Touch (Sarah McLachlan album)

Touch is the debut album by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, released in 1988 and then re-released in 1989.

Touch
Original 1988 Nettwerk/Capitol release cover art
Studio album by
Sarah McLachlan
Released11 October 1988
Recorded1988–89
GenreFolk rock
Length47:21
LabelNettwerk/Capitol (Canada)
Arista (US)
ProducerGreg Reely
Sarah McLachlan chronology
Touch
(1988)		 Solace
(1991)
Alternative cover
1989 Nettwerk/Arista release cover art
Singles from Touch
  1. "Vox"
  2. "Steaming"

The album was originally released in 1988 by Nettwerk. McLachlan later signed to Arista Records internationally (although remaining on Nettwerk in Canada), and a revamped version of Touch, with several remixed songs and a new track, was released in 1989 on both labels. The original 1988 release was discontinued by Nettwerk, and is now considered a collector's item. It is distinguished by its black and sepia cover. The first released single from the album was "Vox" in 1988, followed by "Steaming" in 1989.

The album was popular in alternative rock circles, but McLachlan would not achieve commercial stardom until 1991 in Canada, with Solace, and 1994 (1995 in some countries) internationally, with her 1993 album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. None of Touch’s songs would permanently remain part of Sarah McLachlan’s concerts: Except for “Vox”, she has never performed any of her debut album’s songs live since the tours supporting Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, and even “Vox” has not been played since 2004.[1]

In 1993, McLachlan and Nettwerk were sued by Darryl Neudorf, a Vancouver musician and former member of 54-40, who alleged that he had made a significant and uncredited contribution to the songwriting on Touch. Although both McLachlan and Nettwerk acknowledged that Neudorf was involved in the album's production, both took the position that his contribution had not been primarily in songwriting. The judge in that suit ultimately ruled in McLachlan's favor.

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic link

Track listing

All tracks are written by Sarah McLachlan, except where noted.

1988 release (Nettwerk/Capitol)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Out of the Shadows" 4:57
2."Steaming"
  • McLachlan
  • Darren Phillips
4:45
3."Strange World" 4:05
4."Touch" 3:11
5."Vox" 4:50
6."Sad Clown" 4:28
7."Uphill Battle"
  • McLachlan
  • Phillips
4:37
8."Ben's Song" 4:55
9."Vox (Extended remix)" (1) 6:59
10."Ben's Song (78 Version)" (1) 5:07

1 Not all versions of the original 1988 release contained these two tracks.

1989 release (Nettwerk/Arista)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Out of the Shadows" 4:57
2."Vox" 4:48
3."Strange World" 4:05
4."Trust"
  • Stephen Nikleva
  • Jeff Sawatzky
  • Sherri Iwaschuk
  • McLachlan
  • Phillips
4:45
5."Touch" 3:11
6."Steaming"
  • McLachlan
  • Phillips
4:46
7."Sad Clown" 4:28
8."Uphill Battle"
  • McLachlan
  • Phillips
4:37
9."Ben's Song" 4:55
10."Vox (Extended version)" 6:59

Two 12" singles were released from the original 1988 album, each containing one of the alternate mixes that were on some, but not all, versions of the album release. The remix of "Vox" here is not the same remix that was on the 1989 album release.

Musicians

Charts
Chart (1988–89) Peak
position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[2] 61
US Billboard 200[3] 132

The RPM Albums Chart between October 1988 and April 1989 is not available. The Touch peak position is taken from May 1989.

Certifications and sales
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[4] Platinum 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[5] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Setlist.fm; Sarah McLachlan Album Statistics
  2. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6333". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  3. "Sarah McLachlan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  4. "Canadian album certifications – Sarah McLachlan – Touch". Music Canada. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  5. "American album certifications – Sarah Mc Lachlan – Touch". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 26 October 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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