Lyrics

In the desert of my dreams I saw you there
And I’m walking towards the water steaming body cold and bare
But your words cut loose the fire and you left my soul to bleed
And the pain that’s in your truth’s deceiving me, has got me scared

Oh Why?

Through your eyes the strains of battle like a brooding storm
You’re up and down these pristine velvet walls like focus never forms
My walls are getting wider and my eyes are drawn astray
I see you now a vague deception of a dying day

Oh Why?

I fall into the water and once more I turn to you
And the crowds were standing, staring, faceless, cutting off my view to you
They start to limply flail their bodies in a twisted mime
And I’m lost inside this tangled web in which I’ve lain entwined
You’re gone and I’m lost inside this tangled web in which I’ve lain entwined

Oh Why?

 

Appears on

Touch (1989)
Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff (1996)
Bloom Remix Album (2005)
Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan (2008)
The Essential Sarah McLachlan (2013)

Video Collection 1989-1994 (1995)
Video Collection 1989-1998 (2000)

Vox (single)

 

Versions

‘88 Version
from “Touch” 1988
Track length: 4:46

Album Version
from “Touch” 1989
Track length: 4:53

Original Extended
from “Touch” 1988
Track length: 6:58

Original Extended
from “Touch” 1989
Track length: 6:49

Extended Mix
from “Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff”
Track length: 6:50

‘88 Radio Mix
from “Vox” (12″ Vinyl)
Track length: 4:18

‘89 Radio Mix
from “Vox” (12″ Vinyl Promo)
Track length: 4:12

Radio Mix
from “Vox” (Japan 7″ Vinyl Promo)
Track length: 4:15

Dub Mix
from “Vox” (12″ Vinyl)
Track lenght: 7:20

Instrumental Dub Mix
from “Vox” (CAN Single)
Track length: 5:47

 

Compilations

Credits

12-String, Vocals, Piano: Sarah McLachlan
Keyboards: Darren Phillips
Bass: Dave Kershaw
Drums: Ross Hales
Electric Guitar: Stephen Nikleva
Percussion: Sherri Leigh
Percussion: Tippi, Steve, Rudy
Background Vocals: Naomi McLeod

 

Collaborations

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Trivia/Notes

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Sarah says

“The helicopter pilot we hired for the video of Vox was a wimp. He wouldn’t get close enough to the water; he couldn’t cut it. But next time we’ll have lots of fast helicopter shots panning across great expanses. Helicopters can create great imagery!”
– Music Express – April 1989

“We were just working on the 8-track and I was just messing around playing these chord riffs and a friend of mine said, “what’s that?” And I said, “Oh nothing.” “He told me to play it again and I didn’t want to but, funny anough, it ended up being the first single and I didn’t really think it was anything. Every verse means something different but I make it very vague. I like to leave the lyrics up to the listener’s interpretations.”
– Bio Press (thanks to Miguel)

 

Music Video