"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, #1 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, and at #36 on the UK Singles Chart. The song has had enduring popularity; it is often used to highlight emotional scenes on television shows and has been featured in a number of soundtracks (including the film City of Angels and TV's Alias, Dawson's Creek, Felicity, Cold Case, The Pretender and General Hospital) and as a song of comfort and healing following the April 1999 Columbine High School massacre and 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, otherwise known as D.M.C. of the famous hip-hop band Run-D.M.C., has said the song saved his life.^[1]

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.

A live version with Emmylou Harris appears on a Lilith Fair compilation, McLachlan's own iTunes Originals collection, and her Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff Volume 2 compilation.

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 sophomore album, Habla El Corazón, in a Spanish version entitled "Estar Junto A Tí," in memory of her late brother.

Lyrics

Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always one reason
To feel not good enough
And its hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memory seeps from my veins
Let me be empty
And weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there<br

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lie
That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no differenc
e Escaping one last time
It's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

References

External links

• Angel on YouTube (licensed content by Sony BMG)
• Brightcove music video