Angels (Robbie Williams song)

In 2011, Robbie Williams said he wrote "Angels" with collaborator Guy Chambers in 25 minutes about his aunt and uncle. By his account, he and Chambers were sitting outside a cafe watching a water fountain, which inspired them to write the chorus.[3] In 2016, Williams said: "It was the first of our songs that we wrote together. We could tell and hoped and prayed that we got something incredibly special. After we wrote the song ... I hailed a cab down. [The taxi driver] played it and said 'that is great, that is, Robbie, 'that is gonna be number one', and you know what: it never was number one."[4] Williams expressed irritation that some assumed Chambers was the sole author.[5]

Irish singer-songwriter Ray Heffernan asserts that he wrote the first version of "Angels" in Paris in 1996, after his partner had a miscarriage.[6] According to Heffernan, he met Williams in a pub by chance in Dublin. He showed him an incomplete version of the song, and that week the two recorded a studio demo.[7] Williams confirmed that he had recorded a demo with Heffernan but said he rewrote the song significantly with Chambers.[8]

Heffernan accepted an offer from Williams's management to buy the song rights for £7,500.[7] He is thanked in the UK CD2 single liner notes.[9] Williams said: "We could have gone to court, and it all would have been down to whether what way the judge wakes up that day out of bed ... So I gave him some money, and he went away."[8] In 2011, Heffernan said: "For a long time, I was angry about this, but as you get older you see things differently ... the 'Angels' connection has opened doors to publishing companies and earned me a few quid."[7]

Aberdeen Press and Journal stated that "Angels" is "perhaps the strongest cut" from the Life thru a Lens album.[10] John Bush from AllMusic noted Williams' "crooning" on the ballad.[11] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "sweet ballad that never gets sappy". He noted that the production is "first-rate, the lyric is thoughtful and ear-grabbing, and his smoky, crisp vocal is a sheer delight. All that and a chorus to kill for."[12] Daily Record wrote, "The ex-Take That star shows he has come of age with this melodic pop ballad."[13] They also added, "Surprisingly grown-up sounding Robbie on what is his best tune to date."[14] Irish Independent called it an "epic ballad".[15] Music & Media commented that "with songs of the quality of Angels, Robbie Williams is on his way towards extending his audience by drawing in older listeners." They also added that it "distinguishes itself from its indie rock inspired predecessors 'Old Before I Die' and 'Lazy Days' by exchanging their guitars for a more mellow, piano-based arrangement."[16] Dave Fawbert from ShortList called it a "genuinely brilliant song", adding that it has "a pretty understated vocal from Robbie. Nothing too over the top, just sincere."[17] In 2003, Q ranked "Angels" at number 237 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever".[18]

"Angels" was the 38th-bestselling single of 1997 in the UK, and the 26th of 1998. It was the 34th-bestselling single of the decade. Despite only reaching a peak of No. 4, it is Williams' bestselling UK single and according to Official UK Charts Company figures passed the million sales mark in June 2009, with a combination of both physical and download sales. It has sold 1.2 million copies in the UK as of November 2012.[19] It was released in 1999 in the US, after Williams' debut there with "Millennium". "Angels" re-entered the ARIA Top 100 at #91, on 5 May 2008.[20]

The video for "Angels" was directed by Vaughan Arnell,[21] and filmed at Saunton Sands. Filmed largely from the air, Williams walks around a beach, stares at the sky, kicks a football and rides a motorbike with a woman while a helicopter flies around them.[22]

In November 2013, English singer-songwriter Olly Murs released a music video promoting his song "Hand on Heart", imitating the video to "Angels". Also directed by Arnell, and shot in black-and-white, the video featured a cameo appearance by Williams. He said: "Imitation is the highest form of flattery. I am easily flattered, and I love Olly. We always have a good time together and this was no exception."[21]

At the 2005 BRIT Awards, "Angels" was voted by the British public the best song in the past 25 years of British music, though it had only reached number four on the singles chart. Williams performed the song live with Joss Stone then. In a survey by UK digital TV station Music Choice, Britons chose it as the song they would most like played at their funeral.[23]

Williams and Russian soprano Aida Garifullina performing “Angels” at the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Moscow, Russia

In 2009, Williams performed "Angels" at the final of the sixth series of The X Factor with Olly Murs. On 14 June 2018, Williams performed "Angels" with Russian soprano Aida Garifullina at the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.[24] On 23 June 2018, Williams performed the song as a special guest at American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour concert at Wembley Stadium in London.[25]

UK CD1

1. "Angels" – 4:24
2. "Back for Good" (live) – 3:59
3. "Walk This Sleigh" – 3:01

UK CD2

1. "Angels" – 4:24
2. "Karaoke Overkill" – 3:31
3. "Get the Joke" – 3:03
4. "Angels" (acoustic version) – 4:27[26]

• BBC Radio 2: Sold On Song on Angels
• BBC news article on the funeral choice of music
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics