Angels (Robbie Williams song)

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“Angels”
“Angels” cover
Single by Robbie Williams
from the album Life Thru a Lens
Released December 1, 1997
Format CD single, Cassette
Recorded 1997
Genre Pop rock
Power Ballad
Length 4:24
Label Chrysalis
Writer(s) Robbie Williams
Guy Chambers
Producer Guy Chambers
Steve Power
Certification 2x Platinum (BPI)
Robbie Williams singles chronology
"South of the Border"
(1997)		 "Angels"
(1997)		 "Let Me Entertain You"
(1998)

"Angels" is a song written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, originally performed by Williams, and covered by Jessica Simpson, Mexican singer Yuridia, singer Beverley Knight, in Italian (as Un Angelo) by Patrizio Buanne, All Angels, singer Declan Galbraith as well as Verena Von Strenge's latest group, Moon Dust, and American Idol Contestant David Archuleta. The original recording by Williams proved to be his greatest commercial success, being certified 2x Platinum in the United Kingdom and selling 2.8 million worldwide.[1][2]

In October 2006 the RTE documentary This Note's For You, presented by Tom Dunne, said that the song was originally co-written by Williams and Irish singer Ray Heffernan. After the song was polished by Guy Chambers, Heffernan was offered and accepted £7,500 for his rights.[3]

"Angels" was the fourth single from Robbie Williams' debut album, Life Thru a Lens. It has been credited with saving the singer's solo career, and is used to conclude almost all of his concerts.

At the 2005 BRIT Awards, "Angels" was voted by the British public the best song in the past twenty-five years of British music, though it had only reached number four on the singles chart. In a survey by UK digital TV station Music Choice, it even came in at number one as the song people would most like played at their funeral.[4]

It was released in 1999 in the U.S., after his debut of "Millennium." The U.S. released video has Williams atop a roof, watching the city below. On 12 April, 2008 it is at 1 on the U.S. iTunes. After an 8 year absence on the chart, "Angels" re entered the ARIA Top 100 at 91, on May 5 2008. [5]

Contents

[edit] Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Angels".

UK CD1
(Released December 1, 1997)

  1. "Angels" - 4:25
  2. "Back For Good" [Live] - 2:19
  3. "Walk This Sleigh" - 3:01

UK CD2
(Released December 1, 1997)

  1. "Angels" - 4:25
  2. "Back For Good" [Live] - 2:19
  3. "Angels" [Acoustic Version] - 4:28
  4. "South Of The Border" [Mother's Milkin' It Mix] - 7:09
  5. "Angels" Enhanced Video

UK Limited Edition Postcard Pack
(Released December 1, 1997)

  1. "Angels" [Acoustic Version] - 4:28
  2. "Get The Joke" - 2:57
  3. "Angels" - 4:25
  4. "Karaoke Overkill" - 3:26

[edit] Charts

Chart (1997) Peak
Position[6]
UK Singles Chart 4
Chart (1998) Peak
Position[7][8]
Swiss Singles Chart 4
French Singles Chart 7
German Singles Chart 9
Argentine Singles Chart 10
Austrian Singles Chart 12
Mexican Singles Chart 13
Swedish Singles Chart 13
Dutch Singles Chart 14
Australian Singles Chart 40
Chart (1999) Peak
Position[9]
U.S. The Billboard Hot 100 Charts 41
U.S. Adult Contemporary Charts 10
Chart (2008) Peak
U.S. iTunes Top 100 7
Canada Top Digital 40

[edit] Certifications

Country Certification (If Any) Sales/shipments
United Kingdom 2x Platinum[10] 1.2 Million+

[edit] Cover versions

[edit] Jessica Simpson

“Angels”
“Angels” cover
Single by Jessica Simpson
from the album In This Skin
Released December 7, 2004
Format CD, digital download
Genre Pop
Length 04:05
Label Columbia
Producer billymann
Jessica Simpson singles chronology
"Take My Breath Away"
(2004)		 "Angels"
(2004)		 "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow"
(2004)

Jessica Simpson's cover of "Angels" was the fourth and final single released from the album In This Skin in 2004. It was produced by billymann.

The video for "Angels" is relatively low key. It starts with Simpson looking nervous on an empty stage rehearsing for a performance. She can be seen in intercut scenes staring into space, as if she has lost her self-confidence and ability to perform. As the song progresses, however, white roses can be seen scattered around her as a sign of hope, and soon Simpson begins to regain her confidence. The song then shifts into its instrumental bridge to correlate with the emotions of the characters, as Simpson proceeds to climb to the top of the building for her final performance. There she is greeted by a youth orchestra, and finishes the song. The video spent a total of 13 days on the TRL countdown. peaking at #6

Simpson's version of "Angels" performed relatively poorly as the track failed to break into the Billboard Hot 100 (though it did reach number six on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles) However, the song did become a moderate success on the Top 40 Mainstream and Hot Digital Tracks. Jessica and Joe Simpson, her father and manager, had hoped this song would lead to Jessica's first Grammy Nomination, as Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera, her 1990's rivals, had each been already been nominated as well as winning. The song's downloads were not allowed to help it. Despite this relative failure, the single was featured on Now That's What I Call Music! Volume 17 in the US.

