"Angels" is a song written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, originally performed by Williams, and covered by Jessica Simpson, Mexican singer Yuridia, singer Beverley Knight, in Italian (as Un Angelo) by Patrizio Buanne, All Angels, singer Declan Galbraith as well as Verena Von Strenge's latest group, Moon Dust, and American Idol Contestant David Archuleta. The original recording by Williams proved to be his greatest commercial success, being certified 2x Platinum in the United Kingdom and selling 28 million worldwide.

In October 2006 the RTE documentary This Note's For You, presented by Tom Dunne, said that the song was originally co-written by Williams and Irish singer Ray Heffernan. After the song was polished by Guy Chambers, Heffernan was offered and accepted £7,500 for his rights.

"Angels" was the fourth single from Robbie Williams' debut album, Life Thru a Lens. It has been credited with saving the singer's solo career, and is used to conclude almost all of his concerts.

At the 2005 BRIT Awards, "Angels" was voted by the British public the best song in the past twenty-five years of British music, though it had only reached number four on the singles chart. Williams performed the song live with Joss Stone then. In a survey by UK digital TV station Music Choice, it even came in at number one as the song people would most like played at their funeral.

It was released in 1999 in the U.S., after his debut of "Millennium." The U.S. released video has Williams atop a roof, watching the city below. On 12 April, 2008 it was at 1 on the U.S. iTunes primarily due to the performance of the song by David Archuleta on American Idol earlier that week. After an 8 year absence on the chart, "Angels" re entered the ARIA Top 100 at 91, on May 5 2008.

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Angels".

UK CD1
(Released December 1, 1997)

1. "Angels" - 4:25
2. "Back For Good" [Live] - 2:19
3. "Walk This Sleigh" - 3:01

UK CD2
(Released December 1, 1997)

1. "Angels" - 4:25
2. "Back For Good" [Live] - 2:19
3. "Angels" [Acoustic Version] - 4:28
4. "South Of The Border" [Mother's Milkin' It Mix] - 7:09
5. "Angels" Enhanced Video

UK Limited Edition Postcard Pack
(Released December 1, 1997)

1. "Angels" [Acoustic Version] - 4:28
2. "Get The Joke" - 2:57
3. "Angels" - 4:25
4. "Karaoke Overkill" - 3:26

Charts

Chart (1997)	Peak Position
UK Singles Chart	4
Chart (1998)	Peak Position
Swiss Singles Chart	4
French Singles Chart	7
German Singles Chart	9
Argentine Singles Chart	10
Austrian Singles Chart	12
Mexican Singles Chart	13
Swedish Singles Chart	13
Dutch Singles Chart	14
Australian Singles Chart	40
Chart (1999)	Peak Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	41
U.S. Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	10
U.S. Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks	21
Chart (2008)	Peak
U.S. iTunes Top 100	1
Canada Top Digital	40

Certifications

Country	Certification (If Any)	Sales/shipments
United Kingdom	2x Platinum	2 Million+

Cover versions

Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson's cover of "Angels" was the fourth and final single released from the album In This Skin in 2004. It was produced by billymann.

The video for "Angels" is relatively low key. It opens a visibly anxious Simpson on an empty stage rehearsing for a performance. She can be seen in intercut scenes staring into space, as if she has lost her self-confidence and ability to perform. As the song progresses, however, white roses can be seen scattered around her as a sign of hope, and soon Simpson begins to regain her confidence. The song then shifts into its instrumental bridge to correlate with the emotions of the characters, as Simpson proceeds to climb to the top of the building for her final performance. There she is greeted by a youth orchestra, and finishes the song. The video spent a total of 13 days on the TRL countdown. peaking at #6

Simpson's version of "Angels" performed relatively poorly as the track failed to break into the Billboard Hot 100 (though it did reach number six on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles) However, the song did become a moderate success on the Top 40 Mainstream and Hot Digital Tracks. Jessica and Joe Simpson, her father and manager, had hoped this song would lead to Jessica's first Grammy Nomination, as Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera, her 1990's rivals, had each been already been nominated as well as winning. The song's downloads were not allowed to help it. Despite this relative failure, the single was featured on Now That's What I Call Music! Volume 17 in the US.

Track listing

1. "Angels"
2. "Angels" (Stealth Remix)
3. "Fly" (B-side)
4. "Angels" (Enhanced Video)

Remixes and other versions

• "Angels" [Album Version] - 4:00
• "Angels" [Dave Anthony Remix] - 4:53
• "Angels" [Junior Vasquez World Mixshow] - 6:32
• "Angels" [Stealth Remix] - 3:12
• "Angels" [Acoustic] - 4:07

Chart (2004)	Position
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles	6
U.S. Top 40 Tracks	37
U.S. Top 40 Mainstream	23
Australian ARIA Singles Chart	27
México Top 100 Singles Chart	10

Yuridia

In 2005, Yuridia, former contestant of the popular Mexican show La Academia, released "Ángel", a Spanish version of the song which she had interpreted during her stay in the reality show), as her debut single. In her native Mexico, as well as in other parts of Latin America, "Ángel", became an instant hit. "Ángel" and Yuridia's CD La Voz de un Ángel ("The Voice of an Angel"), reached number one in Mexico after just a couple of weeks. The song was also very successful in Central America, as it reached the top 10 in El Salvador and Guatemala and became a top 20 hit in Costa Rica and Honduras. In the U.S., the song was also very successful, considering that the channel Yuridia is promoted by is small and overshadowed by Univision and Telemundo. "Ángel" went on to reach 32 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and La Voz de un Angel managed to climb into the top 20 on the Billboard Hot Latin Albums chart, peaking at 16.

In El Salvador, Angel managed to climb to the top of the charts and stayed at number 1 for 9 weeks, the year's longest run.

Chart 2005	Position
México Top 100 Singles Chart	1
Mexico Digital Single Sales	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Songs	32
Latin America Top 40	9
Latin America Top Latin Tracks	10
World Spanish Top 40	10

Beverley Knight

In March 2006, British soul singer Beverley Knight recorded a live gospel version of "Angels". The track, performed live on BBC Radio 2 with musician Guy Chambers, was included on her Voice - The Best Of Beverley Knight album. The inclusion came after Knight performed the song at the Live 8 concerts in July 2005.

All Angels

In December 2006, British classical crossover group All Angels released a cover version of Angels, with a classical touch to the song. Bookmakers put odds of 7-1 on them for getting a UK Christmas number-one single with their cover.

The single is the first ever Christmas single to be released in association with the Royal British Legion and their Poppy Appeal. Incidentally All Angels performed at the Festival of Remembrance (2006).

Track listing

CD Single

1. "Angels" - 3:18
2. "Silent Night" - 3:14
3. "Fly" - 3:45

References

External links

• Video of Angels, performed by Robbie Williams
• Music Video of Angels, performed by Jessica Simpson
• BBC Radio 2: Sold On Song on Angels
• BBC news article on the funeral choice of music