Angel (Sarah McLachlan song)

"Angel" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. The song first appeared on Surfacing, the Canadian singer's 1997 album. The lyrics are about the death of Jonathan Melvoin (1961–1996), the Smashing Pumpkins' touring keyboard player, from a heroin overdose,[1] as McLachlan explained on VH1 Storytellers. It is sometimes mistitled as "In the Arms of an Angel"[2] or "Arms of the Angel".

"Angel"
Single by Sarah McLachlan
from the album Surfacing and City of Angels
ReleasedNovember 1998 (1998-11)
GenrePop
Length
  • 4:30 (album version)
  • 4:00 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)Sarah McLachlan
Producer(s)Pierre Marchand
Sarah McLachlan singles chronology
"Adia"
(1998)		 "Angel"
(1998)		 "I Will Remember You"
(1999)

"Angel" was McLachlan's second consecutive top-five hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number four and remaining in the top ten for nineteen weeks. In McLachlan's native Canada, the song reached number seven on the RPM Top Singles chart and was the forty-eighth best-selling single of 1999. Outside North America, the song has charted in several countries in the years following its release, including reaching number seven in Ireland in 2002 and number nine in Norway in 2008.

Background

"Angel" was one of the first songs written for Surfacing. McLachlan said that writing it was easy, "a real joyous occasion",[3] and that "the bulk of it came in about three hours." It was inspired by articles that she read in Rolling Stone about musicians turning to heroin to cope with the pressures of the music industry and subsequently overdosing.[4][3][5] She said that she identified with the feelings that might lead someone to use heroin: "I've been in that place where you've messed up and you're so lost that you don't know who you are anymore, and you're miserable—and here's this escape route. I've never done heroin, but I've done plenty of other things to escape."[3] She said that the song is about "trying not to take responsibility for other people's problems and trying to love yourself at the same time".

Composition

The song has a sparse arrangement—mostly McLachlan at the piano, with subtle upright bass played by Jim Creeggan of Barenaked Ladies. It was recorded in the key of D-flat major.[6] For live performances, it is transposed up one half-step to D major, the key it was originally written in, and played without the bass.

Chart performance

Released as a single in 1998, "Angel" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 on February 22, 1999,[7] and number one on three Billboard charts: the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart,[8] the Adult Top 40 chart,[9] and the Top 40 Tracks chart.[10] It was the United States' eighteenth highest-selling song of 1999.[11] In McLachlan's native Canada, "Angel" peaked at number seven in February 1999.[12] It ended the year as Canada's forty-eighth most successful single.[13]

In the years following its release, "Angel" has charted in a large number of countries. In January 2002, a dance remix of the song peaked at number seven in Ireland and number 36 in the United Kingdom.[14][15] In 2008, "Angel" charted in Norway and peaked at number nine for two weeks.[16] The following year, it made a brief appearance on the New Zealand Singles Chart, debuting and peaking at number 36 in July.[17] The song has charted in Austria and Switzerland on several occasions, peaking at number 17 in both counties,[18][19] and it also reached number 57 in Germany in October 2012.[20] The following month, it debuted and peaked at number 77 in France.[21] During its original release, "Angel" peaked at number 99 on the Dutch Single Top 100, but it reached a new peak of number 31 in February 2014.[22]

Live performances

On April 8, 2000, McLachlan performed "Angel" with Carlos Santana on guitar at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. The show was televised on Fox TV and released on the DVD Supernatural Live – An Evening with Carlos Santana and Friends. On July 2, 2005, McLachlan performed this song at Live 8 Philadelphia with Josh Groban. She also performed the song during the "Concert for Linda," dedicating it to the memory of Linda McCartney. On September 10, 2011, McLachlan performed the song to close the ceremonies at the dedication of the Flight 93 Memorial in Stonycreek Township, commemorating the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 who fought the hijackers and brought down their airplane in the September 11 attacks. On Sunday, November 23, 2008, Sarah McLachlan performed "Angel" at the American Music Awards with artist Pink. On May 21, 2019, McLachlan sang "Angel" on the sixteenth season of the US competition series The Voice as a duet with the eventual winner of the show, Maelyn Jarmon. On April 21, 2020, McLachlan and her daughter, India Sood, performed a duet, posted to Facebook, as a response to the killing spree in Nova Scotia.

