“Building A Mystery” by Sarah McLachlan is a song from her fourth album, “Surfacing,” which was released on July 15, 1997. It was produced by Pierre Marchand and falls under the genre of pop rock. The song became a significant hit, reaching the top of the charts in Canada and peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
The music video for Building A Mystery was directed by Matt Mahurin. It features Sarah McLachlan performing the song in various settings, including a dark room and a forest. McLachlan’s performance made the video fantastic.
Building A Mystery is about the idea of hiding our insecurities behind a facade. The song’s success helped Sarah McLachlan stamp her feet in the music industry and remains one of her most iconic tracks.
Lyrics for Building A Mystery by Sarah McLachlan
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
‘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 so 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
Ooh, you’re working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Yeah you’re working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully