Touch (Sarah McLachlan album)

Touch is the debut album by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. It was originally released on October 11, 1988 through Nettwerk and Capitol Records. The album was then re-released on April 3, 1989 through Nettwerk and Arista Records with additional material and new cover art. The album includes "Vox", McLachlan's debut single, which reached number 90 in Canada upon its release.

Touch
Original 1988 release
Studio album by Sarah McLachlan
Released	11 October 1988 3 April 1989 (re-release)
Genre	Pop[1]
Length	47:54 (1988) 47:31 (1989)
Label	Nettwerk Capitol (1988) Arista (1989)
Producer	Greg Reely
Sarah McLachlan chronology
Touch (1988) Solace (1991)
Alternative cover
Singles from Touch
"Vox" Released: October 21, 1988 "Steaming" Released: 1989

McLachlan did not achieve commercial stardom until 1991 in Canada, with Solace; she achieved success internationally in 1994–1995 with her 1993 album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. 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
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Stereo Review	very good[2]

Track listing

All tracks written by Sarah McLachlan, except "Steaming" and "Uphill Battle" (music by McLachlan and Darren Phillips).

Original release (1988)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Out of the Shadows"	4:57
2.	"Steaming"	4:45
3.	"Strange World"	4:05
4.	"Touch" (instrumental)	3:11
5.	"Vox"	4:50
6.	"Sad Clown"	4:28
7.	"Uphill Battle" (instrumental)	4:37
8.	"Ben's Song"	4:55
Total length:		35:48

Bonus tracks (CD)

No.	Title	Length
9.	"Vox" (extended remix)	6:59
10.	"Ben's Song" (78 remix)	5:07
Total length:		47:54

Re-release (1989)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Out of the Shadows"	4:57
2.	"Vox"	4:48
3.	"Strange World"	4:05
4.	"Trust"	4:45
5.	"Touch" (instrumental)	3:11
6.	"Steaming"	4:46
7.	"Sad Clown"	4:28
8.	"Uphill Battle" (instrumental)	4:37
9.	"Ben's Song"	4:55
Total length:		40:32

Bonus track (CD and cassette)

No.	Title	Length
10.	"Vox" (extended)	6:59
Total length:		47:31

Notes:

• Some pressings credit "Trust" to McLachlan, Stephen Nikleva, Jeff Sawatzky, Sherri Iwaschuk, and Phillips.
• Not all versions of the original 1988 release contained tracks 9 and 10.

Personnel

• Sarah McLachlan – vocals, 12-string and classical guitars, piano, keyboards
• Stephen Nikleva – electric guitar
• David Kershaw – bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals
• Jeff Krosse (aka Jeff Sawatzky) – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Naomi McLeod – backing vocals
• Greg Reely – drums, percussion
• Darren Phillips – drums, percussion, keyboards
• Ross Hales – drums
• Sherri Leigh (aka Sherri Iwaschuk) – percussion
• Tippi – percussion
• Steve – percussion
• Rudy – percussion

Charts

Chart (1988–89)	Peak position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[3]	61
US Billboard 200[4]	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	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[5]	Platinum	100,000^
United States (RIAA)[6]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.