Juice Newton’s “Angel of the Morning” Lyrics Meaning
Although the lyrics of Juice Newton’s “Angel of the Morning” are very symbolic and open-ended, the general consensus is that it is centered on a love affair the singer is in. That is to say that she is romantically involved with someone she should not be. More specifically, it is a tale of premarital intimate affair from the relatively-puritan days of the 1960s. And from the onset, we can see that it is not an easy relationship. That is to say that Juice seems to be operating under the impression that it can end at any time.
But as for her personally, she is committed, even reminding her partner that it was she who initiated the relationship. Indeed she even tells him that if public opinion turns against their union, that is “what (she) wanted”. Also she lets this individual know that she is not trying to ensnare him but is counting on her “love” to also keep him committed.
Chorus
This brings us to the chorus and title of the song, with Newton stating to her lover that she is his “angel of the morning”. This statement reads as if it is in the least an expression of strong affection. Indeed you can tell how much she loves her partner since she also refers to him as her “angel”. And given that, due to the illicitness of their relationship, their time together is limited, she entreats him to ‘touch her cheek before he leaves her’. This likely symbolizes her asking for one last show of affection before they have to temporarily part ways. For her desire is to be with him in a serious, long-term relationship, though she does not seem to believe that such will actually transpire.
That, once again, is what the song is generally considered to be about. Even the singer it was first offered to, Connie Francis, turned it down due to its obviously illicit nature (again during the 1960’s). However Chip Taylor, the writer of the song, has also stated that its lyrics “flowed out” of him during what he describes to be basically a 20-minute supernatural experience. So to some extent, even he does not seem to truly understand what they mean in their entirety.
Writing Credits for “Angel of the Morning”
“Angel of the Morning” was written by Chip Taylor, who also happens to be the uncle of actress Angelina Jolie. He penned this classic in 1966. In fact an earlier version of “Angel of the Morning” was featured on the soundtrack of Jolie’s breakthrough film “Girl, Interrupted” (1999).
Cover Versions of “Angel of the Morning”
Various artists, including Chip Taylor himself, had recorded versions of this song before and after Juice Newton did in 1981. But her version proved to be the most-successful, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and also breaking the top 10 of the record charts in many countries. Some of these countries included Australia, Austria, New Zealand South Africa, Switzerland. In Canada, it actually topped the charts.
And as far as how it fared across the pond, “Angel of the Morning” peaked at number 43 on the UK Singles Chart.
Grammy Nomination
“Angel of the Morning” was nominated in the category of Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. This was at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards in 1981.
MTV History
“Angel of the Morning” holds the distinction of being the first ever country-music video MTV aired. This occurred on the day the network was launched, 1 August 1981.
When was “Angel of the Morning” released?
Juice Newton’s version of the song was officially released by Capitol Records during February of 1981. It was the lead single off of her third album tilted “Juice”.
Usage in “Deadpool”
This song experienced a resurgence, which Juice Newton expressed appreciation for, in 2016 after being featured during the opening scene of the hit action movie “Deadpool”.
“Angel of the Morning” was used in “Deadpool” at the request of its star, Ryan Reynolds.
Haven’t you noticed that Shaggy’s song “Angel” sounds very similar to “Angel of the Morning”?
Yes, we have. Shaggy’s hit 2001 single “Angel” sounds very identical to Newton’s “Angel of the Morning”. And this is because Shaggy sampled this classic by Newton on his “Angel”.
Having just now discovered this post and read the explanations about the meaning in the lyrics, I am very much questioning my own interpretation as to what I always considered the hidden meaning of the song.
Until now I had always thought this song very bravely tackled the dark topic of child abuse, relating the tragic story of a young child caught up in this dreadful situation. I felt it is not a song about the act itself but about the desperate plight of this young girl to reason away the loneliness and deprivation of being loved. I see a young girl, still underaged, caught in the company of older men as a way of life.
How it all started is for the imagination but all she desires is to be loved for who she is and not for her body.
I hear in her voice the realisation of her impending rejection as she once again assuages any feelings of guilt or responsibility the stranger has . . . “No strings to bind your hands” . . . “It was I who chose to start” . . . “I see no need to take me home” . . . all the while hoping there is some flicker of genuine love and hopes he will “Just touch my cheek before you leave me” . . . “Before you slowly turn away . . . from me”.
This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and one which makes me sad for the little girl every time I hear it.
Whether I am right or wrong, I will always sadly remember it my way.
Sex without commitment but it lies on her conscience and deep inside she wants to feel loved
Angel of the morning meaning
What if she was married to her soulmate for 15 years, but then passes away. Her lover cannot accept that she is gone so she comes back from heaven because she cannot stop loving her soulmate either. She realizes that the relationship cannot last because she is a spirit. She says there will be no strings to bind your hands meaning that she cannot touch him except in his dreams. There will be no need to stand meaning that he can only see her in his dreams while lying in bed.
