You know? It always amazes me to see how people interpret songs.. Mostly they equate it to something that has happened to them in the past.. like rape or this and that and...

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.

[Chorus]
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.
Keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack.

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

[Chorus]

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



Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 04:31

"Angel" as written by Shaun Ryder, Paul Richard Davis, Mark Philip Day, Paul Anthony Ryder, Gary Kenneth Whelan

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Angel song meanings
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151 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:I don't see how anyone could have second guessed what these lyrics are about. My father is an alcoholic and since this song came out he has always said that he wanted this played at his funeral. I understood why at the time because I knew he struggled in his life.. past regrets, depression, sadness and the only thing that could make that better for him is a drink.. It was his "beautiful release"... Now it's mine..Years later here I am an addict in my own right except that my indiscretions are a lot closer what this song is about. I'm 9 days sober today but all I can think about is how sad I am and how bad I want to use. I too have some recent regrets and it feels like every day I wait for that "second chance" or something... ANYTHING that can make it okay for me. The only thing I had was my drug addiction OR the only thing I felt I had because it's the only thing that made me feel "empty and weightless".. Anyways, It's better to be clean, drugs are no good.. no one told me it would take me 6 months to a year to recover fully :( Now I know. Driving home today this song came on the radio and all I could do is cry, I know exactly how this person feels.
    Flag pugglepon May 21, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Memory:This was played at my cousins grandfathers funeral. I promised myself I wouldn't cry, then this song that I had never heard in my entire life started playing, and I started bawling my eyes out. It's one of my best memories right now because now I know that he's in a better place c: After the funeral everybody started to cheer up and now I know that he's happy and safe up in the skies.
    You're in heaven now Pop! Hope they're treating you well!!
    Flagged LcRose1999on November 06, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:Yesterday I was angry all day because I lost 2 people recently who were my only close family. I realized that I need to move on and that perhaps never will I ever be able to be accepted by those around that were the rest of my family. I can continue to love them, but not have to hurt myself.
    It is hard to say goodbye, but once you let go, it is fine. I can do that.
    Flag happy7on March 02, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:beautiful. Dont think its about drugs.
    Flag bellababyon February 27, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:although everyone says this is about drugs, i think it is about suicide
    Flag connorthehunon February 19, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The song gives me chills and makes me cry. It always makes me think of the ASPCA ads and the sad faces of the animals, even though it's about drugs.
    Flag StillWaitingon December 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's about the death of someone dear. Her wearing a black dress in the music video confirms it. Lyrics don't seem to contradict it either.
    Flag Kruppzon November 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:mtvhive.com/artist/mclachlan_sarah/videos/336007/…_ ARGUMENT ENDED! It states that the song is INDEED about heroin. and you're pretty dense if you think otherwise, especially when she has said so herself. You gonna argue with her about what the song SHE wrote is about? Also, it's obvious... "The memories seep through my VEINS. Let me empty, oh and WEIGHTLESS" Obviously about shooting up, Seriously. LOL! "From this dark, cold, hotel room".. Cuz seriously. people dying from terminal diseases are hanging in a hotel room.. not heroin addicts... songfacts.com/… People aren't just pulling this out of their asses. I am not sure why people are going to argue this when she has gone on record saying what it was about. And not just in text.. on video... just go watch Storytellers and let her tell you herself.
    Flag Vixxenkisson November 14, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:woops i meant to write this at the chorus

    In the arms of an angel"
    Fly away from here"
    From this dark cold hotel room" to me the chorus is what a mother is saying to her depressed daughter. I think her
    And the endlessness that you fear" daughter ran away and her mother finds her in a hotel room and tells her that even
    You are pulled from the wreckage" though she fears that these feelings will never go away they eventually will.
    Of your silent reverie"
    You’re in the arms of the angel"
    May you find some comfort there"
    Flag endastGudarperfekton October 09, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:To me this song is about a girl who struggles with depression and cutting. Even though she doesn't like herself and can't find a better way to get rid of bad memories she has parents who care about her and are willing to help.


    Spend all your time waiting" I'm not sure what these lines are referring to
    For that second chance"

    For a break that would make it okay" a break in the persons skin

    There’s always one reason"
    To feel not good enough" referring to depression
    And it’s hard at the end of the day"

    I need some distraction" cutting being the distraction

    Oh beautiful release" the release of emotions that comes from cutting

    Memory seeps from my veins" metaphorically, when she cuts, all her bad memories leave

    Let me be empty" without those bad memories

    And weightless and maybe" cutting gives her a high similar to a runner's high

    I’ll find some peace tonight" the cutting will make her feel better



    In the arms of an angel
    Fly away from here
    From this dark cold hotel room to me the chorus is what a mother is saying to her depressed daughter. I think her
    And the endlessness that you fear daughter ran away and her mother finds her in a hotel room and tells her that even
    You are pulled from the wreckage though she fears that these feelings will never go away they eventually will.
    Of your silent reverie
    You’re in the arms of the angel
    May you find some comfort there



    So tired of the straight line" sick of her life

    And everywhere you turn"
    There’s vultures and thieves at your back" she has no one reliable in her life

    And the storm keeps on twisting" her depression keeps getting worse

    You keep on building the lie" lying to parents about cutting

    That you make up for all that you lack" she lacks the ability to stop cutting

    It don’t make no difference"
    Escaping one last time" she thinks that one more cut won't make a difference

    It’s easier to believe in this sweet madness oh" referring to how sad it is that something as sad as cutting can make a
    This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees" person feel so much better

    I could be completely wrong but this is what it means to me.

    Flag endastGudarperfekton October 09, 2011   Link

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