She Talks To Angels
The Black Crowes Lyrics


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She never mentions the word addiction
In certain company
Yes, she'll tell you she's an orphan
After you meet her family

She paints her eyes as black as night now
Pulls those shades down tight
Yeah, she gives a smile when the pain comes
The pain gonna make everything alright

Says she talks to angels
They call her out by her name
Oh yeah, she talks to angels
Says they call her out by her name

She keeps a lock of hair in her pocket
She wears a cross around her neck
Yes, the hair is from a little boy
And the cross from someone she has not met, well, not yet

Says she talks to angels
Says they all know her name
Oh yeah, she talks to angels
Says they call her out by her name

She don't know no lover
None that I ever seen
Yeah, to her that ain't nothing
But to me it means, means everything

She paints her eyes as black as night now
She pulls those shades down tight
Oh yeah, there's a smile when the pain comes
The pain gonna make everything alright, alright yeah

She talks to angels
Says they call her out by her name
Oh yeah, angels
Call her out by her name
Oh-oh, angel
They call her out by her name
Oh, she talks to angels
They call her out, yeah, yeah




Call her out
Don't you know that they call her out by her name

Overall Meaning

The Black Crowes' song She Talks To Angels tells the story of a young woman struggling with addiction, loneliness, and possibly mental illness. The first verse implies that she tries to maintain appearances by omitting any mention of her addiction, except in the company of those who understand. She presents herself as an orphan, despite having a family.


The second verse provides more description of her actions, including wearing all black, painting her eyes, and shielding herself from the world. However, when the pain strikes, she smiles, possibly indicating that she finds some comfort in her suffering. She believes she talks to angels, who call her by name, and that they can relieve her pain. The third verse hints at a darker side to her personality, showing that she keeps a lock of a little boy's hair and wears a cross from someone she has not met, suggesting that she may have a desire for twisted connections.


The song's chorus repeats that she speaks to angels who know her name, presenting her need for comfort and solace. The final line, "don't you know that they call her out by her name," is repeated multiple times, emphasizing how important it is to her that the angels recognize and acknowledge her.


Overall, She Talks to Angels is a haunting, poignant song that tells a story of a woman who is struggling to cope with her demons, loneliness, and pain, and turns to imaginary entities for comfort and relief from her suffering.


Line by Line Meaning

She never mentions the word addiction
She avoids acknowledging her addiction, especially in a certain company.


In certain company
She chooses not to reveal her addiction in certain social situations.


Yes, she'll tell you she's an orphan
She misleads about her background, claiming to be an orphan.


After you meet her family
She only confesses that she's not an orphan after introducing you to her family.


She paints her eyes as black as night now
She puts on heavy makeup to hide her tired, gloomy eyes.


Pulls those shades down tight
She closes herself off from the world by keeping her sunglasses on all the time.


Yeah, she gives a smile when the pain comes
She learns to cope with pain by pretending she's okay and putting a smile on her face.


The pain gonna make everything alright
She believes that enduring the pain will ultimately make everything in her life better.


Says she talks to angels
She claims to have a spiritual connection with angels.


They call her out by her name
Angels communicate with her personally.


She keeps a lock of hair in her pocket
She cherishes a lock of hair from a little boy, possibly her child, and carries it with her everywhere.


She wears a cross around her neck
She wears a religious symbol as a source of comfort and protection.


And the cross from someone she has not met, well, not yet
She has faith in something and someone she has not yet encountered but believes she will in time.


She don't know no lover
She doesn't have a steady romantic partner.


None that I ever seen
The singer hasn't noticed anyone special in her life.


Yeah, to her that ain't nothing
Not having a lover isn't a concern to her.


But to me it means, means everything
The artist is deeply affected by her lack of a significant other.


Oh yeah, there's a smile when the pain comes
She endures pain with a smile and a positive outlook.


The pain gonna make everything alright, alright yeah
She firmly believes that the pain she endures will lead to a better future.


Don't you know that they call her out by her name
Angels recognize and address her by name.


Oh, she talks to angels
She claims to have a spiritual connection to angels.


They call her out, yeah, yeah
The angels communicate with her frequently and personally.


Call her out
Angels call her name to get her attention.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher Mark Robinson, Rich S. Robinson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ShanaLanel

My sister passed away in September of last year. This was her favorite song. She struggled with addiction most of her life. We played this loud for her at her funeral. Everytime it plays out of nowhere, I just smile knowing it’s her up there giving me a sign. Thank you so much for this song. My family can find peace through our grief, connecting this beautiful song with her.

@katc5051

This is a beautiful tribute. I'm very sorry for your loss.

@fashionlotuschic9741

🕊🕊

@smill1985

My sincerest condolences, Shana.

@aprilfrank6620

My favorite also! I've been 8 year's clean after a long addiction! So glad you can smile when you hear this song and think of her!

@susanwallace3465

Love to you and your family 💞

58 More Replies...

@marimullan4012

As a mom of a heroin addict sober for 5 years this song is my power song. It reminds me that I am never alone & that every day we have on this earth is a gift. I talked to so many angels begging them to keep my child safe & bring him back to us. Thank you to my angels who listened & brought him back to me. I already have an angel son I couldn't survive having 2. I talk to angels everyday praying for them to keep him strong enough to fight the demon heroin.

@robertmuir9146

I’ve been fighting with addiction since 1995 and I’m still struggling with it at the age of 53 and I really don’t know if I can win this one but these comments offer hope and this tune is proper gold. Peace and love ❤

@pajero0402

Breathe in breathe out. It's a journey. One day at a time. You can deal with tomorrow when it gets here. Please do not give up. You got this ❤❤❤

@debrablumrogers5096

I'm with you sadly,I m afraid to stop .

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