Album: Yonder Mountain String Band (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • One of the most popular YMSB songs, "Angel" is about a guy who is addled by heartbreak, wondering if his girl will come back to him (unlikely), and knowing that if she doesn't the Devil will get him.

    The song came together very quickly in a group collaboration. In our interview with banjo player Dave Johnston, he explained: "We had the chorus, 'Are you gonna be my angel?', but we didn't know what to do with that. And then Tom [Rothrock] added that one other line, 'The devil's never going to let me save my poor soul,' and we were like, 'Good! It's done!' It's one of those things where as you went through it, it was almost like a crossword puzzle, where the solution pops up as you go along."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top Proverb

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top ProverbSong Writing

How a country weeper and a blues number made "rolling stone" the most popular phrase in rock.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.