Sarah McLachlan's Playlist

June 22, 2010— -- Canadian-born Sarah McLachlan has been crooning for audiences since she was 17. At that time, she had a short-lived rock band called "The October Game," and her high school yearbook predicted that her future "destined to become a rock star."

Although she may have had a rocker's start, the songs for which McLachlan has become most famous feature a more intimate and emotional use of her voice.

McLachlan recently sat down with "Nightline" at New York City's Amalia to discuss the music that has influenced her, and her own.

"If I had to pick one song for me that sort of quintessentially summed me up, it would be 'Angel,'" she said, referring to the hit track featured in the "City of Angels" soundtrack that achieved multi-platinum sales. "Without fail, I absolutely love singing it," she said.

For McLachlan it's been the song that has drawn the most feedback, time and again. "For me, that's one of the best validations as an artist," she said. "To have a stranger come up to you and say that something you've created and put out there in the world has had some sort of impact on other people's lives."

This year brings new developments in McLachlan's career. On June 15, 2010, the Grammy Award–winning singer and songwriter released her latest album, "Laws of Illusion." It is the artist's first studio album of new material in seven years. Lilith Fair, a concert tour co-founded by McLachlan in 1997,the first tour to headline with all female artists. Lilith Fair also returns to concert stages this summer.

Here are some of the tunes that have helped to shape her own sound. Some of her answers may surprise you.

Kenny Rogers: "The Gambler"

"Ooh, Kenny Rogers, strangely enough!" she said. She recalls a time in seventh grade when she played "The Gambler" in a variety show. "I thought Kenny Rogers was the bomb back then!" she said laughing. "Embarrassing moment!"