Angel
Sarah McLachlan Lyrics


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Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay

There's always some reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh, beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins

Let me be empty
Oh, and weightless, and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back

The storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack

It don't make no difference
Escaping one last time
It's easier to believe in this sweet madness
Oh, this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees

In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here





You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sarah McLachlan's song Angel are about seeking solace and comfort from the weariness and troubles of life. The opening lyrics express frustration and a sense of longing for a break that would make everything okay. However, there always seems to be some reason to feel not good enough, and it can be difficult to face each day's challenges. The singer then seeks a distraction and release from the memories that weigh heavily upon her.


The chorus, which is repeated throughout the song, speaks of finding comfort in the arms of an angel. The image of flying away from a dark, cold hotel room and the endlessness of fear is a powerful one. The singer speaks to someone who has been pulled from the wreckage of their silent reverie, who is lost and struggling. The angel provides them with hope and comfort in their time of need.


The verses that follow explore the weariness and frustration of feeling trapped in a straight line where there are vultures and thieves at your back. The singer speaks to the lies that are built up to compensate for what one lacks and how sometimes it feels easier to give in to sweet madness, even if it brings her to her knees.


This song has resonated with many people over the years because it speaks to the struggles and hardships that we all face at some point in our lives. It is a song about finding hope and comfort even in the darkest of times.


Line by Line Meaning

Spend all your time waiting
You keep waiting for something to happen in your life.


For that second chance
You hope for a chance to change something that went wrong.


For a break that would make it okay
You wish something good would happen to make everything better.


There's always some reason
You always find a reason to feel like you're not good enough.


To feel not good enough
You feel like you're not worthy of something or someone.


And it's hard at the end of the day
It's difficult to deal with these feelings at the end of the day.


I need some distraction
You want something to take your mind off of your problems.


Oh, beautiful release
You hope for a pleasant relief from the pain and struggle.


Memories seep from my veins
You can't stop thinking about the memories that haunt you.


Let me be empty
You want to feel numb and empty to escape the pain.


Oh, and weightless, and maybe
You want to feel light and free, and perhaps find some peace.


I'll find some peace tonight
You hope to find some peace in the midst of chaos.


In the arms of the angel
You long for the comfort of a higher power or guardian angel.


Fly away from here
You wish to escape from your current situation.


From this dark, cold hotel room
You want to escape from a place that feels lonely and unwelcoming.


And the endlessness that you fear
You fear that your struggles and pain will never end.


You are pulled from the wreckage
Someone or something is helping to pull you out of a difficult situation.


Of your silent reverie
You have been lost in your own thoughts and fears without anyone noticing.


May you find some comfort here
You hope to find some comfort and relief in the situation you're in.


So tired of the straight line
You're tired of doing the same thing over and over again without any change.


And everywhere you turn
No matter where you go, you can't escape your problems.


There's vultures and thieves at your back
You feel like people are taking advantage of you or trying to harm you.


The storm keeps on twisting
The intensity of the situation keeps increasing and getting worse.


You keep on building the lies
You keep telling yourself lies to make yourself feel better, but it's not working.


That you make up for all that you lack
You're trying to compensate for something that you're missing or don't have.


It don't make no difference
It doesn't matter anymore.


Escaping one last time
Trying to escape from the situation one last time.


It's easier to believe in this sweet madness
It's easier to cling to a fantasy than to face the harsh reality.


Oh, this glorious sadness
You find beauty in the sadness and pain, despite it being overwhelming.


That brings me to my knees
The pain and sadness is so overwhelming that it physically affects you.


You're in the arms of the angel
You feel embraced by something greater than yourself.


May you find some comfort here
You hope to find some comfort and relief in the situation you're in.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sarah McLachlan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Tryptonique

It is the empathy. The naked understanding without *judgement*.

From this article I found (link: https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/sarah-mclachlan-reveals-inspired-iconic-song-angel/story?id=24758400)

"In a question-and-answer session penned on Quora, McLachlan revealed that the song is not written about or inspired by an animal, but by another musician.

Jonathan Melvoin was the keyboardist for the Smashing Pumpkins before his death after a heroin overdose in 1996.

"I wrote "Angel" after being on the road for almost two years straight and was both mentally and physically drained," McLachlan wrote. "I went to a cottage north of Montreal to relax and write and read an article in Rolling Stone about the Smashing Pumpkins keyboard player who had OD'ed in a hotel room."

She continued, "the story shook me because though I have never done hard drugs like that, I felt a flood of empathy for him and that feeling of being lost and lonely and desperately searching for some kind of release."



All comments from YouTube:

@gladegoodrich2297

One of the greatest songs ever written. She has such an angelic voice.

@corey-bird3489

People tell me I have a soothing voice on my channel, but I ain’t her.

@roberte.6892

Mclachlan is really underrated. She has a few well-know songs, but she's a real talent even beyond that.

@dankaradave

This is true

@Steelballz89

I was 14 when I got my 1st "legal" car, and when I drove to school I'd always play this whole album and sing my heart out, get near school then turn on tiki tanne haha

@vikkibrown2023

I know, right~~I had this song played at my Mama's funeral~~Have a great night/day @gladegoodrich2297 and stay safe~~💖💖💖

1 More Replies...

@stefangottlieb4481

My house burned to the ground a few days ago. My wife and son were not there. I was the only one at home and survived by some miracle. I’m not a religious man but the line “You were pulled from the wreckage” started to go through my mind. Now when I’m alone i put the song on repeat and it helps me get all the tears out.

@conradwolf3980

Stay strong, buddy. Everything can be rebuilt. As long as you're alive and healthy, you're unstoppable - at ANY age! And as for things lost forever (photos and such) - everything's up there in your memory and no-one can take that away from you.

@stefangottlieb4481

@@conradwolf3980 beautiful words. Thanks wolf man.

@davemello6705

Mensch Stefan, du machst Sachen! Zum Glück seid ihr alle wohlauf!

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