World On Fire

Album: Afterglow (2003)
Charted: 72
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • McLachlan wrote this song in response to the September 11 attacks on US. The song finds her feeling helpless in a world where such horrific events unfold:

    The world's on fire and
    It's more than I can handle
  • The video simply shows McLachlan performing the song in a plain room. A graphic reveals that the video cost $150,000, but only $15 was spent to make the video. The rest was donated to various charities.

Comments: 5

  • Amber from San Francisco, CaI always suspected that this song was written about 9/11 but I was never positive until I read this page. Such a beautiful song, but did you expect anything less from Sarah? She is truly one of the greatest and most talented artists of our time and I have always been a fan of hers.
  • Kami from New York City, NyI love this song. Sarah McLachlan made a great video. I knew that it's good to give money. I never thought of taking movey I'd spend on like a shopping spree and using it on something good
  • Nader Balata from Toronto, CanadaSarah had said in many interviews that this song is a response to the 911 attacks. Incidentally, if you watch the video it seems like a message about the worsening conditions of Africa.
  • Eric from Brantford, CanadaWhen asked why she wrote this song, I have heard a number of stories from Sarah. The most obvious is the 9/11 attacks on New York, but there's still more. I think it might have something to do with her own life.
  • Andrew from Ny, Nyi lost 2 friends in the towers. healing is still being done.
    songs like theis, and the boss's, really help.
    thank u!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.