Adia
Encyclopedia
"Adia" is a song by Sarah McLachlan
that originally appeared on her 1997 album Surfacing
. It was co-written by McLachlan and her longtime producer, Pierre Marchand
. The song allegedly reflected the apology to her best friend for becoming involved with, and later marrying, her friend's ex-boyfriend. On VH1 Storytellers
, McLachlan also said "I'm not quite sure how to explain this one but, uh, I guess more than anything it's about my problems in dealing with feeling responsible for everyone else" about this song.
"Adia" was McLachlan's first top 5 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaked at number three. Though it's only remained at the position for one week, the song did spent six consecutive weeks at number four and seven consecutive weeks at number five, totalling twenty-three weeks at the top ten and forty-nine weeks at the chart, "Adia" was the twentieth most successful song of 1998 in the US.
. The single, released July 7, 1998, contains four tracks: the radio mix of "Adia", the Surfacing mix of "Angel
", the original studio version of "I Will Remember You
" (as opposed to the live version included on the Mirrorball
album, also released as a single), and a live version of "Building a Mystery
".
McLachlan was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
at the Grammy Awards of 1999
for "Adia", losing to Celine Dion
's "My Heart Will Go On
".
A live version of "Adia" appears on the Mirrorball album.
on the Control Room – Live EP. She said she used to cover it when she was 15.
In 1999, saxophonist
Richard Elliot
covered the song from the release Chill Factor.
Sarah McLachlan
Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four...
that originally appeared on her 1997 album Surfacing
Surfacing (album)
Surfacing is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. Released on July 15, 1997, it was produced by McLachlan's frequent collaborator, Pierre Marchand. McLachlan set about writing Surfacing in 1996, after two and a half years touring for her previous album, 1994's...
. It was co-written by McLachlan and her longtime producer, Pierre Marchand
Pierre Marchand
Pierre Marchand is a Canadian songwriter, musician and record producer.Pierre Marchand is known for his ongoing collaboration with Sarah McLachlan, having produced all of her albums since Solace...
. The song allegedly reflected the apology to her best friend for becoming involved with, and later marrying, her friend's ex-boyfriend. On VH1 Storytellers
VH1 Storytellers
Storytellers is a television music series produced by the VH1 network.In each episode artists perform in front of a live audience, and tell stories about their music, writing experiences and memories, somewhat similar to MTV Unplugged...
, McLachlan also said "I'm not quite sure how to explain this one but, uh, I guess more than anything it's about my problems in dealing with feeling responsible for everyone else" about this song.
"Adia" was McLachlan's first top 5 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaked at number three. Though it's only remained at the position for one week, the song did spent six consecutive weeks at number four and seven consecutive weeks at number five, totalling twenty-three weeks at the top ten and forty-nine weeks at the chart, "Adia" was the twentieth most successful song of 1998 in the US.
Releases
"Adia" was the third of four songs from Surfacing to be released as a single. It was her most successful US single, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The single, released July 7, 1998, contains four tracks: the radio mix of "Adia", the Surfacing mix of "Angel
Angel (Sarah McLachlan song)
"Angel" is a song by Sarah McLachlan that originally appeared on her 1997 album Surfacing. As McLachlan explained on VH1 Storytellers, the song is about the Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin and died in 1996."Angel" was McLachlan's second top 5 hits...
", the original studio version of "I Will Remember You
I Will Remember You (Sarah McLachlan song)
"I Will Remember You" is a song written by Sarah McLachlan, Séamus Egan and Dave Merenda. The song first appeared on the soundtrack to the movie The Brothers McMullen in 1995, and was featured on her remix album Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff...
" (as opposed to the live version included on the Mirrorball
Mirrorball (Sarah McLachlan album)
- Personnel :* Sarah McLachlan - Vocals, Guitars, Piano* Ashwin Sood - Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals* Brian Minato - Bass* David Sinclair - Guitars, Background Vocals* Sean Ashby - Guitars, Background Vocals* Camille Henderson - Background Vocals...
album, also released as a single), and a live version of "Building a Mystery
Building a Mystery
"Building a Mystery" is a song by Sarah McLachlan, from her multi-platinum album Surfacing, first released in 1997. At a live performance, Sarah explains the song as being "basically about the fact that we all.....
".
McLachlan was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance is the latest in a series of awards recognizing superior vocal performance by a female in the pop category, the first of which was presented in 1959. The award goes to the artist...
at the Grammy Awards of 1999
Grammy Awards of 1999
The 41st Grammy Awards were held on February 24, 1999. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 1998. Lauryn Hill was the nights big winner winning a total of 5 awards including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. Madonna won three awards while country musicians the Dixie...
for "Adia", losing to Celine Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
's "My Heart Will Go On
My Heart Will Go On
"My Heart Will Go On" is the theme song/love theme of the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. With music by James Horner, lyrics by Will Jennings, and production by Simon Franglen, James Horner and Walter Afanasieff ,, it was recorded by Céline Dion...
".
A live version of "Adia" appears on the Mirrorball album.
Cover versions
"Adia" has been covered by Avril LavigneAvril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
on the Control Room – Live EP. She said she used to cover it when she was 15.
In 1999, saxophonist
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
Richard Elliot
Richard Elliot
Richard Elliot is a Scottish-born saxophone player.He was a member of the funk band Tower of Power playing tenor sax for 5 years during the 1980s. He also worked on Stacy Lattisaw's 1986 album "Take Me All The Way". His solo career took off when he remade the Percy Sledge classic "When a Man...
covered the song from the release Chill Factor.
Track listing
- "Adia" – 4:03
- "Adia" (remix) – 4:01
- "AngelAngel (Sarah McLachlan song)"Angel" is a song by Sarah McLachlan that originally appeared on her 1997 album Surfacing. As McLachlan explained on VH1 Storytellers, the song is about the Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin and died in 1996."Angel" was McLachlan's second top 5 hits...
" – 4:30 - "I Will Remember YouI Will Remember You (Sarah McLachlan song)"I Will Remember You" is a song written by Sarah McLachlan, Séamus Egan and Dave Merenda. The song first appeared on the soundtrack to the movie The Brothers McMullen in 1995, and was featured on her remix album Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff...
" – 4:22
Peak positions
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Singles Chart | 85 |
| UK Singles Chart | 18 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | 5 |
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 55 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1998) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 20 |
External links
- "Adia" live performance at AOL Video (along with other McLachlan songs) (licensed content by Sony BMG)