Self-taught on the guitar, Otis Whitman worked at a shipyard in Tampa while developing a musical career, eventually performing with a band known as the "Variety Rhythm Boys". Whitman's first big break came when agent Colonel Tom Parker heard him singing on the radio and offered to represent him. Signed with RCA Records, he was billed as the cowboy singer, "Slim Whitman" and released his first 45rpm single in 1948. He toured and sang at a variety of venues including on the popular radio show, the Louisiana Hayride.
He only became a full time musician in the early 1950s after he recorded a version of the Bob Nolan hit Love Song of the Waterfall that made it into the country music Top 10 chart. His next single, Indian Love Call, was even more successful, going to the No.2 position (and actually saving the world in the 1996 movie Mars Attacks! where it proves fatal to the invading Martians). A yodeler, Whitman avoided the "down on yer luck-buried in booze" songs, preferring instead to sing laid-back romantic melodies about simple life and love.
In 1955, in the United Kingdom, he had a No.1 hit on the pop music charts with Rose Marie. With eleven weeks at the top of the charts, the song set a record that lasted for thirty-six years. Soon after recording this big hit Whitman was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry and in 1957, along with other musical stars, he appeared in the film musical, Jamboree. Despite this type of exposure, he never achieved the level of stardom in the United States that he did in Britain where he had a number of hits during the 1950s and 60s. Throughout the early 1970s, he continued to record and was a guest on Wolfman Jack's musical television show, The Midnight Special. At the time, Whitman's recording efforts were yielding only minor hits and in 1974 he stopped making new records.
The Angel Song
Slim Whitman Lyrics
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Think on better days
Life is rude, treats you bad
Tears your wings away
Raise your eyes to star and sky
Believe in fly aways
Take your dreams, your broken schemes
And sweep the past away
Fly lonely angel
High above these streets of fire
Fly lonely angel
Far away from mad desire
Hollywood ain't paved with gold
It's just a trick of light
Sunset falls on stars of old
And blinds you with its light
A spiders web of tangled lives
Lays stretched across the hills
From distances it's glistening
Like el dorado's halls
Fly lonely angel
High above these streets of fire
Fly lonely angel
Leave behind the mad desire
The dream was light
And fragrant nights
But how were you to know
The streets are hard
They're mean and scarred
Where only fools find gold
Fly lonely angel
High above these streets of fire
Fly lonely angel
Leave behind the mad desire
Fly lonely angel
Spread your wings another way
Fly lonely angel
Find a better way, a better day
The lyrics of Slim Whitman's "The Angel Song" describe a fallen angel who has been beaten down by life, but who still holds onto hope for a better future. The angel is encouraged to forget about the past and the pain it has caused, to believe in the possibility of "fly aways", and to take their dreams and broken schemes and sweep them away. The refrain "fly lonely angel" is repeated throughout the song, calling on the angel to rise above the streets of fire - a metaphor for the challenges of life - and leave behind the mad desire that has caused so much pain.
The song also touches on the theme of the dream of Hollywood and how it can lead to disappointment. The image of the city not being paved with gold, but rather a trick of light, speaks to the idea that the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry can blind one to its harsh realities. The song encourages the fallen angel to fly away from this disillusionment and find a better way, a better day.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Angel Song" provide a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, reminding the listener that it is possible to rise above one's circumstances and find a better path.
Line by Line Meaning
Fallen angel ripped and bruised
The angel has fallen from grace and has been physically and emotionally hurt
Think on better days
Reflect on happier times when life was kinder
Life is rude, treats you bad
Life can be harsh and difficult
Tears your wings away
Challenges can strip you of your abilities or hope
Raise your eyes to star and sky
Look towards hopeful things like the stars for inspiration
Believe in fly aways
Believe that you can fly away from your problems
Take your dreams, your broken schemes
Take your hopes and plans, even if they've been damaged or altered
And sweep the past away
Let go of what's happened and focus on moving forward
High above these streets of fire
Flying above chaotic and dangerous surroundings
Far away from mad desire
Escaping from negative and obsessive urges
Hollywood ain't paved with gold
Hollywood is not glamorous as it may seem
It's just a trick of light
Appearances can be deceiving
Sunset falls on stars of old
Time passes, and even famous people eventually fade into obscurity
And blinds you with its light
Fame can be overwhelming and blinding
A spider's web of tangled lives
A complex web of difficult and intertwined relationships
Lays stretched across the hills
Spread out over the land
From distances its glistening
Appears shiny and attractive from far away
Like el dorado's halls
Like the mythical place of wealth and splendor
The dream was light
The initial goals were easy and enjoyable
And fragrant nights
The nights were filled with pleasant scents
But how were you to know
But no one could have predicted the challenges that would come
The streets are hard
The world can be rough
They're mean and scarred
It's rough and damaged
Where only fools find gold
Only misguided or foolish people think they can achieve the impossible
Spread your wings another way
Try a different approach
Find a better way, a better day
Look for a better, more hopeful future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN NIVEN, MARK KENDALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bennport
Nice version of a Gene Autry song.