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{{Short description|1997 single by Robbie Williams}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=JulyDecember 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Angels
Line 9:
| artist = [[Robbie Williams]]
| album = [[Life thru a Lens]]
| B-side =
* "Karaoke Overkill"
* "Get the Joke"
* "[[Back for Good (song)|Back for Good]]" (live)
# "Walk This Sleigh"
| released = {{start date|df=yes|1997|12|1}}
| recorded = 1997
| studio = Matrix Maison Rouge (London, England)
| venuegenre =
| genre = {{Flat list|
* [[Pop rock]]
| length =
* [[gospel music|gospel]]}}
| length = {{Plain list|
* 4:24 (album version)
* 3:58 (radio edit)}}
| label = [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]
| writer = {{Flat list| Attributed to Robbie Williams and [[Guy Chambers]] ([[Angels (Robbie Williams song)#Writing|see below]])}} <!--Stop! DO NOT remove writers or the 'see below' template from this infobox without first contributing to the discussion on the article's talk page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Angels_(Robbie_Williams_song) -->
| producer = {{Flat list|
* [[Guy Chambers]]
* [[Steve Power]]}}
| prev_title = [[South of the Border (Robbie Williams song)|South of the Border]]
| prev_year = 1997
| next_title = [[Let Me Entertain You (Robbie Williams song)|Let Me Entertain You]]
| next_year = 1998
| misc =
{{External music video|{{YouTube|luwAMFcc2f8|"Angels"}}|header=Music videos}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|pv-XrJkUKY0|"Angels (XXV)"}}|header=no}}
}}
"'''Angels'''" is a song by the English singer-songwriter [[Robbie Williams]]. It was included on Williams's debut solo album, ''[[Life thru a Lens]]'' (1997)'','' and released as a single on 1 December 1997.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-11-29.pdf|title=Newby Releases: Singles|magazine=[[MusicChrysalis WeekRecords|Chrysalis]]|page=35|date=29 November 1997|access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref>. "Angels" was written by Williams and [[Guy Chambers]], <!-- DO NOT REMOVE THIS INFORMATION. This is sourced. Please discuss on the talk page if you want to remove it. -->who produced alongside [[Steve Power]]. The song is based on an earlier songversion written by Ray Heffernan.<!-- DO NOT REMOVE THIS INFORMATION. This is sourced. Please discuss on the talk page if you want to remove it. --> It is Williams' best-selling single and was voted the best song of the previous 25 years at the [[2005 Brit Awards]].
 
Williams said he wrote "Angels" with Chambers about his aunt and uncle, while Heffernan said he wrote the first version in 1996 and finished it with Williams. Williams confirmed that he recorded a demo with Heffernan but said he rewrote the song significantly with Chambers. To avoid a lawsuit, Williams bought the song rights from Heffernan before it was released. [[Vaughan Arnell]] directed its music video, which was shot in black and white.
"Angels" has been covered by artists including [[Jessica Simpson]], [[David Archuleta]], [[Beverley Knight]], [[All Angels]], [[Declan Galbraith]] and [[Josh Groban]]. It has been recorded in Spanish (as "Ángel") by Mexican singers [[Yuridia]] and [[Marco Moré]], and in Italian (as "Un Angelo") by [[Patrizio Buanne]]. Williams also recorded a Spanish version. In a 2005 poll, Britons voted "Angels" the song they most wanted played at their funeral.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angels 'favourite funeral song'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4336113.stm |work=BBC News |date=10 March 2005 |access-date=24 February 2013 }}</ref>
 
"Angels" is Williams's best-selling single, and the 34th-bestselling UK single of the 1990s. It was voted the best song of the previous 25 years at the [[2005 Brit Awards]], and in 2005, the British voted it the song they most wanted played at their funeral. The single also peaked at 53 on the U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100]] chart, becoming Williams’ biggest hit in the U.S. It has been covered by artists including [[Jessica Simpson]], [[David Archuleta]], [[Beverley Knight]], [[All Angels]], [[Declan Galbraith]] and [[Josh Groban]]. It was recorded in Spanish (as "Ángel") by the Mexican singers [[Yuridia]] and [[Marco Moré]], in Italian (as "Un Angelo") by [[Patrizio Buanne]] and in Brazilian Portuguese (as "Um Anjo") by [[KLB]]. Williams also recorded a Spanish version.
 