Charts and certifications

Covers and other versions

  • Pianist/New Age artist George Winston recorded an instrumental cover of the song for his 1999 album Plains.
  • Canadian country music group Lace covered the song on their self-titled debut album in 1999, from which it was released as the album's sixth single in 2001.
  • Irish boy band Westlife included a rendition of the song on their album World of Our Own in 2001.[35]
  • A remix of the track by Dusted appears on McLachlan's 2001 album Remixed.
  • Slovenian duo Platin covered the song (in English, as "Angel (Zate, Marjan...)") on their 2004 album Stay Forever.
  • American Idol performer Kelly Clarkson covered this song as an early demo.
  • Irish pianist/composer/record producer Phil Coulter recorded an instrumental version which featured on his 2006 Country Serenity album.
  • Mexican singer Yuridia covered the song for her 2006 second album Habla El Corazón in a Spanish version entitled "Estar Junto a Tí", in memory of her late brother.
  • Angelis covered this song in 2006 on their album Angelis.
  • In 2007, B.J. Thomas covered the song on his album Love to Burn
  • A live version with Emmylou Harris appears on a Lilith Fair compilation, McLachlan's own iTunes Originals collection, and her Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff Volume 2 compilation.
  • John Barrowman covered the song on his 2008 album Music, Music, Music.
  • David Phelps, an American gospel singer, covered the song on his 2008 album The Voice.
  • Joe Sample & Randy Crawford feature this song on their No Regrets album (2008).
  • Japanese singer Aoi Teshima covered the song on her second cover album La vie en rose: I Love Cinemas, released in 2009.
  • The song was covered by Belgian singer Lara Fabian on her 2009 album Every Woman in Me, and performed on her tour and TV show.
  • Welsh classical singer Katherine Jenkins covered the song on her 2009 album Believe.
  • British a cappella vocal ensemble The King's Singers covered the song on their 2010 album Swimming over London.
  • The song was covered for an unreleased acoustic solo album by the late singer Midnight of prog-metal band, Crimson Glory.
  • This song was covered by Jackie Evancho in 2011 for her album Dream With Me and subsequent PBS special and concert tour.
  • Marti Pellow covered this on his album Love to Love in 2011.
  • In 2011, Jill Johnson recorded the song for her Christmas album Välkommen jul.[36]
  • In 2012, Sanna Nielsen recorded the song for her Christmas album Vinternatten.[37]
  • American Idol runner-up David Archuleta covered this song on his 2012 album Begin.
  • The teenaged pop-opera Italian trio Il Volo performed this song for their 2nd PBS TV Special, We Are Love in 2013.
  • In 2013, Jacquie Lee sang this song in the fifth season of The Voice.
  • In 2013, Northern Irish singer Andrea Begley sang this song for her blind audition in the second season of The Voice UK, which she subsequently went on to win.
  • In 2013, Jonathan and Charlotte included this song as a duet on their second album, "Perhaps Love".
  • In 2014, Daniel Evans, X Factor (UK) finalist, covered this on his album Emotions and on his YouTube channel.
  • In 2014, Nicholas McDonald, the runner-up on the UK X Factor tenth series, recorded the song on his debut album In the Arms of an Angel.
  • In 2014, Vine released a statement that the song was used in over 2,000 vines, with more than 174,000 likes in total.
  • In 2014, Scottish singer Susan Boyle recorded her version of the song and published it on her album Hope. She also stated: "I had a huge input in music suggestions and finally have been able to record one of my all time favourites, "Angel," originally by Sarah McLachlan."[38]
  • In 2014, American singer of the band 98 Degrees Nick Lachey covered the song from his Soundtrack of My Life album.
  • In 2016, Jeneve Rose Mitchell plays the harp performance on American Idol.
  • In 2016, Brendan Fletcher performed the song on The Voice.
  • In 2016, a cover by Devon Welsh was used in the end credits for The OA episode Invisible Self.
  • In January 2017, a cover by Caitlin Canty was recorded for and used in the closing scenes of the Code Black season 2 episode "Fallen Angels".

