Angels (Robbie Williams song)

Single infobox
Name = Angels


Artist = Robbie Williams
from Album = Life Thru a Lens
Released = December 1, 1997
Format = CD single, Cassette
Recorded = 1997
Genre = Soft rock
Power Ballad
Length = 4:24
Label = Chrysalis
Writer = Robbie Williams
Guy Chambers
Producer = Guy Chambers
Steve Power
Certification = 2x Platinum (BPI)
Last single = "South of the Border"
(1997)
This single = "Angels"
(1997)
Next single = "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 28 million worldwide. [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=XtcxZTGI_yc YouTube - Robbie Williams Concert - Brisbane, Australia 14/12/2006 ] ]

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. [ [www.robbiewilliams.com Angels, Discography, Robbie Williams' Official Website] ]

"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. Williams performed the song live with Joss Stone then. 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. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4336113.stm Angels 'favourite funeral song'] ]

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 was at 1 on the U.S. iTunes primarily due to the performance of the song by David Archuleta on American Idol earlier that week. After an 8 year absence on the chart, "Angels" re entered the ARIA Top 100 at 91, on May 5 2008. [ [http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm ARIA Charts : Australia's Official Music Charts ] ]

Formats and track listings

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

UK CD1
(Released December 1, 1997)
# "Angels" - 4:25
# "Back For Good" [Live] - 2:19
# "Walk This Sleigh" - 3:01

UK CD2
(Released December 1, 1997)
# "Angels" - 4:25
# "Back For Good" [Live] - 2:19
# "Angels" [Acoustic Version] - 4:28
# "South Of The Border" [Mother's Milkin' It Mix] - 7:09
# "Angels" Enhanced Video

UK Limited Edition Postcard Pack
(Released December 1, 1997)
# "Angels" [Acoustic Version] - 4:28
# "Get The Joke" - 2:57
# "Angels" - 4:25
# "Karaoke Overkill" - 3:26

Charts

Yuridia

Single infobox
Name = Ángel


Artist = Yuridia
from Album = La Voz de un Ángel
Released = 2005
Format =
Recorded =
Genre = Latin/Pop
Length = 4:17
Label = Sony BMG
Writer =
Producer =
Last single =
This single = "Ángel"
(2004)
Next single = "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.

multi-listen item
filename=
title="Ángel" (2005)
description= "Ángel", Yuridia's first single, launched her carrer. The song is a spanish cover of Robbie Williams' Angels. |

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.

All Angels

Single infobox
Name = Angels
Artist = All Angels
from Album = All Angels
Released = December 18 2006
Format = CD
Recorded =
Genre = Pop
Length = 4:19
Label = UCJ (Universal)
Writer =
Producer =
Last single = "Songbird"
(2006)
This single = "Angels"
(2006)
Next single = "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).

Track listing

CD Single
# "Angels" - 3:18
# "Silent Night" - 3:14
# "Fly" - 3:45

References

External links

* [http://www.viva.tv/Stars/Player/id/17136/asset_id/21773/type/video/inter_id/437 Video of Angels, performed by Robbie Williams]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOKr0jr1c4M&eurl= Music Video of Angels, performed by Jessica Simpson]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/angels.shtml BBC Radio 2: Sold On Song on Angels]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4336113.stm BBC news article on the funeral choice of music]