==Writing==
In 2011, [[Robbie Williams]] said he wrote "Angels" with his collaborator [[Guy Chambers]] in 25&nbsp; minutes about his aunt and uncle. By his account, he and Chambers were sitting outside a cafe watching a water fountain, which inspired them to write the [[chorus (song)|chorus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robbiewilliams.com/ |title=Home |publisher=RobbieWilliams.com |access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref> In 2016, Williams said: "It was the first of our songs that we wrote together. We could tell and hoped and prayed that we got something incredibly special."<ref>{{citeCite web|url=httphttps://www.rtlxl.nl/?&_ga=1.46985639.1696943651.1478038349#!/rtl-late-night-301978/579a3ceb-4116-4ed0-9b3d-4e5b2cdd831f|title=RTLHome|website=Rtlxl.nl|access-date=16 March XL2022}}</ref> Williams expressed irritation that some assumed Chambers was the sole author.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/take-that-robbie-joins-top-songwriters-vying-for-special-brit-486817.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/take-that-robbie-joins-top-songwriters-vying-for-special-brit-486817.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Take That! Robbie joins top songwriters vying for special Brit - News, Music|date=2 January 2005|access-date=29 September 2011|newspaper=The Independent}}{{cbignore}}</ref><!--Stop! DO NOT remove the sourced information below without first contributing to the discussion on the article's talk page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Angels_(Robbie_Williams_song) -->
 
The Irish singer-songwriter Ray Heffernan asserts thatsaid he wrote the first version of "Angels" in Paris in 1996, after his partner had a miscarriage.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPJZz86Wdgk|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/yPJZz86Wdgk|archive-date=13 December 2021|url-status=live|title=Ray Heffernan talks about Angels|last=brunolavelle|date=1 December 2006|via=YouTube|access-date=3 April 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> According to Heffernan, he met Williams in a pub by chance in Dublin., Heand showedlater played him, with his guitar, an incomplete version of thehis song. Heffernan said in 2010: "I had the first verse, some of the chorus and thatsome of the second verse." That week the two recorded a studio demo.<ref name=":0" /> Williams confirmed that he had recorded a demo with Heffernan but said he rewrote the song significantly with Chambers.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |date=11 December 2017 |title=Robbie Williams — True Geordie Podcast #74 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR_0zCBdI2k&t=7331s7900s |titleurl-status=ROBBIElive WILLIAMS - True Geordie Podcast #74|lastarchive-url=Truehttps://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/aR_0zCBdI2k Geordie|archive-date=1113 December 2017|via=YouTube2021 |access-date=3 April 2018 |website=True Geordie Podcast |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
 
Before the song's release, Heffernan accepted an offer from Williams's management to buy the rights for £7,500.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Heffernan |first=Ray |date=10 December 2011 |title=I played Robbie this song I'd been working on. It was called Angels |url=http://www.independent.ie/incoming/incoming_dailyfeed/i-played-robbie-this-song-id-been-working-on-it-was-called-angels-26801044.html |title=I played Robbie this song I'd been working on. It was called Angels |publisher=independent.ie |access-date=21 August 2017 |website=[[Irish Independent]] }}</ref> He is thanked in the UK CD2 single liner notes.<ref>Angels, UK CD2, liner notes</ref> Williams said: "We could have gone to court, and it all would have been down to whether what way the judge wakes up that day out of bed ... So I gave him some money, and he went away."<ref name="auto1" /> In 2011, Heffernan said: "For a long time, I was angry about this, but as you get older you see things differently ... theThe 'Angels' connection has opened doors to publishing companies and earned me a few quid."<ref name=":0" />
 
==Chart performance==
"Angels" was the 38th-best-selling single of 1997 in the UK and the 26th of 1998. It was the 34th-bestselling UK single of the decade. Despite only reaching a peak of No. 4, it is Williams's bestselling UK single and according to Official UK Charts Company figures passed the million sales mark in June 2009, with a combination of both physical and download sales. It has sold 1.8 million copies in the UK as of April 2021.<ref name="BPI" /> It was released in 1999 in the US, after Williams' debut there with "Millennium". It peaked at number 53, becoming his highest-charting single there. "Angels" re-entered the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA]] Top 100 at No. 91, on 5 May 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Australia's Official Music Charts |url=http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025115149/http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm |archive-date=25 October 2010 |access-date=29 September 2011 |publisher=ARIA Charts}}</ref> After announcing his ''[[XXV (Robbie Williams album)|XXV]]'' album in June 2022, and releasing a reworked version of "Angels", titled "Angels (XXV)", the song placed at number 92 on the UK Official Singles Sales Chart on 10 June.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 June 2022 |title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 - 10 June 2022 - 16 June 2022 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20220610 |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=Official Charts}}</ref>
 
