Angel (Aerosmith song)
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| "Angel" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Aerosmith | ||
| from the album Permanent Vacation | ||
| B-side(s) | "Girl Keeps Coming Apart" | |
| Released | 1988 | |
| Format | Cassette, CD | |
| Recorded | 1987 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 5:08 | |
| Label | Geffen | |
| Writer(s) | Steven Tyler, Desmond Child | |
| Producer(s) | Bruce Fairbairn | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| Aerosmith singles chronology | ||
| "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" (1987) | "Angel" (1988) | "Rag Doll" (1988) |
Angel is a song performed by American hard rock band Aerosmith. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler and professional songwriting collaborator Desmond Child. It was released in 1988 as the second single from the band's massively successful 1987 album Permanent Vacation. It quickly climbed to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the second highest chart performance for any Aerosmith single.
[edit] Song Structure
A classic heavy metal power ballad, it incorporates many of the stylings of rock ballads, including driving electrical guitar riffs by Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, pianos and violin sounds (from a keyboard), an emotional delivery of lyrics by Steven Tyler, a strong rhythm by bassist Tom Hamilton, and well-placed steady drum beats by Joey Kramer.
[edit] Video
The music video for "Angel" focuses primarily on a character played by Steven Tyler who is hypnotized by an intangible angel, presumably his ex-lover. There are also scenes of him playing the piano.
The other band members can be seen playing their instruments on city streets, and there is a notable guitar solo by Joe Perry on a rural highway.
[edit] Legacy
While it is often derived as being sappy by hardcore rock fans, it has gained notoriety as a popular slow dance song and the epitomy of a 1980s rock ballad. While Aerosmith tends to favor "What it Takes", "Dream On", and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" as their signature ballads in concert, "Angel" still gets the occasional rotation into the setlist.
"Angel" has been featured on a number of compilations including Big Ones and O, Yeah! The Ultimate Aerosmith Hits as well as the live album A Little South of Sanity.
