The trio of Scott Walker (Noel Scott Engel), Gary Walker (Gary Leeds, formerly of The Standells), and John Walker (John Maus, November 12, 1943 - May 7, 2011) moved from the U.S. to Britain in 1965. Like The Ramones, they were not related, and adopted the same last name as a show business touch. They had only minor success in the U.S., but topped the UK singles charts with Make It Easy On Yourself in 1965 and The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore) in 1966.
After a UK tour in late 1967, which also featured Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, and Engelbert Humperdinck, followed by a tour of Japan in 1968, the group officially disbanded. After the group disbanded, all three members scored U.S. and UK chart hits, under their Walker names.
Reforming in 1974, The Walker Brothers recorded a version of Tom Rush's No Regrets which soared into the British Top Ten after an absence of over a decade. However, the three albums that followed sold poorly: No Regrets (1975), Lines (1976), and Nite Flights (1978). Scott Walker's tracks on the final album, Nite Flights, laid the stylistic groundwork for his later solo career.
John Walker died at his Los Angeles home on May 7, 2011
Archangel
The Walker Brothers Lyrics
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To hear once more
Her footsteps
Down a shadowed corridor
Frightened
You're overdue
The darkest day
Goes on until it's blessed by you
Archangel risin' on the moon
Just to save me from this tomb
I'll cry the tears of time all day
'Til she wipes them all away
Outside my window
On silver druppets children play
I stand here waiting
The dying of an ageless day
Dismiss young couples
Who go home to their knowing bed
And watch the rooftops
Where silent shadows slowly spread
Sleeping their dreamless sleep
They'll never know
What secrets this room keeps
They'll wait when
I'm born again
The rent's been paid
So hurry
Carry me away
Archangel risin' on the moon
Just to save me from this tomb
I'll cry the tears of time all day
'Til she wipes them all away
The lyrics of "Archangel" by The Walker Brothers are laden with a sense of isolation, despair, and longing. The opening lines depict a sense of anticipation mingled with fear, as the singer waits for the return of someone precious who may never come. The use of the word "overdue" suggests a sense of abandonment or neglect, which is reinforced by the use of the word "darkest" to describe the day. The only hope in this bleak scenario is the impending arrival of the archangel, who will save the singer from his tomb, a metaphor for the darkness and despair that surrounds him.
The image of children playing outside, juxtaposed against the sense of darkness and despair inside the singer's room, further emphasizes the contrast between youth and vitality versus stagnation and decay. The singer is waiting for his own rebirth, but the process is agonizingly slow. The song's final lines suggest a sense of urgency and desperation, as the singer is in a hurry to escape his current situation. The idea of the rent being paid could be interpreted as a metaphor for the price that must be paid for a second chance at life.
Overall, "Archangel" is a haunting and powerful song that explores themes of loss, isolation, and hope. It is a testament to The Walker Brothers' ability to convey complex emotions through masterful lyrics and haunting melodies.
Line by Line Meaning
Silence
The absence of sound.
To hear once more
To listen again.
Her footsteps
The sound of her walking.
Down a shadowed corridor
Through a dark hallway.
Frightened
Scared, anxious.
You're overdue
You are late, past the expected time.
The darkest day
The most depressing day.
Goes on until it's blessed by you
The day will continue to be bleak until you make it better.
Archangel risin' on the moon
An angel is appearing on the moon.
Just to save me from this tomb
The angel has come to rescue the singer from a metaphorical grave.
I'll cry the tears of time all day
I will cry constantly, as time passes slowly.
'Til she wipes them all away
Until the person being sung to removes my tears.
Outside my window
Beyond where I am standing.
On silver druppets children play
Children are playing and laughing on silver objects/ toys.
I stand here waiting
I remain here, doing nothing, waiting.
The dying of an ageless day
The end of a day that seems timeless and unchanging.
Dismiss young couples
Ignore the lovers passing by.
Who go home to their knowing bed
They know what they will do when they get home.
And watch the rooftops
Look at the tops of the buildings.
Where silent shadows slowly spread
Where dark shapes move slowly and without making noise.
Sleeping their dreamless sleep
The people in bed are sleeping without dreaming.
They'll never know
Those sleeping will never understand.
What secrets this room keeps
The room holds a mysterious secret.
They'll wait when
Those sleeping will be waiting when something happens.
I'm born again
I make a fresh start or feel reborn.
The rent's been paid
The payment for the living space is made for the month.
So hurry
Hurry up or move quickly.
Carry me away
Take me out of here.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SCOTT ENGEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind