Lips of an Angel

"Lips of an Angel"
Single by Hinder
from the album Extreme Behavior
Released September 2006 (U.S.)
January 20, 2007 (Australia)
Format Digital download, CD single
Recorded 2005
Genre Hard rock, post-grunge
Length 4:21
Label Universal
Writer(s) Hinder, Brian Howes, Rey Casiano
Producer Brian Howes
Certification 3x Platinum (RIAA)[1]
Platinum (ARIA), (RIANZ)
Hinder singles chronology
"Get Stoned"
(2005)
"Lips of an Angel"
(2006)
"How Long"
(2006)

"Lips of an Angel" is a power ballad by Oklahoma rock band Hinder written by Brian Howes, Austin Winkler and Cody Hanson. It was released as the second single from their album Extreme Behavior. It was their breakthrough hit, charting in the Top Ten on several Billboard trade charts in the United States, and reaching Number One in several countries. A second cover version was released in early 2007 by country music artist Jack Ingram. His version, which was his third Top 40 country hit, peaked in the Top 20 on the Billboard country music charts.

Contents

Lyrics

The lyrics deal with the singer describing his feelings when his favored girlfriend from his past calls late at night, somewhat pleasantly interrupting his current relationship. More than once, a reference to the call being secret is made, and the singer expresses concern of a fight ensuing as a result. The song concludes just as it began, with the singer questioning to why she is calling so late, though the second (and last) time it is less literal and more figurative, with the underlying meaning "so late" not at night, but way too late in life; unable to continue the previous relationship. The song ends with the plot unresolved. According to a radio interview done in Atlanta, Georgia the lyrics are loosely based on an actual phone call incident that did happen.

On January 22, 2007, "Lips of an Angel" took over the number one spot on the Canadian BDS chart from The Killers. A week later, it took over the number one spot on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart from Evermore.

The song is featured in the music video games Lips (as downloadable content), Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore, Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party, and a playable track in Band Hero.

Formats and track listings

Digital download
  1. "Lips of an Angel" - 4:21
CD single
  1. "Lips of an Angel" - 4:21
  2. "By the Way" (acoustic) - 3:34
  3. "Bliss (I Don't Wanna Know)" (acoustic) - 3:45

Chart performance

Chart (2006-07) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart 1
Canadian Hot 100 31
New Zealand Singles Chart 1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 3
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 18
U.S. Billboard Pop Songs 1
U.S. Billboard Adult Pop Songs 3
U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs 8

End of Year Charts

Chart (2007) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart 5[2]

Jack Ingram version

"Lips of an Angel"
Single by Jack Ingram
from the album This Is It
Released 2007
Format Digital download
Recorded 2007
Genre Country, adult alternative[3]
Length 3:45
Label Big Machine
Producer Jeremy Stover
Jack Ingram singles chronology
"Love You"
(2007)
"Lips of an Angel"
(2007)
"Measure of a Man"
(2007)

Country music artist Jack Ingram released a version of the song in early 2007. Ingram's version, the lead-off single to his 2007 album This Is It, reached a peak of #16 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in April 2007.

Regarding his cover of this song, Ingram gave an explanation in the liner notes of This Is It:

"I heard this song on the radio. I think it's a killer song. I thought we could give it another feel and do it justice. A good song is a good song. I'll let other people choose sides between what genre is what genre and who should stay inside which box. I think there are two kinds of music: good and bad. I try to stay on the right side. Besides, who hasn't felt this way at some point in their life? Don't lie."[4]

Chart performance

Chart (2006-2007) Peak
position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 16
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 77
US Billboard Pop 100 87

See also

References