Angel (Massive Attack song) explained

Angel
Cover:Angelmassiveattack.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Massive Attack
Album:Mezzanine
B-Side:"Group Four" (Remix)
Released:13 July 1998
Recorded:1997–98
Studio:Massive Attack Studios and Christchurch Studios
Length:6:19 (album version)
5:24 (single version)
Prev Title:Teardrop
Prev Year:1998
Next Title:Inertia Creeps
Next Year:1998

"Angel" is a song by English trip hop group Massive Attack, featuring the vocals and songwriting from Horace Andy, and is partially based on Andy's song "You Are My Angel". It was released as the third single from their third studio album, Mezzanine (1998), on 13 July 1998.[1] "Angel" peaked at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart.

Background and composition

Daddy G, who was the main songwriter on it (along with 3D), described the song as "[starting] something we've got to finish. It was a much bigger thing than any member of the band." The song samples The Incredible Bongo Band song "Last Bongo in Belgium".

Music video

The music video for "Angel", directed by Walter A. Stern and filmed at the Metropolitan Car Park & Old Goods Yard at Paddington, London across three nights, features Daddy G in a car park. He is walking to the exit when 3D, Mushroom and Horace Andy appear behind him. They gradually get closer to him, causing him to feel intimidated. More and more people start following him, which causes him to run outside the car park until he reaches a fence and therefore cannot go any further. As he turns to face the people chasing him, they stop and face him. He then notices that they seem to be mirroring his movements, as if his body controls them. He suddenly charges towards the people that followed him, which causes them to run away.[2]

An edited version of "Angel" is used for the video reducing the length of the video to nearly a minute shorter than the album version. This edit does not appear on any other release besides the video.

Neil Davidge also appears in this video as one of the angry mob chasing Daddy G.

At the time of the single release of "Angel", the band decided (for cited reasons as not capturing the mood of the song) to not use the already shot promo video for "Angel" (which had reputably cost £20,000 to shoot) to promote the single. For this reason the video would remain unseen for over three years where it would finally was released on the Eleven Promos DVD in 2001.[3]

The video has had over 54 million views on YouTube (as of January 2024).

Critical reception

Reception for the song was positive. Amy Hanson of AllMusic describes the song thus: "While the beat here is slow, druggy, and deep, what ultimately drives Angel is the wall of guitars that are reminiscent of a very early Cure".[4]

Personnel

Massive Attack

Additional personnel

Recording personnel

In popular culture

Charts

Chart (1998)Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[12] 129
New Zealand Singles Chart[13] 33
UK Singles Chart[14] 30

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Angel Massive Attack (single review) . . 7 July 2013 . Whalley, Matt.
  2. Web site: Angel . Massive Attack . 6 March 2009 . Video . YouTube . 26 August 2016.
  3. Web site: Info→Angel . 8 April 2021 .
  4. Web site: Angel – Massive Attack . . 7 July 2013 . Hanson, Amy.
  5. [Music of La Femme Nikita]
  6. Web site: 1998 Commercials: Adidas during World Cup . YouTube . 29 July 2014 . 19 February 2020.
  7. Web site: Fourth Season Music . bewarne.com . 3 February 2018.
  8. Web site: VtM Bloodlines OST – Main Theme. youtube.com. 3 July 2008 .
  9. Web site: Far Cry 2 E3 2008 Trailer. youtube.com. Ubisoft.
  10. Web site: Stay (2005) Soundtrack. IMDB.com . 2 November 2014.
  11. Web site: Roorback/Special Edition: Sepultura: MP3 Downloads . Amazon . 10 August 2013.
  12. Web site: Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 12 July 2016. Imgur.com. 12 July 2016.
  13. Web site: Discography Massive Attack . charts.nz . Hung Medien . 29 November 2012.
  14. Web site: Massive Attack . . 29 November 2012.

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