I Saw an Angel Die explained

I Saw an Angel Die
Cover:ISawAnAngelDie.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:Bobbie Gentry
Album:Ode to Billie Joe
B-Side:Papa, Woncha Let Me Go to Town with You
Released:September 11, 1967
Recorded:1967
Studio:[1]
Genre:Country
Length:2:56
Label:Capitol
Producer:Kelly Gordon
Prev Title:Ode to Billie Joe
Prev Year:1967
Next Title:Mississippi Delta
Next Year:1967

"I Saw an Angel Die" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry. It was released on September 11, 1967, as the second single from her debut album Ode to Billie Joe. The song was produced by Kelly Gordon and features a string arrangement by Jimmie Haskell.

Commercial performance

The single was released in September 1967 following the success of Gentry's debut single "Ode to Billie Joe". Surprisingly, the single failed to chart.[2]

Track listing

  1. I Saw an Angel Die (Bobbie Gentry) – 2:56
  2. Papa, Woncha Let Me Go to Town with You (Gentry) – 2:30

Personnel

Adapted from the single liner notes.

Covers

The song was covered by singer/actress Lainie Kazan, and appeared on her album Love Is Lainie, as the last track on Side One (MGM SE-4496).[4] For the recording, conductor/arranger Bob Florence created a radically different jazz/showtune arrangement for the song, because that was the style of music Lainie specialized in. Also, the song's title was modified slightly: instead of "I Saw An Angel Die", it was shortened slightly to "An Angel Died". The album was released in 1968.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Murtha . Tara . Ode to Billie Joe . 2015 . Blumsbury . New York . 978-1-6235-6964-8 . 58.
  2. Web site: Bobbie Gentry: Mississippi Musician, Television Personality, and Singer/Songwriter . www.mswritersandmusicians.com . February 7, 2020.
  3. Web site: Bobbie Gentry - I Saw An Angel Die . 45cat.com . February 7, 2020.
  4. https://www.discogs.com/sell/item/2640061752?ev=bp_img/ "Love Is Lainie - Lainie Kazan album", discogs.com