[edit] Track listing

  1. "Angels"
  2. "Angels" (Stealth Remix)
  3. "Fly" (B-side)
  4. "Angels" (Enhanced Video)

[edit] Remixes and Other Versions

  • Angels [Album Version] - 4:00
  • Angels [Dave Anthony Remix] - 4:53
  • Angels [Junior Vasquez World Mixshow] - 6:32
  • Angels [Stealth Remix] - 3:12
  • Angels [Acoustic] - 4:07
Chart (2004) Position
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles 6
U.S. Top 40 Tracks 37
U.S. Top 40 Mainstream 23
Australian ARIA Singles Chart 27
México Top 100 Singles Chart 10

[edit] Yuridia

“Ángel”
“Ángel” cover
Single by Yuridia
from the album La Voz de un Ángel
Released 2005
Genre Pop
Length 4:17
Label Sony BMG
Yuridia singles chronology
"Ángel"
(2004)		 "La Maldita Primavera"
(2006)

In 2005, Yuridia, former contestant of the popular Mexican show La Academia, released "Ángel", a Spanish version of the song which she had interpreted during her stay in the reality show), as her debut single. In her native Mexico, as well as in other parts of Latin America, "Ángel", became an instant hit. "Ángel" and Yuridia's CD La Voz de un Ángel ("The Voice of an Angel"), reached number one in Mexico after just a couple of weeks. The song was also very successful in Central America, as it reached the top 10 in El Salvador and Guatemala and became a top 20 hit in Costa Rica and Honduras. In the U.S., the song was also very successful, considering that the channel Yuridia is promoted by is small and overshadowed by Univision and Telemundo. "Ángel" went on to reach 32 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and La Voz de un Angel managed to climb into the top 20 on the Billboard Hot Latin Albums chart, peaking at 16.

In El Salvador, Angel managed to climb to the top of the charts and stayed at number 1 for 9 weeks, the year's longest run.

Chart 2005 Position
México Top 100 Singles Chart 1
Mexico Digital Single Sales 1
U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Songs 32
Latin America Top 40 9
Latin America Top Latin Tracks 10
World Spanish Top 40 10

[edit] Beverley Knight

In March 2006, British soul singer Beverley Knight recorded a live gospel version of "Angels". The track, performed live on BBC Radio 2 with musician Guy Chambers, was included on her Voice - The Best Of Beverley Knight album. The inclusion came after Knight performed the song at the Live 8 concerts in July 2005.

[edit] All Angels

“Angels”
Single by All Angels
from the album All Angels
Released December 18, 2006
Format CD
Genre Pop
Length 4:19
Label UCJ (Universal)
All Angels singles chronology
"Songbird"
(2006)		 "Angels"
(2006)		 "Nothing Compares 2 U"
(2007)

In December 2006, British classical crossover group All Angels released a cover version of Angels, with a classical touch to the song. Bookmakers put odds of 7-1 on them for getting a UK Christmas number-one single with their cover.

The single is the first ever Christmas single to be released in association with the Royal British Legion and their Poppy Appeal. Incidentally All Angels performed at the Festival of Remembrance (2006).

[edit] Track listing

CD Single

  1. "Angels" - 3:18
  2. "Silent Night" - 3:14
  3. "Fly" - 3:45

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Angels" BPI Certification
  2. ^ [www.robbiewilliams.com Angels, Discography, Robbie Williams' Official Website]
  3. ^ [www.robbiewilliams.com Angels, Discography, Robbie Williams' Official Website]
  4. ^ Angels 'favourite funeral song'
  5. ^ ARIA Charts : Australia's Official Music Charts
  6. ^ UK Singles & Albums Charts
  7. ^ Chart Positions for "Angels"
  8. ^ Robbie Williams actuará en Sudamerica (in Spanish)
  9. ^ Chart Positions for "Angels" in the United States
  10. ^ [http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=27952 BPI]

[edit] External links


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Robbie Williams
Studio albums
Compilation and live albums
Singles
DVDs

"Live In Your Living Room" · "Angels" · "Where Egos Dare" · "Live At The Albert" · "Escape Routes" · "The Robbie Williams Show" · "What We Did Last Summer" · And Throuht It All: Robbie Williams Live 1997-2006
Tours
Other articles
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Jessica Simpson
Studio albums
Other albums
DVD´S Live
Jessica Simpson: Dream Chaser · Reality Tour Live
Singles
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