Angel (Sarah McLachlan song)
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| “Angel” | |||||
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| Single by Sarah McLachlan from the album Surfacing |
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| Released | February 9, 1999 | ||||
| Format | CD single | ||||
| Recorded | 1997 | ||||
| Genre | Piano pop | ||||
| Length | 4:30 | ||||
| Label | Nettwerk Records, Arista Records | ||||
| Writer(s) | Sarah McLachlan | ||||
| Producer | Pierre Marchand | ||||
| Sarah McLachlan singles chronology | |||||
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"Angel" is a song by Sarah McLachlan that originally appeared on her 1997 album Surfacing. As McLachlan explained on VH1 Storytellers, the song is about the Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin and died in 1996. McLachlan explained that there's nothing constant when you are on the road; everything becomes the same.
Released as a single in 1999, "Angel" peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has had enduring popularity. It is often used to highlight emotional scenes on television shows and has featured in a number of soundtracks (including the film City of Angels and TV's Alias, Dawson's Creek, Cold Case and General Hospital) and as a song of comfort and healing following the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks. On July 2, 2005, McLachlan performed this song at Live 8 in Philadelphia with Josh Groban. She also performed the song on "Concert for Linda," dedicating it to the memory of Linda McCartney, and appeared in an August 2007 televised appeal for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in which the song was used. Musician Darryl McDaniels has said the song saved his life.[citation needed]
The song has a sparse arrangement — mostly McLachlan at the piano, with subtle upright bass played by Jim Creeggan of Barenaked Ladies.
A remix of the track by Dusted appears on McLachlan's 2001 album Remixed.
[edit] Cover versions
"Angel" was covered by the Canadian musician Allison Crowe on her 2003 album and television special Tidings and by the Irish band Westlife on their album World of Our Own that same year. American Idol performer Kelly Clarkson covered this song as an early demo. Mexican singer Yuridia covered the song for her sophmore album, Habla El Corazón, in a Spanish version entitled "Estar Junto A Tí," in memory of her late brother.
[edit] External links
- Angel at YouTube (licensed content by Sony BMG)
- Brightcove music video
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