Live cover performances
  • In 2004, Australian Idol contestant Hayley Jensen performed this song in the first week of the semi-finals of the second season and was voted through to the Final 12 the following night. Jensen eventually recorded a cover for that season's Finalist Cast Album.
  • In 2005, Idol winner Jorun Stiansen performed this song on the Top 9 show of the third season.
  • In 2006, Angel was performed on the fourth season of Canadian Idol in the first week of the semi-finals by eventual winner Eva Avila. Avila recorded a cover of the song for that season's Top 10 Cast Album.
  • Singer Beyoncé Knowles covered the song in a medley with her own "Ave Maria" on her 2008-2009 I Am... Tour and in her live performance at the BET Awards 2009.
  • In 2009, Eesti otsib superstaari winner Ott Lepland performed this song on the sixth week of the finals of the third season.
  • The song was performed by Katherine Jenkins at the opening ceremony of the 38th Ryder Cup in Wales, on the 30th of September 2010, in front of an estimated TV audience of over 600 million. She also performed the song as a part of a tribute to Sports Personalities who had died in 2010 at The 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Ceremony on the 19th of December 2010, at The LG Arena in Birmingham.
  • Prince covered "Angel" during the European "20Ten" Tour in July 2010, and during the Welcome 2 America Tour Jan 2011.
  • On June 14, 2011, the American The Voice contestant and eventual winner Javier Colon performed it in the first season of the show.[39] The studio version peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100.[40]
  • On November 22, 2011, the American X Factor first season contestant LeRoy Bell performed it in the fifth week of the show.
  • On November 29, 2011, the German X Factor second season contestant and eventual winner David Pfeffer performed it in the semi final of the show.
  • On November 13, 2012, Bella Ferraro performed the song as her bottom two song in the semi-final of the fourth season of the Australian The X Factor.
  • On May 6, 2013, the American The Voice contestant Sarah Simmons performed it in the Live Playoffs.
  • On June 22, 2013, The Voice of the Philippines contestant Lee Grane performed the song during her blind auditions. The performance trended world-wide on the micro-blogging site Twitter and received a million views on YouTube.
  • On July 14, 2013, the New Zealand X Factor first season contestant and eventual winner Jackie Thomas performed it in the semi final of the show.
  • On October 26, 2013, the UK X Factor tenth series contestant Nicholas McDonald performed it in week 3 of the show. On December 15, 2013, he performed it again in the final results show, where he finished as eventual runner-up.
  • On December 9, 2013, the American The Voice contestant Jacquie Lee performed it in the semi-finals of the show.
  • On January 11, 2016, Megan McKenna a contestant on series 17 of Celebrity Big Brother performed a flawless, pitch perfect version of it in the housemate talent contest. Megan received rave reviews from all areas of the media and from celebrities and the public alike on social media. Despite not being chosen as the winner of the contest by her fellow housemates, Megan won the 'most talented performance' poll on the Big Brother app which is voted for by the general public.
  • The song was featured in the 1998 film City of Angels and appeared on the film's soundtrack soon before it was released as a single.
  • The song plays in two episodes of Dawson's Creek: #1-13 "Breaking Away (Decisions)" (the Season 1 finale) and #6-24 "...Must Come to an End" (the second part of the series finale).
  • The song plays in Felicity Episode #1-01 "Pilot."
  • The song plays in Alias Episode #1-04 "A Broken Heart."
  • The song is also often played during a contestant becoming eliminated on Indonesia Mencari Bakat (Indonesian version of America's Got Talent) on Trans TV.
  • Since 2008, the song has been featured in television commercials with McLachlan for the ASPCA.
  • This song was used in the final minutes of the season finale of season 3 for The Secret Life of the American Teenager as everyone discovers that Ben and Adrian's baby is stillborn.
  • The 2009 Hallmark Hall of Fame movie A Dog Named Christmas used this song in one scene.
  • In the 2015 Korean TV Drama Yong-pal the full Westlife version was used in one of the final scenes of episode 7.

References
  1. "Drugs in Songs". Fun Trivia. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  2. Ebony - Oct 2007 - Page 194 "He decided against killing himself while back in the United States after hearing on the radio Sarah McLachlan's song "In the Arms of an Angel." " and other examples
  3. Reighley, Kurt B. (August 1997), "Sarah McLachlan In The Garden", CMJ New Music Monthly, College Media Inc., pp. 21–25, retrieved 2010-05-12
  4. Sarah McLachlan explaining her inspiration to write 'Angel' (interview discussing Surfacing CD, posted to YouTube on Dec 9, 2008)
  5. McDonnell, Evelyn (September 1997), "Lilith Fair", Spin, Spin Media LLC, p. 64, retrieved 2010-05-12
  6. Sarah, McLachlan. "Sarah McLachlan "Angel" Sheet Music in Db Major (transposable) - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  7. "Sarah McLachlan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  8. "Sarah McLachlan Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  9. "Sarah McLachlan Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  10. "Sarah McLachlan Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 30 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  11. "1999: The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. 26 December 1998. pp. 48–100. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  12. "RPM 100 Hit Tracks – February 22, 1999" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 68 no. 18. 22 February 1999. p. 2. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  13. "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  14. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sarah Mc Lachlan". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  16. "Norwegiancharts.com – Sarah McLachlan – Angel". VG-lista. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  17. "Charts.nz – Sarah McLachlan – Angel". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  18. "Austriancharts.at – Sarah McLachlan – Angel" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  19. "Swisscharts.com – Sarah McLachlan – Angel". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  20. "Offiziellecharts.de – Sarah McLachlan – Angel". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  21. "Lescharts.com – Sarah McLachlan – Angel" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  22. "Dutchcharts.nl – Sarah McLachlan – Angel" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  23. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  24. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6986." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  25. "Top 10 Dance Singles, Week Ending 28 March 2002". GfK Chart-Track. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  26. "Charts: Luxembourg Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  27. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  28. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  29. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  30. "Sarah McLachlan Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  31. "Sarah McLachlan Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  32. "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  33. "British single certifications – Sarah McLachlan – Angel". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Angel in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  34. "American single certifications – Sarah Mc Lachlan – Angel". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  35. "Westlife - Angel (Single)". Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  36. "Välkommen jul" (in Swedish). Svensk mediedatabas. 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  37. "Vinternatten" (in Swedish). Svensk mediedatabas. 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  38. "Susan Boyle announces sixth new album in five years Hope". Digital Spy. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  39. "'The Voice's' Javier Colon: I Had To Fight Hard To Sing 'Angel', Adam Levine Didn't Want Me To!". Hollywoodlife.com. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  40. "The Billboard Hot 100 Week of July 02, 2011". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-09-13.

See also
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