==Critical reception==
Scottish newspaper ''[[Aberdeen Press and Journal]]'' stated thatnamed "Angels" is "perhaps the strongest cut" from the ''[[Life thru a Lens]]'' album.<ref>"ROBBIERobbie WILLIAMSWilliams". ''[[Aberdeen Press and Journal]]''. 7 November 1997. page 14. Retrieved 29 March 2020.</ref> John Bush from [[AllMusic]] noted Williams' "crooning" on the [[ballad]].<ref>{{cite web|first= John |last= Bush |title= Robbie Williams – ''Life Thru a Lens'' |publisher= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= 18 November 2020 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/life-thru-a-lens-mw0000462941}}</ref> [[Larry Flick]] fromof ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' described it as a "sweet ballad that never gets sappy". He noted that the production is "first-rate, the lyric is thoughtful and ear-grabbing, and his smoky, crisp vocal is a sheer delight. All that and a [[chorus (song)|chorus]] to kill for."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1999/BB-1999-09-18.pdf|first=Larry|last=Flick|title=Single Reviews|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=18 September 1999|access-date=10 February 2020|page=26|author-link=Larry Flick}}</ref> An editor for ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]'' wrote,felt "TheWilliams ex-[[Take That]] star shows he hashad "come of age with this melodic pop ballad."<ref>"Chart Slot; TOPTop 10 SINGLESSingles CHARTChart". ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]''. 20 February 1998. Retrieved 1 December 2020.</ref> Theyand alsocomplimented added,a "Surprisinglysurprisingly grown-up sounding Robbie on what is his best tune to date.".<ref>"Chart Slot". ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]''. 12 December 1997. Retrieved 1 December 2020.</ref> A reviewer from ''[[Irish Independent]]'' called it an "epic ballad".<ref>"A showbiz tart finger in every". ''[[Irish Independent]]''. 28 August 1999. page 32. Retrieved 29 March 2020.</ref> Pan-European magazine ''[[Music & Media]]'' commented that "with songs of the quality of Angels, Robbie Williams is on his way towards extending his audience by drawing in older listeners." They also added that it "distinguishes itself from its indie rock inspired predecessors '[[Old Before I Die]]' and '[[Lazy Days]]' by exchanging their guitars for a more mellow, piano-based arrangement."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-12-20.pdf|title=Airborne|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|page=17|access-date=23 December 2019}}</ref> Dave Fawbert from ''[[ShortList]]'' called it a "genuinely brilliant song", adding that it has "a pretty understated vocal from Robbie. Nothing too over the top, just sincere."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shortlist.com/news/old-music-friday-1-12-1997|last=Fawbert|first=Dave|title=Old Music Friday: reviewing all the tunes released 20 years ago today|website=[[ShortList]]|date=1 December 2017|access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> In 2003, ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' ranked "Angels" number 237 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever".<ref>{{cite web|title=Q - 1001 best songs ever (2003)|url=http://www.muzieklijstjes.nl/Q1001bestsongsever.htm}}</ref>
 
''[[Music & Media]]'' wrote: "With songs of the quality of 'Angels', Robbie Williams is on his way towards extending his audience by drawing in older listeners ... [It] distinguishes itself from its indie rock-inspired predecessors '[[Old Before I Die]]' and '[[Lazy Days]]' by exchanging their guitars for a more mellow, piano-based arrangement."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-12-20.pdf|title=Airborne|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|date=20 December 1997|page=17|access-date=23 December 2019}}</ref> ''[[Music Week]]'' gave "Angels" four out of five, likening it to [[Elton John]] and saying it suggested that Williams would be more successful than his former Take That bandmate [[Gary Barlow]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-11-22-I.pdf|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=22 November 1997|page=12|access-date=22 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Martin|last=Aston|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-09-13.pdf|title=Robbie Williams — Painful Journey To A New Sound And Image|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=13 September 1997|page=27|access-date=22 September 2022}}</ref> The [[Pitchfork (website)|''Pitchfork'']] writer Michael Sandlin called the song a "pink feather-boa'd Elton John mishap" with a guitar imitating [[George Harrison]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20000816193653/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com:80/record-reviews/w/williams_robbie/ego-has-landed.shtml</ref>
==Chart performance==
"Angels" was the 38th-bestselling single of 1997 in the UK, and the 26th of 1998. It was the 34th-bestselling single of the decade. Despite only reaching a peak of No. 4, it is Williams' bestselling UK single and according to Official UK Charts Company figures passed the million sales mark in June 2009, with a combination of both physical and download sales. It has sold 1.8 million copies in the UK as of April 2021.<ref name="BPI" /> It was released in 1999 in the US, after Williams' debut there with "Millennium".{{Citation needed|date=June 2018}} "Angels" re-entered the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA]] Top 100 at No. 91, on 5 May 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm |title=Australia's Official Music Charts |publisher=ARIA Charts |access-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5tx0pHeUE?url=http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm |archive-date=2 November 2010}}</ref>
 
