Angels (song)
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"Angels" | ||
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Single by Robbie Williams | ||
from the album Life Thru a Lens | ||
Released | December 1, 1997 | |
Format | CD Single | |
Genre | Pop | |
Length | 4:24 | |
Label | Chrysalis Records | |
Producer(s) | Guy Chambers & Steve Power | |
Chart positions | ||
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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 and also by singer Beverley Knight and 2006 newcomer band All Angels. The original recording by Williams proved to be the greatest commercial success.
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. This however has not been officially verified, and has been thought by some to be an attempt by Heffernan to boost his own songwriting career.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Robbie Williams
"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 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.
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.
Like Old Before I Die there have been rumours that this song was in fact written by Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, before William's feud with the Gallagher brothers.[citation needed]
[edit] Track listing
North American promotional CD
- "Angels"
Australian promotional CD
- "Angels"
- "Angels (US Dance Mix)"
Mexican promotional CD[2]
- "Angels"
- "Angels (Spanish Version)"
[edit] Links of interest
[edit] Jessica Simpson
"Angels" | ||
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Single by Jessica Simpson | ||
from the album In This Skin | ||
Released | 2004 | |
Format | CD Single Digital Single Airplay |
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Genre | Pop | |
Length | 04:05 | |
Label | Columbia Records | |
Producer(s) | billymann | |
Chart positions | ||
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Jessica Simpson singles chronology | ||
"Take My Breath Away" (2004) |
"Angels" (2004) |
"Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" (2004) |
"Angels" is the fourth and final single from pop music singer Jessica Simpson, 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.
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. The song's downloads were not allowed to help it.
[edit] Track listing
CD Single
- "Angels"
- "Angels (Stealth Remix)"
- "Fly" (B-Side)
- "Angels (Enhanced Video)"
Chart (2004) | Position |
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U.S. Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles | 6 |
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Tracks | 32 |
U.S. Top 40 Tracks | 37 |
U.S. Top 40 Mainstream | 23 |
Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 27 |
Mexican Top 100 | 10 |
[edit] Yuridia
"Ángel" | ||
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Single by Yuridia | ||
from the album La Voz de un Ángel | ||
Released | 2005 | |
Format | Airplay | |
Genre | Pop | |
Length | 04:17 | |
Label | Sony BMG Music Entertainment | |
Chart positions | ||
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Yuridia singles chronology | ||
"Ángel" (2004) |
"La Maldita Primavera" (2006) |
In 2005, Yuridia, former contestant of the popular Mexican show La Academia, released "Ángel", Spanish version of the song, as her debut single. Which she had interpreted during her stay in the reality show, and which the producers thought was her best song. 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 in 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.
Chart 2005 | Position |
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Mexico Top 100 | 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
As of December 2006, British manufactured group All Angels were to release their debut single "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 of the song.
[edit] External links
Studio albums
Life thru a Lens • I've Been Expecting You • Sing When You're Winning • Swing When You're Winning • Escapology • Intensive Care • Rudebox • Let's Swing Again
Other albums
The Ego Has Landed • Live at Knebworth • Greatest Hits
Singles
"Freedom" • "Old Before I Die" • "Lazy Days" • "South of the Border" • "Angels" • "Let Me Entertain You" • "Millennium" • "No Regrets" • "Strong" • "She's The One"/"It's Only Us" • "Win Some Lose Some" • "Rock DJ" • "Kids" • "Supreme" • "Let Love Be Your Energy" • "Eternity"/"The Road to Mandalay" • "We Are the Champions" • "Somethin' Stupid" • "Better Man" • "Mr. Bojangles"/"I Will Talk And Hollywood Will Listen" • "Feel" • "Come Undone" • "Something Beautiful" • "Sexed Up" • "Radio" • "Misunderstood" • "Tripping" • "Make Me Pure" • "Advertising Space" • "Sin Sin Sin" • "Rudebox" • "Lovelight" • "Bongo Bong and Je Ne T'Aime Plus (promo)" • "She's Madonna"
Discography • Singles • Take That • Britpop • Guy Chambers
Studio albums: Sweet Kisses (1999) · Irresistible (2001) · In This Skin (2003) · A Public Affair (2006)
Singles: '"I Wanna Love You Forever" · "Where You Are" · "I Think I'm in Love with You" · "Irresistible" · "A Little Bit" · "Sweetest Sin" · "With You" · "Take My Breath Away" · "Angels" · "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" · "A Public Affair" · "I Belong to Me" · "You Spin Me 'Round (Like A Record)"