Wells' success in the 1950s and 1960s was so enormous that she still ranks as the sixth most successful female vocalist in the history of the Billboard country charts according to historian Joel Whitburn's book "The Top 40 Country Hits", behind Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, and Tanya Tucker. Wells was the third country music artist, behind Roy Acuff and Hank Williams, to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991 as well as being the seventh woman and first Caucasian woman to receive the honor. In 1976, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
I Don't Claim To Be An Angel
Kitty Wells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My life's been full of sin
But when I met you, darling
That all came to an end
Never doubt my love, dear
Whatever you may do
I don't claim to be an angel
You'll hear talk around town
Of things I used to do
Some will try to poison your mind
That my love can't be true
Many nights I lay awake, dear
Hoping our love will last
Wondering if your love is strong enough
To forget about my past
I don't claim to be an angel
My life's been full of sin
But when I met you, darlin'
That all came to an end
Never doubt my love, dear
Whatever you may do
I don't claim to be an angel
But my love for you is true
I never knew what real love was
Till you came along
You changed my outlook on life
Made me regret my wrongs
Why should my past keep haunting me
All through the years?
I paid for each mistake
With millions of bitter tears
I don't claim to be an angel
My life's been full of sin
But when I met you, darlin'
That all came to an end
Never doubt my love, dear
Whatever you may do
I don't claim to be an angel
But my love for you is true
In Kitty Wells's song I Don't Claim To Be An Angel, the singer confesses to her lover that she is not a perfect person and her life is full of sins. However, she claims that when she met him, everything changed and her past mistakes ceased to matter. She acknowledges that people in town might try to ruin her image in front of her lover, but assures him that her love for him is true and unwavering. She talks about her nights spent worrying about their relationship and hoping that her mistakes won't come in the way of their love. She acknowledges that she never understood the true meaning of love until he came along and made her regret her wrongdoings. She questions why her past should keep haunting her and feels that she has already paid for each mistake with bitter tears.
The song is all about confession, redemption, and true love. It is a declaration of a person who has had many flaws in their past, but who now realizes the value of true love and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep that love alive. It is also a story of hope, where someone who is not perfect, but sincere in their love for another, eventually finds happiness and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't claim to be an angel, my life's been full of sin
I acknowledge that I have sinned in the past, and I am not claiming to be perfect or sinless.
But when I met you, darling, that all came to an end
Meeting you has turned my life around for the better, and I have left my sinful past behind.
Never doubt my love, dear, whatever you may do
No matter what you may hear or what happens, my love for you remains steadfast and unwavering.
I don't claim to be an angel but my love for you is true
While I acknowledge my past mistakes, my love for you is genuine and real.
You'll hear talk around town of things I used to do
People may spread rumors or gossip about my past actions and mistakes.
Some will try to poison your mind that my love can't be true
Others may try to convince you that my love for you is not genuine, but you should not believe them.
Many nights I lay awake, dear, hoping our love will last
I worry and hope that our love will endure despite my past mistakes and any obstacles we may face.
Wondering if your love is strong enough to forget about my past
I question whether you are able to look past my past mistakes and love me for who I am now.
I never knew what real love was till you came along
Before meeting you, I had not experienced true and genuine love.
You changed my outlook on life, made me regret my wrongs
Your love has transformed me and made me regret my past mistakes and actions.
Why should my past keep haunting me all through the years?
I question why my past mistakes should continue to affect me and our relationship for years to come.
I paid for each mistake with millions of bitter tears
I have suffered and paid for my past mistakes by experiencing deep regret and sadness.
I don't claim to be an angel [unverified]
I am not perfect nor do I claim to be.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jack Anglin, Jim Anglin, Johnny Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@starrlara3109
The older I get, the more I appreciate this type of music, raw and real.
@greenmanalishi6963
From the heart and soul. What I admire most is the authenticity. Just a block of wood with some strings and a voice. Nothing else.
@patsywhitehead6219
I grew up in the 50's with my mom singing Kitty Wells and Patsy Clines songs...and I still love them ...I am 72...
@MoJoPiano
She was simply THE BEST! I am 57 years old and I have been listening to Kitty Wells recordings all of my life and I never get tired of them. I enjoy them just as much as I did when just a boy back in the mid 50s. We hear the term "legend" and "pioneer" tacked on to lots of artists, but Kitty TRULY earned and deserves the title. If anyone should get to wear the crown as "Queen of Country Music" it should be Kitty hands down! MoJoPiano
@maryatwall2462
Listen to country music this is real country music must of the good ones are gone RIP will always listen to all the greats
@robertpassa7184
Kitty Wells was my mother's favorite country western star. She had her records and albums and would play them as she ironed her clothes with a cigarette dangling from her mouth singing in between puffs and chugging shots of Beam and downing cans of Hamm's Beer. It was a great show when I was a kid and I still love the music and the memories of Kitty Wells.
@lydiajacobs371
This lady was and is the queen of country music.
@lendavoice60
My girlfriend was always listening to her and Hank Sr. May the Lady of Country sing this in heaven for you my dear friend Kathleen! RIP Miss Kitty and I miss you Kat!
@whispperson
I agree, they dont make singers as talented as this. What a wonderfull song.
@Tequiladog
God,she was so beautiful and her voice too,great performance from the queen of Country Music!