In 2017, Dave Fawbert from ''[[ShortList]]'' declared "Angels" "genuinely brilliant", with "a pretty understated vocal from Robbie. Nothing too over the top, just sincere."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shortlist.com/news/old-music-friday-1-12-1997|last=Fawbert|first=Dave|title=Old Music Friday: reviewing all the tunes released 20 years ago today|website=[[ShortList]]|date=1 December 2017|access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote in 2022 that "Angels" was "so ubiquitous for so long that it is almost impossible for anyone of a certain age to listen to it objectively: throughout the late 90s and 00s, it wasn't so much a song as an unavoidable fact of daily life. Most pop songwriters would kill to come up with something with such impact and longevity."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-25 |title=Robbie Williams' 20 greatest songs – ranked! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/aug/25/robbie-williams-20-greatest-songs-ranked |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2003, ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' named "Angels" the 237th-best song of all time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.muzieklijstjes.nl/Q1001bestsongsever.htm|title=Q - 1001 best songs ever (2003)|website=Muzieklijstjes.nl|access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref>
==Music video==
The video for "Angels" was directed by [[Vaughan Arnell]],<ref name="MTV hand on heart"/> and filmed at [[Saunton Sands]]. Filmed largely from the air, Williams walks around a beach, stares at the sky, kicks a football and rides a motorbike with a woman while a helicopter flies around them.<ref name="youtube">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luwAMFcc2f8 |title=Robbie Williams - Angels |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref>
 
===Awards===
In November 2013, English singer-songwriter [[Olly Murs]] released a music video promoting his song "[[Hand on Heart]]", imitating the video to "Angels". Also directed by Arnell, and shot in [[black-and-white]], the video featured a cameo appearance by Williams. He said: "Imitation is the highest form of flattery. I am easily flattered, and I love Olly. We always have a good time together and this was no exception."<ref name="MTV hand on heart">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/olly-murs/394639-olly-murs-robbie-williams-hand-on-heart-video-angels-still-here |title=Olly Murs Unveils 'Hand On Heart' Video |publisher=MTV |date=4 November 2013 |access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref>
At the [[2005 BRIT Awards|2005 Brit Awards]], the British public voted "Angels" the best British song of the past 25 years. Williams performed it with [[Joss Stone]].{{Cn|date=July 2024}} In a 2005 survey by UK digital TV station Music Choice, Britons chose it as the song they would most like played at their funeral.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4336113.stm |title=Angels 'favourite funeral song' |work=BBC News |date=10 March 2005 |access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref>
 
==AwardsMusic video==
The music video for "Angels" was directed by [[Vaughan Arnell]],<ref name="MTV hand on heart">{{cite web |date=4 November 2013 |title=Olly Murs Unveils 'Hand On Heart' Video |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/olly-murs/394639-olly-murs-robbie-williams-hand-on-heart-video-angels-still-here |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104191944/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/olly-murs/394639-olly-murs-robbie-williams-hand-on-heart-video-angels-still-here |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2013 |access-date=1 December 2013 |publisher=MTV}}</ref> and filmed at [[Saunton Sands]]. Filmed largely from the air, Williams walks around a beach, stares at the sky, kicks a football and rides a motorbike with a woman while a helicopter flies around them.<ref name="youtube">{{cite web |title=Robbie Williams - Angels | date=7 January 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luwAMFcc2f8 |access-date=1 December 2013 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
At the [[2005 BRIT Awards]], "Angels" was voted by the British public the best song in the past 25 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, Britons chose it as the song they would most like played at their funeral.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4336113.stm |title=Angels 'favourite funeral song' |work=BBC News |date=10 March 2005 |access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref>
 
