Angels (Don't Always Have Wings) Explained

Angels (Don't Always Have Wings)
Cover:Thomas Rhett - Angels Don't Always Have Wings.png
Type:single
Artist:Thomas Rhett
Album:Where We Started
Genre:Country
Length:
  • 3:34 (album version)
  • 3:20 (single version)
Label:Big Machine
Prev Title:Half of Me
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:Talking to Jesus
Next Year:2023

"Angels (Don't Always Have Wings)", originally known as just "Angels", is a song by American country music singer Thomas Rhett. It was released on January 23, 2023 as the third single from his sixth studio album Where We Started.

History

"Angels (Don't Always Have Wings)" was a co-write among Thomas Rhett, Josh Thompson, Julian Bunetta, and Teddy Swims. Rhett decided on writing a song about angels after reading a book on them, and came up with the title phrase "angels don't always have wings", which he thought could describe his wife. He presented the idea to Thompson, Swims, and Bunetta at a songwriting session. The four came up with a waltz melody to which they set the song's central idea. Lyrically, the song is about a "mess of a man" who describes his wife as an angel. Originally, Rhett had intended for Swims to sing the song, but after hearing the demo with Swims' vocals, decided to keep it for himself.[1]

Dann Huff produced the song's final recording. Rhett recorded the vocals at his home studio, compiling the final vocal track from nearly 70 takes due to him having difficulty singing falsetto and wanting to show "emotion". Bunetta then remixed Huff's production by changing the bass and drum lines while adding studio effects to the piano.[1]

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[2] 17
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3] 49

Notes and References

  1. Makin' Tracks: Thomas Rhett Makes Space in His Life (And Career) for 'Angels' . . February 15, 2023 . June 26, 2023 . Tom Roland.
  2. Country Airplay – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 22, 2023.
  3. Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 22, 2023.