Angel by Eurythmics

Album: We Too Are One (1990)

Charted: 23

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In December 1988, Annie Lennox' first pregnancy with her second husband, the filmmaker Uri Fruchtman, resulted in a son Daniel, who was tragically stillborn. This song was inspired by Daniel, and also Lennox' great-aunt, who died at age 57. In Q magazine, she explained:

"'Angel' is sometimes hard for me to sing. It started off as a poem about a great-aunt who had died:

Underneath this canopy of snow
57 winters took their toll

I was fascinated by death. I thought of this concept of a burial place where seasons take their toll - snow covers the grave spot, leaves fall and buds come up - and this woman from my childhood.

The song turned into something else after the death of my first child. But it's about death generally - I will die; we will all die. Where do we find meaning in our lives?"

Lennox and Fruchtman went on to have two girls, Lola and Tali.
In 1997 Annie Lennox re-recorded this for the Diana, Princess of Wales tribute album.
The music video, directed by Sophie Muller, was not shown by MTV because of several scenes depicting the occult. In the video, spirits from beyond the grave are seen speaking through Annie Lennox.

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Comments: 6

Falcon from CaliforniaI remember Annie mentioning in an interview shortly after this song was released as a single that it refers to her aunt, who committed suicide at age 57. Check the lyrics and you'll see that the song refers to a 57 year old woman killing herself, without specifying who it was.
Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesIt would help if songfacts would get their video clips straight.
Gappie from Groningen, NetherlandsI see some of you guys mix up "Angel" and "There must be an angel (playing with my heart)". Both are completely different songs. "There must be an angel (playing with my heart)" is from 1985 and is with Stevie Wonder indeed. This song is from the album "Be yourself tonight". "Angel" is from 1989 from the album "We too are one".
Edward Pearce from Ashford, Kent, EnglandIt was actually on the similarly titled "There Must Be An Angel (Playin' With My Heart)" that Steve Wonder played a harmonica solo.
Michael from Cologne, GermanyStevie Wonder played the fantastic harp solo on this.
Dave from Cardiff, WalesThis was the Eurythmics last hit in Britain until their 1999 comeback

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