==Live performances==
[[File:Sdm 4641.jpg|thumb|right|Williams and Russian soprano [[Aida Garifullina]] performing “Angels” at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony]] in Moscow, Russia]]
In 2009, Williams performed "Angels" at the final of the [[The X Factor (UK series 6)|sixth series]] of ''[[The X Factor (UKBritish TV series)|The X Factor]]'' with [[Olly Murs]]. On 14 June 2018, Williams performed "Angels" with the Russian soprano [[Aida Garifullina]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony]] held at the [[Luzhniki Stadium]] in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=World Cup 2018: Ronaldo and Robbie Williams star in opening ceremony |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44487420 |agency=BBC |date=14 June 2018}}</ref> On 23 June 2018, Williams performed the song as a special guest at the American singer-songwriter's [[Taylor Swift]]'s [[Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour|Reputation Stadium Tour]] concert at [[Wembley Stadium]] in, London.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-taylor-swift-robbie-williams-perform-angels-in-london-666095/|title=Watch Taylor Swift, Robbie Williams Perform 'Angels' in London|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=24 June 2018|access-date=4 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515152824/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-taylor-swift-robbie-williams-perform-angels-in-london-666095/|archive-date=15 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
==Formats and track listings==
{{col-begin|width=74%}}
{{col-2}}
* '''UK CD1'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mattscdsingles.com/acatalog/robbiewilliamsangels.html |title=Robbie Williams - Angels CD Singles, Robbie Williams - Angels CDs, Buy Rare Robbie Williams - Angels CDs |publisher=Mattscdsingles.com |access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Angels|others=[[Robbie Williams]]|year=1997|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=[[Chrysalis Records]]|id=CDCHSS 5072, 7243 8 84984 2 5}}</ref>
# "Angels" – 4:24
# "Karaoke Overkill" – 3:31
# "Get the Joke" – 3:03
# "Angels" (acoustic version) – 4:27
 
* '''UK CD2 and cassette single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Angels|others=Robbie Williams|year=1997|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Chrysalis Records|id=CDCHS 5072, 7243 8 84983 2 6}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Angels|others=Robbie Williams|year=1997|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Chrysalis Records|id=TCCHS 5072, 7243 8 84983 4 0}}</ref>
;UK CD1
# "Angels" – 4:24
# "[[Back for Good (song)|Back for Good]]" (live version) – 3:59
# "Walk This Sleigh" – 3:01
 
* '''European CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Angels|others=Robbie Williams|year=1997|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Chrysalis Records|id=7243 8 85013 2 3}}</ref>
;UK CD2
# "Angels" – 4:24
# "Walk This Sleigh" – 3:01
{{col-2}}
* '''Australian CD single (1997)'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Angels|others=Robbie Williams|year=1997|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Chrysalis Records|id=8851472}}</ref>
# "Angels" – 4:24
# "Karaoke Overkill" – 3:31
# "Get the Joke" – 3:03
 
# "Angels" (acoustic version) – 4:27<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mattscdsingles.com/acatalog/robbiewilliamsangels.html |title=Robbie Williams - Angels CD Singles, Robbie Williams - Angels CDs, Buy Rare Robbie Williams - Angels CDs |publisher=Mattscdsingles.com |access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref>
* '''Australian CD single (1999)'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Angels|others=Robbie Williams|year=1999|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Chrysalis Records|id=8877222}}</ref>
# "Angels" – 4:24
# "[[It's Only Us]]" – 2:50
# "Angels" (live) – 5:39
# "[[Let Me Entertain You (Robbie Williams song)|Let Me Entertain You]]" (live at [[19th Brit Awards|The Brits '99]]) – 4:41
# "[[Millennium (song)|Millennium]]" – 4:05
{{col-end}}
 
==Credits and personnel==
Credits are taken from the ''Life thru a Lens'' album booklet.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Life thru a Lens|title-link=Life thru a Lens|others=Robbie Williams|year=1997|type=UK CD album booklet|publisher=Chrysalis Records|id=CDCHR 6127, 7243 8 21313 2 8}}</ref>
 
'''Studios'''
* Recorded at Matrix Maison Rouge (London, England)
* Mixed at Battery Studios (London, England)
 
