He was born Wesley Stace in Hastings, East Sussex, England. His given name, Wesley, comes from John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who preached one of his last sermons in the town where Harding was born.
His stage name may be seen as an almost inevitable nickname for a folk-pop musician, in that his first name overlaps with the Bob Dylan album (and song) "John Wesley Harding". The American gunfighting historical figure John Wesley Hardin was largely forgotten before 1965, when Johnny Cash wrote and recorded the song "Hardin Wouldn't Run".
His education included the boarding schools St. Andrews School (Pangbourne, Berkshire); Milbourne Lodge (Claygate, Surrey); The King's School (Canterbury, Kent); and university at Jesus College, Cambridge. He left Cambridge with a First in English Literature, but left before completing his Ph.d. in Social and Political Science.
Musical influences include Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Davies, and Phil Ochs. He has been frequently compared to Elvis Costello probably fueled, in part, by the fact that two members of his early band The Good Liars (Pete and Bruce Thomas) had been members of The Attractions. Harding was chosen by Bruce Springsteen as his first opening act in 20 years for his solo shows at the Berkeley Community Theatre in 1995. Harding
My Favourite Angel
John Wesley Harding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You understood every word I meant
You were full of charm, a little la-di-da
I called you my morning star
My bright one, my light one
Always welcome in the private room
My right hand man, as good as,
Till you got a taste for the razzmatazz
You put yourself top of the VIP list
And it's strange how things change
You were my favourite angel
I can still see you shining in the sun
And remember how I spoke of you to everyone
I love you Lucifer
It cut deep, you couldn't sleep
Those dreams do not come cheap
You learned from me, turned from me
You were your own worst enemy
Not a word, no goodbye
Like lightning falling from the sky
Change your name, give it spin
You have shed your original skin
Your dark noise, seductive voice
All my creatures spoilt for choice
And it's strange how things change
You were my favourite angel
I can still see you shining in the sun
And the hollowed out Bible where you kept your gun
I loved you Lucifer, I loved you Lucifer
You loved yourself much more than me
You could no longer call me sir
But I loved you the most, my little saboteur
Strange how things change
Now you're my favourite danger
I can still see you shining in the sun
And it's strange how it surprises almost everyone
How I loved you Lucifer
I loved you Lucifer
And I need you Lucifer
I love you Lucifer
The lyrics of John Wesley Harding's song "My Favourite Angel" tell a story of a once cherished relationship that has turned sour and destructive. The singer describes his former lover as beautiful and intelligent, someone who understood him deeply. He affectionately referred to this person as his "morning star" and "bright one." However, things took a dark turn when this person developed a taste for the high life, the "razzmatazz," and became obsessed with their own fame and success. The singer feels betrayed as this person puts themselves above everyone else, including the singer.
Despite the hurt and disappointment, the singer still sees glimpses of the person they once loved. They remember the person shining brightly and spoke highly of them to others. In a bittersweet way, the singer admits their love for this person, even referring to them as Lucifer. The person's transformation into a self-obsessed individual brought pain and chaos into the singer's life, as they became their own worst enemy. There is a sense of longing and loss, as the singer reflects on how things have changed and how they still need and love this person, despite the harm they caused.
Overall, "My Favourite Angel" explores themes of love, betrayal, transformation, and the complexities of relationships. It delves into the conflicting emotions of loving someone deeply, even when they become destructive and self-centered.
Line by Line Meaning
You were beautiful, intelligent
You possessed a captivating beauty and intelligence
You understood every word I meant
You comprehended the true essence behind my words
You were full of charm, a little la-di-da
You exuded a charming demeanor, a touch of sophistication
I called you my morning star
I referred to you as the guiding light in my life
My bright one, my light one
You illuminated my world with your presence
Always welcome in the private room
You held a special place in my heart, always invited into my innermost space
My right hand man, as good as
You were like a trusted confidant, an indispensable companion
Till you got a taste for the razzmatazz
Until you developed a craving for the flashy and extravagant
The knife twists, you couldn't resist
You succumbed to temptation, unable to resist its allure
You put yourself top of the VIP list
You prioritized your own desires and placed yourself above all others
And it's strange how things change
It is remarkable how circumstances can shift unexpectedly
You were my favourite angel
You were the most cherished being in my life
I can still see you shining in the sun
Your radiance continues to linger in my memories
And remember how I spoke of you to everyone
I fondly recall the way I praised and spoke highly of you to everyone I knew
I love you Lucifer
I deeply loved you, my beloved Lucifer
It cut deep, you couldn't sleep
It hurt you greatly, causing sleepless nights
Those dreams do not come cheap
Those aspirations and desires carry significant costs and sacrifices
You learned from me, turned from me
You acquired knowledge from me but eventually distanced yourself from my influence
You were your own worst enemy
You became the main obstacle to your own happiness and well-being
Not a word, no goodbye
You left without uttering a word or bidding farewell
Like lightning falling from the sky
Your departure was sudden and shocking, like a bolt of lightning striking the earth
Change your name, give it spin
You decided to adopt a new identity, adding a touch of intrigue
You have shed your original skin
You have discarded your former self, embracing a new persona
Your dark noise, seductive voice
Your mysterious aura, accompanied by an enchanting voice
All my creatures spoilt for choice
All those under your influence became enticed and captivated by your presence
Now you're my favourite danger
You have transformed into the most thrilling and hazardous presence in my life
And the hollowed out Bible where you kept your gun
The Bible you hollowed out to conceal your weapon, symbolizing your deceitful nature
But I loved you the most, my little saboteur
Despite all, I loved you above all others, even as you undermined everything
And it's strange how it surprises almost everyone
It is remarkable how others find it astonishing that my love and devotion continue
And I need you Lucifer
I still have a profound need for you, Lucifer
I love you Lucifer
I continue to love you deeply, my beloved Lucifer
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WESLEY STACE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brett Dillingham
Fabulous song...