Hello, and welcome to Hearing Double, where I compare and contrast two unrelated songs of the same title and decide which title does the most justice!
This week, we’re looking to the heavens with “Angel” by Shaggy and Rayvon or Aerosmith. Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” is too closely associated with shivering puppies in ASPCA commercials for me to review.
Shaggy released reggae hit “Angel” in 2000 as part of his album “Hot Shot,” with Rayvon lending his voice to the chorus. The song praises a woman who has been there for the singer through the ups and downs of life.
The song acknowledges the carefree nature of some romances, comparing life to “one big party when you’re still young.” However, it then immediately poses the ultimate question: “who’s gonna have your back when it’s all done?”
The rest of the song essentially answers that question by explaining how the subject of the song, the titular “angel,” has always stuck with the singer, even “through my incarceration.” The chorus says that the woman is “my friend when I’m in need,” emphasizing the very real importance of a relationship built on friendship as well as romance.
Fans of Steve Miller Band will recognize the background track of “The Joker” supporting this song, and fans of the ‘80s in general will notice that the song samples Juice Newton’s “Angel of the Morning” for the chorus. This is an excellent example of sampling done right. Although the presence of each song is clear, they are remixed and blended with reggae influences to giving “Angel” an entirely distinct identity of its own. The music is upbeat yet calming, and it manages to convey a sense of genuine admiration for the subject.
Aerosmith’s “Angel” was a part of the fantastic 1987 “Permanent Vacation” album. It managed to be the band’s second highest song on the charts after “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,” despite many other hits with enduring popularity.
The song is a fantastic combination of everything Aerosmith is good at. It’s a rock power ballad that allows Steven Tyler’s impressive vocals to shine without sacrificing transcendent instrumentation, especially from Joe Perry on guitar and Joey Kramer on drums. Joe Perry also deserves a shoutout for his fabulous backing vocals in this song.
The song asks for the singer’s angel to “save me tonight” and “make it alright.” The verses explain how the narrator is aching from loneliness and needs his lover to heal the pain. It may be a little dramatic, but the power behind the vocals manages to convey an earnest sense of yearning for the missing lover.
According to the bridge, the narrator’s lover is “the reason I live,” “the reason I die” and “the reason I cry,” elevating her to the ethereal status of an angel. Aerosmith’s “Angel” puts the subject on a pedestal as the one thing that can end their suffering.
I always love to hear a song that’s giving a woman so much credit, and I love it even more when I hear two songs doing that. However, Aerosmith’s song seems to be asking what the angel can do for them, while Shaggy and Rayvon simply pour out praise for their angel as she is. After all, the real angels are the people who stick by our side when the going gets tough.
Winner: Shaggy and Rayvon