Dive into the power ballad that showcased Great White's softer side and soared them to new heights.
The Song
"The Angel Song" is a poignant power ballad by American hard rock band Great White, released in 1989. It was the second single from their fourth studio album, ...Twice Shy. Co-written by guitarist Mark Kendall and manager Alan Niven, the track stands out with its soaring vocals, melodic guitar lines, and heartfelt lyrics that resonate with themes of loss, longing, and hope. The song describes a "fallen angel" experiencing pain and disappointment, urging them to look to a better future and leave behind the illusions of a harsh reality, particularly touching on the deceptive glamour of Hollywood.
The ballad allowed Great White to showcase a more emotional and introspective side, complementing the blues-infused hard rock sound they were known for. Its lyrical depth and Jack Russell's soulful delivery cemented its place as one of the band's most enduring and emotional tracks.
The Artist
Great White is an American hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1977. They rose to prominence in the mid-to-late 1980s, becoming a significant part of the vibrant L.A. rock scene. The band's classic lineup during their mainstream success included Jack Russell (vocals), Mark Kendall (guitar), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards), Tony Montana (bass), and Audie Desbrow (drums).
Known for their blues-based guitar riffs and powerful ballads, Great White released several platinum-selling albums, including Once Bitten (1987) and ...Twice Shy (1989). They achieved considerable airplay on radio and MTV, and sold an estimated eight million records worldwide.
Chart Performance
"The Angel Song" achieved significant commercial success, climbing to No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. This made it one of Great White's two Top 40 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100, alongside their cover of Ian Hunter's "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" which reached No. 5.
The success of "The Angel Song" contributed to the overall strength of its parent album, ...Twice Shy, which was certified Double Platinum in September 1989. The track's strong performance solidified Great White's presence on mainstream rock radio and MTV.
Cultural Impact
"The Angel Song" became one of Great White's signature power ballads and a fan favorite, often requested at live concerts. Its emotional resonance and widespread airplay on MTV helped define the sound of late 1980s hard rock and glam metal. The song showcased that hard rock bands could deliver powerful, introspective ballads just as effectively as high-energy anthems.
The music video received heavy rotation on MTV, further cementing the song's place in popular culture during the era. It remains a staple of '80s rock playlists and is frequently cited as one of the best ballads from the genre.
Fun Facts
- "The Angel Song" was produced and arranged by Alan Niven (the band's manager) and Michael Lardie (the band's guitarist/keyboardist).
- The music video for "The Angel Song" was directed by Nigel Dick, who also directed several other Great White videos including "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and "House of Broken Love".
- The album ...Twice Shy, which features "The Angel Song", was certified Double Platinum in September 1989 and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance.
- Lyrically, the song reflects on the often harsh reality of Hollywood, suggesting its glamour is merely a "trick of light."
- Some fans consider it one of the best power ballads of the 80s, praised for its balance of raw emotion and rock edge.