'''Personnel'''
{{div col}}
* Robbie Williams – writing, vocals
* Guy Chambers – writing, keyboards, production, arrangement
* [[Gary Nuttall]] – backing vocals, guitar
* [[Andre Barreau]] – backing vocals, guitar
* Nicole Patterson – backing vocals
* [[Chester Kamen]] – guitar
* [[Mark Smith (musician)|Mark Smith]] – bass, programming
* Steve Power – keyboards, production, mixing, programming
* [[Chris Sharrock]] – drums
* Andy Duncan – percussion
* [[The London Session Orchestra]] – orchestra
* [[Gavyn Wright]] – [[concertmaster]]
* Jim Brumby – Battery Studios assistant
* Matt Hay – Matrix Maison Rouge assistant
{{div col end}}
 
==Charts==
{{col-startbegin}}
{{col-2}}
 
Line 80 ⟶ 132:
|-
!Chart (1997–2000)
!Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|40|artist=Robbie Williams|song=Angels}}
Line 113 ⟶ 165:
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|23|artist=Robbie Williams|song=Angels}}
|-
|Nicaragua ([[El Siglo de Torreón]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=EDT/2000/05/29/58/Ar05800.xml&CollName=EDT_2000_2009&DOCID=79712&PageLabelPrint=58&skin=%45%6c%53%69%67%6c%6f&sLanguage=%45%6e%67%6c%69%73%68&Content=%41%4c%4c&selLanguage=&sPublication=%45%44%54&sQuery=%22%54%68%61%6c%69%61%22%2b%22%41%72%72%61%73%61%6e%64%6f%22&sScopeID=%44%52&sDateFrom=%30%31%25%32%46%30%31%25%32%46%32%30%30%30&sDateTo=%31%32%25%32%46%33%31%25%32%46%32%30%30%30&x=%32%38&y=%31%36&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=%32%35&ViewMode=HTML|title=Los Discos Más Vendicos En Iberoamérica y Estados Unidos|work=[[El Siglo de Torreón]]|date=2000|language=Spanish|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220317123431/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=EDT/2000/05/29/58/Ar05800.xml&CollName=EDT_2000_2009&DOCID=79712&PageLabelPrint=58&skin=ElSiglo&sLanguage=English&Content=ALL&selLanguage=&sPublication=EDT&sQuery=%22Thalia%22%2B%22Arrasando%22&sScopeID=DR&sDateFrom=01%252F01%252F2000&sDateTo=12%252F31%252F2000&x=28&y=16&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=25&ViewMode=HTML|archive-date=March 17, 2022|access-date=February 6, 2023}}</ref>
|align="center"|8
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|2|date=19980207}}
Line 122 ⟶ 177:
{{single chart|UK|4|date=19980221}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|53|artist=Robbie Williams|access-date=8 November 2021}}
| US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>Top Pop Singles by Joel Whitburn, 12th ed., p. 1063</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|53
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|10|artist=Robbie Williams|access-date=8 November 2021}}
| US [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=robbie williams|chart=all}} Chart positions for "Angels" in the United States]</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|10
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|21|artist=Robbie Williams|access-date=8 November 2021}}
| US [[Adult Top 40]]
| style="text-align:center;"|21
|-
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|25|artist=Robbie Williams|access-date=8 November 2021}}
| US [[Mainstream Top 40]]
| style="text-align:center;"|25
|}
{{col-2}}
Line 152 ⟶ 203:
|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1998|title=Jaaroverzichten 1998|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=nl|access-date=8 March 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|39
|-
|Brazil ([[Crowley Broadcast Analysis|Crowley]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maistocadas.mus.br/1998/|title=Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 1998|date=April 3, 2018|publisher=[[Crowley Broadcast Analysis]]|accessdate=June 29, 2024}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|97
|-
|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-12-19.pdf|title=Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1998|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=15|issue=51|page=8|date=19 December 1998|access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref>
Line 182 ⟶ 236:
!Position
|-
|Canada Adult Contemporary (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9964&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9964.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9964|title=RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks|magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|publishervia=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|85
|-
|US Adult Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1999|magazine=[[Airplay Monitor]]|volume=7|issue=52|page=47|date=24 December 1999}}</ref>
|align="center"|84
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (2000)
!Position
|-
|US Adult Contemporary (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Best of 2000: Most Played Adult Contemporary Songs|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=8|issue=51|page=50|date=22 December 2000}}</ref>
|align="center"|28
|-
|US Adult Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2000|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=8|issue=51|page=48|date=22 December 2000}}</ref>
|align="center"|62
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (2006)
!Position
|-
|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2006.pdf|title=The Official UK Singles Chart 2006|work=[[UKChartsPlus]]|access-date=14 November 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|198
|}
{{col-end}}
Line 189 ⟶ 265:
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|title=Angels|artist=Robbie Williams|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1997|certyear=1998|certref=<ref name=ultratop>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/xls/Awards%201998.htm#Thema_4|title=Ultratop 50 Albums Wallonie 1998|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref>|access-date=28 September 2011}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=DenmarkBrazil|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Angels|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1997|certyear=2018|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifpi.dk/?q=content/robbie-williams-angels|title=Robbie Williams "Angels"|publisher=[[IFPI Denmark]]|date=13 February 20182024|access-date=2412 FebruaryJuly 2018}}</ref>2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|title=AngelsDenmark|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Angels|type=single|award=GoldPlatinum|relyear=1997|certyear=19982021|salesamountid= 187,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/S_Certif_Argent.php?debut=600 |title=InfoDisc : Les Certifications (Singles) du SNEP (les Singles en Argent) |publisher=Infodisc.fr 10711|access-date=312 MarchNovember 2014}}</ref>2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|title=Angels|artist=Robbie Williams|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1997|certyear=1998}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=Angels|artist=Robbie Williams|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1997|certyear=2023|access-date=8 June 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|title=Angels|artist=Robbie Williams|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1997|certyear=2021|id=8991|access-date=20 September 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Angels|artist=Robbie WilliamsSpain|type=single|award=Platinum|numbercertyear=32024|relyearartist=1997Robbie Williams|certyeartitle=2021|id=516-533-1Angels|access-date=91 AprilJuly 2021|refname="BPI"2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Angels|artist=Robbie Williams|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1997|certyear=2021|id=516-533-1|access-date=9 April 2021|refname="BPI"|salesamount=2,000,000|salesref=<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robbie Williams' Official Top 40 biggest singles in the UK revealed |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/robbie-williams-official-top-40-biggest-singles-in-the-uk-revealed__16972/ |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
 