She choose to start visiting him in his dreams. Dreams so real that one could not distinguish them from reality. But she only has love to bind his heart as she is not a real human and can only offer pure perfect love. She cannot ever touch him or talk to him in the real world or do anything that humans take for granted.
There is no need to take her home because she cannot go to his home again. When she says she is old enough to face the dawn she realizes that in the dawn he will awake and not be able to see her in the real world.
When she says just call me angel in the morning she really is an angel and the morning is when he most remembers his wife from his nights dreaming. When she says touch my cheek before you leave me she is referring to a picture from her funeral on his nightstand. Then she says slowly turn away from me because she is selfless and does not want him living with this sadness of him not being able to touch her forever even though he wants her to stay forever because he cannot stop loving her.
When she says maybe the suns light will be dim she is referring to God. God does not allow relationships between angels and people that are still living because of reasons that only God knows. But if one knew what God knew then they would agree that this was the best solution. If the morning echoes say we have sinned she is referring to other angels whispering about the relationship. When she says blinded by the light she is referring to God coming to say why the relationship cannot continue. God’s light is brighter than the sun and cannot be looked upon. Even angels cannot stare at God for more than a few seconds without being blinded. She cannot beg him to stay because she is afraid he will not be happy with her only in his dreams.
Through the tears is all the tears that he has cried for her to come back every day for years until she finally could not hold out any longer and finally come back to answer his prayers of seeing her in his dreams. But she knows that he wants something impossible. He wants her to come back as a real human, but she realizes that she cannot ever come back and this makes her sad because she knows that he cannot accept this. So she sings the most beautiful song ever sung by human or angel to leave him as a gift to remember her by. And even God cries.
Wow I like this interpretation and tend to lean to these thoughts as well.
absolutely beautiful..
A perfect interpretation. I see the angel being my daughter and myself being the living human
Sad Philosopher
You have nailed it!!
One additional thought: “And if we’re victims of the night”—-I always imagined that meant that if a pregnancy occurred as a result of this affair, she wouldn’t expect him to stick around. It’s a beautiful, if haunting, song from my teen years and I always enjoy hearing Merilee Rush’s rendition.
A lesibian relationship?
😂
😂🤣
It’s a song from a country singer. So you know it’s about someone who cheated or getting cheated on.
That’s nonsense. Merrilee Rush, who made this song famous long before Juice Newton’s cover version, is not a country singer.
I always took it as a homage to Lady Chatterley’s Lover. A lot of similar themes.
Just watched Promising Young Woman where the song is played at the end. It got me thinking the lyrics represent a one night stand. “And if we are victims of the night” usually drunk at a bar or club””no strings to bind your hand” a love affair with “no strings attached” is insisted. “I see no need to take me home” suggesting the love affair is promiscuous and forbidden but consensual. All the markings of a one night stand. Just touch my cheek before you leave so I know you have left the house in morning.
I agree with your interpretation about a one-night stand, as a passionate experience for which the singer does not feel guilt. People are reading too much into it.
I personally always thought this to be the sad tale of a sex worker who was killed by her John… never to see the bright light of dawn again. I can see the one night stand however and feel better about liking the song as much as I do – weird
Lucifer is the Angel of the Morning , a fallen Angel , referred to as the Morning Star …. now read the lyrics again …..
There were few songs about Lucifer in 1968 which is when the song was written. Merrilee Rush, the original singer, was not singing about being Lucifer, either.
It always struck me as a song about a woman desperate for love who engages in a one night stand and then has to watch as her temporary lover walks away the next morning, leaving her alone again.
Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner
I see it as; A woman who had an affair, her husband seems to be straying now, and she takes the blame, “chose to start,) hoping her love will still bind him to her in the end.
OR…
An illicit rekindling by her of a long past relationship and-even though he is married now-hoping that her continued “love” can eventually “bind” his heart.
I’m old enough to face the dawn, walking home in the morning after a one night stand,or the walk of shame as it was called in Ireland
You state as if it were an obscure fact that an earlier version exists. But you give prominence to calling this song “Juice Newton’s”, when in fact her cover version is not the one that made the song famous. The singer who did that was Merrilee Rush.
I’m pretty sure this song is another rock n roll tribute to the Son of The Mourning Star himself ,Santan actually Lucifer,satan means adversary while as Lucifer refers to light or bearing light or knowledge!Like being lucid or clear as day! Just call me angle of the mourning,its not like its beating around any bushes here! just my opinion,no im no heavy bible baby,just a guy who reads too much!!
Omg folks like you give the church a bad rep. Please people don’t let him be an attorney sample of Christianity; his Bible interpretation is so off that it’s pathetic. I hope he doesn’t believe mental illness is demonic too or that there’s witches to burn
Not a chance.
The songwriter himself says he doesn’t know what it means, he wrote it in 20 minutes. Had it been a song about Lucifer, he’d have said it was about Satan.
Not a mention of Merrilee Rush at all, geez
I thought it was about a prostitute
I always thought he was married and having to return to his wife in the morning.