City of Angels

Album: Signs of Light (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Head and the Heart had struggled for ages to lay down on disc this ode to Los Angeles in a satisfactory manner. It was producer Jay Joyce's insistence on doing a live take that proved to be the breakthrough. "Jay was really adamant about getting a great performance," co-vocalist Jonathan Russell said. "We have all the tools in the world to make something sound real or more excitable, but it's never really as true as the band in the room for the whole take. 'City Of Angels' - we had previously re-cut that song and played it so many times. But within two takes in Nashville, we nailed it. It felt like we were playing on a massive stage in front of tons of people."
  • The song finds Jonathan Russell comparing Los Angeles to the small town where he'd grown up in Virginia and the experience of trying to make new friends while living in a remote corner of the city. "And, it was also me hinting at trying to see someone who lived in LA and it not coming to fruition so I got a lot of love in this town but it never seems to stay and never seems to grow," he recounted to Radio.com.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.