==Release history==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format(s)
!scope="col"|Label(s)
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom
|1 December 1997
|{{hlist|CD|cassette}}
|[[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-11-29.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=35|date=29 November 1997|access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|United States
|6 September 1999
|[[Hot adult contemporary]] radio
|rowspan="2"|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
|align="center"|<ref name="gavin">{{cite magazine|title=Impact Dates|magazine=[[Gavin Report]]|issue=2271|pages=7, 22|date=6 September 1999}}</ref>
|-
|7 September 1999
|[[Contemporary hit radio]]
|align="center"|<ref name="gavin"/><ref>{{cite magazine|title=CHR/Pop: Going for Adds|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|issue=1315|page=47|date=3 September 1999}}</ref>
|}
 
==Cover versions==
Line 204 ⟶ 308:
| type = single
| artist = [[Jessica Simpson]]
| album = [[In This Skin]] {{noitalic|(reissue)}}
| released = {{start date|2004|6|8|df=y}}
| recorded =
Line 214 ⟶ 318:
| writer =
| producer = Billy Mann
| prev_title = [[Take My Breath Away#Jessica Simpson version|Take My Breath Away]]
| prev_year = 2004
| next_title = [[These Boots Are Made for Walkin'#Jessica Simpson version|These Boots Are Made for Walkin']]
| next_year = 2005
| misc = {{External music video|header=Licensed audio|{{YouTube|whJGTlPi2NU|"Angels"}}}}
}}
[[Jessica Simpson]]'s cover of "Angels" was the fourth and final single released from her [[album]] ''[[In This Skin]]'' in 2004. It was produced by [[Billy Mann]].
Line 225 ⟶ 330:
 
====Chart performance====
Simpson's version of "Angels" failed to break into the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] (though it did reach number six on the [[Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles]]). However, the song did become a moderate success{{Clarify|reason=vague|date=August 2016}} on the [[Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs)|Top 40 Mainstream]] and [[Hot Digital Tracks]] charts. Both Simpson, and her father and manager Joe Simpson, had hoped this song would lead to her first Grammy nomination, as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, her 1990s rivals, had each already been nominated as well as winning. The song's downloads were not allowed to help it.
 
