"Angel" is a power ballad[2][3][4] by American rock band Aerosmith. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler and professional songwriting collaborator Desmond Child.
| "Angel" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Aerosmith | ||||
| from the album Permanent Vacation | ||||
| B-side | "Girl Keeps Coming Apart" | |||
| Released | January 5, 1988 | |||
| Recorded | 1987 | |||
| Genre | Glam metal[1] | |||
| Length | 5:08 (album version) 3:56 (radio edit) 4:02 (from Greatest Hits 2023) | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Steven Tyler, Desmond Child | |||
| Producer(s) | Bruce Fairbairn | |||
| Aerosmith singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Angel" on YouTube | ||||
It was released in 1988 as the third single from the band's 1987 album, Permanent Vacation. It quickly climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100,[5] which at the time was their highest-charting single ever. The song currently ranks second behind their 1998 smash "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", which was Aerosmith's first (and, as of 2022, only) single to top the Hot 100.[5]
Reception edit
Cash Box called it a "searing rock ballad" on which "Steven Tyler recreates the emotional intensity of the classic 'Dream On.'"[6]
Song structure edit
Personnel edit
- Steven Tyler – lead vocals, piano
- Joe Perry – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Brad Whitford – rhythm guitar
- Tom Hamilton – bass guitar
- Joey Kramer – drums
Additional musicians
Charts edit
References edit
- ^ Goldsmith, Melissa (2019). Listen to Classic Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre. ABC-CLIO. p. 26. ISBN 9781440865794.
- ^ "Music Review: 'Big Ones'". EW.com. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ Blabbermouth (2012-08-29). "25th Anniversary Of AEROSMITH's 'Permanent Vacation' Celebrated On 'In The Studio'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ "Aerosmith Tell the Story Behind Their Hard-Rock Masterpiece 'Toys in the Attic'". SPIN. 2015-05-04. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ a b "Aerosmith". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. January 23, 1988. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
- ^ Stephenson, Ken (2002). What to Listen for in Rock: A Stylistic Analysis, p.92. ISBN 978-0-300-09239-4.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5494". RPM. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
- ^ "Aerosmith | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
- ^ "Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
- ^ "Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1988". Archived from the original on 4 February 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-09.