Angel (Massive Attack song)


"Angel" is a song by English trip hop group Massive Attack, featuring the vocals and songwriting from Horace Andy, and is partially based on Andy's song "You Are My Angel". It was released as the third single from their third studio album, Mezzanine, on 13 July 1998. "Angel" peaked at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart.

Background and composition

described the song as " something we've got to finish. It was a much bigger thing than any member of the band." The song samples The Incredible Bongo Band song, "Last Bongo in Belgium".

Music video

The music video for "Angel", directed by Walter A. Stern, features Grant "Daddy G" Marshall in a car park. He is walking to the exit when Robert del Naja, Andrew Vowles and Horace Andy appear behind him. They gradually get closer to him, causing him to feel intimidated. More people start following him, which causes him to run outside the car park until he reaches a fence and therefore cannot go any further. As he turns to face the people chasing him, they stop and face him. He then notices that they seem to be mirroring his movements, as if his body controls them. He suddenly charges towards the people that followed him, which causes them to run away.
The video has had over 34 million views on YouTube.

Critical reception

Reception for the song was positive. Amy Hanson of AllMusic describes the song as "While the beat here is slow, druggy, and deep, what ultimately drives Angel is the wall of guitars that are reminiscent of a very early Cure".

Track listing

Personnel

Massive Attack
Additional personnel
Recording personnel