Robbie Williams’ “Angels” Lyrics Meaning
As the title suggests, the theme of this song is supernatural in nature. Robbie Williams sings of certain “angels” whom he is personally associated with. These are mysterious beings, and as such certain things about them are unknown.
For instance, at the beginning of the track the singer seems to question their overall role in his life. He wonders if they know his future. And overall he depicts them as entities who have the power of “salvation” in their grasp.
But perhaps the most important sentiment expressed is that when Robbie is depressed, he receives the needed affection by “loving angels instead” of people, whom apparently aren’t giving him the love he needs. This would perhaps be the part of the song that most blatantly alludes to the idea of him dealing with these figures on a personal, perhaps you could even say intimate, basis.
This point is expounded on into the second verse and in the chorus. In the second verse, a particular angel is depicted as always being close to the singer. Or more to the point when he is feeling down he can “look above”, sense that the angel is near and be reminded that he is “blessed with love”. So once again an angel is portrayed as a being who helps him overcome depression.
Chorus
Indeed in the chorus, the angel is shown as an entity who loves Robbie ‘whether he’s right or wrong’. And in addition to “a lot of love and affections”, this being ‘offers him protection through it all’. So once again, we are made privy to the idea that the angel is committed to the narrator, indeed being faithful even – or let’s say especially – during times of need. For whenever the singer ‘comes to call’, the angel ‘won’t forsake him’.
Angel is Female
And it should be noted that the angel is also depicted as a female. This becomes important because one of the common understandings of this track is that it is a dedication to Robbie Williams’ mom, as mothers are the type of people who often show the same kind of undying dedication as the angel in this song.
Robbie Williams explains the meaning of “Angels”
However, as recently as 2019, Robbie Williams has asserted that this track “is about actual angels”, not his mother or any living person for that matter. He went on to later confess that when he was a boy he “used to talk to dead people”. Indeed it seems, according to this own accounts, that paranormal encounters have occurred at numerous times throughout Robbie’s life.
So based on that premise it seems that the angels in this song are people that have passed away, i.e. spirits. And these beings not only established a relationship with the singer but also took it upon themselves to protect him from harm and cheer him up when he was feeling low.
Music Video
The music video to Williams’ “Angels” had Vaughan Arnell as its director.
Did Robbie Williams write “Angels”?
Yes. Robbie Williams penned this song in conjunction with two other songwriters: Ray Heffernan and Guy Chambers. In fact Robbie acknowledged it as the first song he’s ever written.
This is also somewhat important to the meaning of the song, as apparently it has changed throughout time. For instance, according to reports, it was originally conceptualized as an ode to Williams’ aunt and uncle. Meanwhile Heffernan has claimed that not only did he originate the tune but that he did so after the woman who was pregnant with his child had a miscarriage. Indeed Williams and Heffernan appear to have gotten into some beef concerning the authorship of this song. But the latter signed an agreement where he sold the rights to “Angels” to Robbie Williams for £7,500. That may have seemed like a good deal at the time, as Heffernan was under the impression that it would never be released as a single.
But ultimately that amount pales in comparison to what he would have earned in royalties if he hadn’t signed the agreement. And whereas this had him bitter “for a long time”, eventually he made peace with the reality of the situation.
Release Date of “Angels”
“Angels” was originally featured on Robbie Williams maiden album, “Life thru a Lens”. And Chrysalis Records released it as the fourth single from that project on 1 December 1997.
A Breakout Tune
This is considered to be Williams’ breakout tune and over 20 years later still serves as the signature song of his career. “Angels” charted in over 15 countries.
And while it didn’t top the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number four, it was one of best-selling songs in Robbie Williams’ homeland during the entire 1990s. In fact in at the 2005 BRIT Awards, the British public deemed “Angels” to be the best song of the last 25 years in their country. And accordingly the track has been certified double-Platinum in the UK.
Covers of “Angels”
“Angels” has been covered by artists from around the world. And one of the most-notable renditions is the one American singer Jessica Simpson dropped in 2004. This was reportedly in an attempt to introduce the hit to a US-based audience which had given the original a lukewarm reception, as Robbie’s version only managed to reach number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Notable Live Performances of “Angels”
Robbie Williams performed “Angels” in Moscow, in conjunction with Russian opera singer Aida Garifullina, at the opening ceremony of the 2018 FIFA World Cup which was held in Russia.
Another notable performance of “Angels” took place in June 2018 at London’s Wembley Stadium. During that event, Robbie Williams joined Taylor Swift on stage to perform a really emotional version of “Angels”. Many praised that performance as one of the best live renditions of “Angels”.
“Angels” is a Popular Funeral Song in the UK
Interesting to note is that in 2005, Britons voted this track as being their “favorite funeral song”, i.e. the tune they would most like to be played at their own funerals.