====Track listing====
Line 244 ⟶ 349:
|-
!Chart (2004)
!Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|27|artist=Jessica Simpson|song=Angels|access-date=15 October 2020}}
Line 251 ⟶ 356:
| style="text-align:center;"|29
|-
|Romania ([[Romanian Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10141.html |title=Arhiva romanian top 100: Editia 42, saptamina 18.10 – 24.10, 2004 |publisher=[[Romanian Top 100]] |language=ro |access-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050510171414/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10141.html |archive-date=10 May 2005}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|78
|-
Line 273 ⟶ 378:
| [[Contemporary hit radio]]
| [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-06-04.pdf|title=Radio & Records|date=2004-06-04|website=World Radio History|access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref>
|}
 
Line 295 ⟶ 400:
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = [[Maledetta Primaveraprimavera#Cover versions|La Malditamaldita Primaveraprimavera]]
| next_year = 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 and lead single. In [[Mexico]], as well as in other parts of [[Latin America]], "Ángel", became an instant hit, leading her debut album of almost the same name to achieve Diamond status in Mexico and becoming one of the most recent best selling Mexican singers and the best female Mexican seller of the past decade. The singer received two gold certifications for 20,000 copies sold in Mexico.
 
Line 346 ⟶ 452:
 
====Chart performance====
Archuleta's version of the song has become the second highest charting version in the [[United States]] after the original performed by Robbie Williams. It managed to enter the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at #No. 89 due to digital downloads. On the [[Canadian Hot 100]] the song peaked at #No. 64.
 
====Charts====
Line 386 ⟶ 492:
| next_year = 2021
}}
In November 2020, [[Blessing Chitapa]], winner of the [[The Voice UK (series 9)|ninth series]] of ''[[The Voice UK]]'', released a cover version of "'''Angels'''" as her winner's single. The song is included on Chitapa’sChitapa's debut album, ''Count My Blessings''.
 
On 14 November 2020, Chitapa performed the song "Angels" live on ''The Voice UK'' grand final, with the single being released after the show was finished as a digital download.
Line 415 ⟶ 521:
|}
 
===OtherKindred notable versionsSpirit ===
* In June 2021, an artist collective named Kindred Spirit that included [[Glen Matlock]], [[Steve Norman]], [[Marcella Detroit]], [[Earl Slick]] among others, released a cover version of the song titled "Angels (Of The Nations)" to both commemorate music producer Steve Brown who died in 2021 and raise money to offer angel sculptures as gifts to the families of UK doctors who died of [[COVID-19|Covid]] whilst working for the British [[National Health Service|NHS]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pingitore |first=Silvia |date=2021-06-20 June 2021 |title=To the 1980s New Romantic and back: interview with Spandau Ballet's Steve Norman |url=https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/steve-norman-spandau-ballet-interview/ |access-date=2021-10-10 October 2021 |website=Thethe-shortlisted.co.uk Shortlisted|language=en-GB}}</ref>
 
==References==
{{Reflist|3}}
 
==External links==
* [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]
*{{YouTube|po1eg2_Dot8|Jessica Simpson - Angels (Live Video Version)}}
* {{MetroLyrics song|robbie-williams|angels}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->
*{{YouTube|gXYMgoKGP38|Angels (Acoustic)}}
 
{{Robbie Williams singles}}
Line 431 ⟶ 538:
{{Yuridia}}
{{Brit British Single}}
{{Authority control}}
 
{{authority control}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Angels (Robbie Williams Song)}}
[[Category:1997 songs]]
[[Category:1997 singles]]
[[Category:1990s ballads]]
[[Category:2004 singles]]
[[Category:Black-and-white music videos]]
[[Category:Brit Award for British Single]]
[[Category:Robbie Williams songs]]
[[Category:Rock ballads]]
[[Category:2004 singles]]
[[Category:Jessica Simpson songs]]
[[Category:David Archuleta songs]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Samuel Bayer]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Matthew Rolston]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Vaughan Arnell]]
[[Category:Black-and-white music videos]]
[[Category:Pop ballads]]
[[Category:Rock ballads]]
[[Category:Songs written by Guy Chambers]]
[[Category:Songs written by Robbie Williams]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Guy Chambers]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Steve Power]]
[[Category:1997Songs songsinvolved in plagiarism controversies]]
[[Category:Capitol Records singles]]
[[Category:Chrysalis Records singles]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
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[[Category:Jive Records singles]]
[[Category:Yuridia songs]]
[[Category:Songs about angels]]
[[Category:Songs composed in E major]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_(Robbie_Williams_song)"