“It’s about trying not to take responsibility for other people’s problems and trying to love yourself at the same time.” – Sarah McLachlan
We are backtracking in the Music Library Project to bring to you a song I was recently reunited with. This song should never had escaped my clutches since it is was recommended to me by my dear mother Rosemary many years ago. I resonated with this hauntingly beautiful ballad on a deeply emotional level. I recently played it for my kids for the first time and I felt like I was reliving the moment I first heard it. I don’t know what they thought of it, nor did I convey how their grandmother passed it on. I’ll play it again this morning for them as we get ready to go to football training.
To me this song Angel serves as a sanctuary – a call on the devine teacher of our higher consciousness to guide us from darkness into light and enable us to soar above the sorrow.
The Genesis of Angel
The seed of Angel was planted from Canadian singer songwriter Sarah McLachlan’s reflections on the pressures and tragedies of the music industry. She wrote the song in memory of Jonathan Melvoin, the Smashing Pumpkins’ keyboardist who tragically died of a heroin overdose in 1996. McLachlan’s empathy for artists struggling with addiction and her desire to address the pain and solace they seek inspired the lyrics.
“Spend all your time waiting / For that second chance / For a break that would make it okay”
The song first appeared on McLachlan’s fourth studio album, Surfacing, in 1997 and was released as the album’s fourth and final single in September 1998. Angel achieved remarkable success, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 (her second consecutive top-five hit on the US) and becoming a staple on radio stations and in film and television soundtracks.
References:
1. Angel (Sarah McLachlan song) – Wikipedia
2. Surfacing Album by Sarah McLachlan. Nettwerk Records, 1997.
3. McLachlan, Sarah. Interview on “Behind the Music”. VH1, 1999.
4. Billboard Chart History for “Angel”. Billboard.com.
5. “Sarah McLachlan Discusses ‘Angel'”. Rolling Stone, August 1997.
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I’ve always loved that song. It’s the first that comes to mind when I think of Sarah McLachlan. Her etheral vocals really draw you in. Great pick!
Christian, I think it was you who reunited me with this song not so long ago. So thank you.
I remember this song Matt, but never knew the artist! Lovely! We need more songs like it!! Great lyrics!
I’m chuffed you love it as well Sharon. I’ll respond to your email soon. Cheers.
I look forward to it!
Sweet..love it..
A gorgeous song, and undeniably one of McLachlan’s best.
I love it. Funny enough, I found myself waking up this morning singing it.