band Camper Van Beethoven for the 1998 tribute album "Legacy: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours."

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    Building A Mystery

    9M
    46,483     1,850

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1997

    Billboard #13


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