Angels
Producers
I sit and wait
Does an angel contemplate my fate?
And do they know the places where we go
When we're grey and old?
'Cause I've been told
That salvation lets their wings unfold
So when I'm lying in my bed
Thoughts running through my head
And I feel that love is dead
I'm lovin' angels instead
[Chorus]
And through it all
She offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call
She won't forsake me
I'm lovin' angels instead
[Verse 2]
When I'm feeling weak
And my pain walks down a one-way street
I look above
And I know I'll always be blessed with love
And as the feeling grows
She breathes flesh to my bones
And when love is dead
I'm lovin' angels instead
And through it all
She offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call
She won't forsake me
I'm lovin' angels instead
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
And through it all
She offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call
She won't forsake me
I'm lovin' angels instead
About
Robbie Williams’s signature song, a number one hit that saved what had, until that point, been a stuttering start to his solo career.
In 1995, Irish singer/songwriter Ray Heffernan randomly ran into Williams in a pub. They talked music and eventually Heffernan showed Williams a song he’d been writing called “An Angel Instead”. They worked on it together and recorded a demo.
In 1997, when Heffernan found out that “Angels” was to be a part of Williams' upcoming album, he got back in contact. Williams' people then offered Heffernan £7,500 to renounce any rights to the song, which he accepted.
On a UK CD2 single for the song, there is a note: Even Fallen Angels Laugh Last -
Thanks to Raymond Heffernan
Williams has stated that he is the primary artist behind the song, not Guy Chambers, the professional songwriter. Chambers agrees, stating:
In the main he was responsible for the lyrics and melody, and I did the music. It was very equal. Rob knew exactly what he wanted to say, and how he wanted to say it.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.Shame
- 2.Heart and I
- 3.Morning Sun
- 4.You Know Me
- 5.Bodies
- 7.Lovelight
- 8.Rudebox
- 9.Sin Sin Sin
- 11.Make Me Pure
- 12.Tripping
- 13.Misunderstood
- 14.Radio
- 15.Sexed Up
- 17.Come Undone
- 18.Feel
- 19.Mr. Bojangles
- 21.Somethin’ Stupid
- 23.Eternity
- 25.Supreme
- 27.Rock DJ
- 28.It’s Only Us
- 29.She’s the One
- 30.Strong
- 31.No Regrets
- 32.Millennium
- 34.Angels
- 36.Lazy Days
- 37.Old Before I Die
- 38.Freedom
- 40.Long Walk Home
- 41.Dogs & Birds
- 43.The Queen
- 44.Often
- 45.Karaoke Star
- 46.Toxic
- 47.My Culture
- 48.Nobody Someday
- 50.One Fine Day
- 52.Do Me Now
- 53.The Postcard
- 54.Meet the Stars
- 56.Don’t Say No
- 57.Lonestar Rising
- 58.Lola
- 60.Elastik
