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"Angel of the Morning" is a hit pop song, charting twice for two different American female artists. The tune was originally released in 1968 by the American singer Merrilee Rush and her band, the Turnabouts. A higher-charting (and larger-selling) version in the United States was later released by country-rock chanteuse Juice Newton in 1981.
Written and composed by New York-born songwriter Chip Taylor, it was originally recorded by Evie Sands for Cameo-Parkway Records in 1967, but the record label went bankrupt, stranding the song in limbo. A representative from publishing company April-Blackwood pitched the song to Memphis producer Chips Moman and Merrilee Rush, who then recorded and released it successfully the following year. P.P. Arnold also had a hit with it in the UK the same year. A further version is sung by Billie Davis. Mary Mason also had a UK Top 30 hit with her version ("Angel of the Morning - Any Way That You Want Me") in 1977.
Meaning
In the song, the narrative voice addresses a lover. The song is sung from the perspective of a woman and it tells the story of two people carried away by passion knowing that there will be regret and consequences the next day. The song was inspired by the song "Ruby Tuesday" by The Rolling Stones and it echoes that song lyrically and melodically.
The opening line of the song is "There'll be no strings to bind your hands, not if my love can't bind your heart." In that line, and throughout the song, the narrator tells her lover that it is all right if he leaves (presumably after love making) although she is clearly conflicted about it and wants him to stay. The narrator then tries to convince her lover that he should stay despite the potential consequences. The lyrics are unusual (for the time) because they contain such a frank portrayal of female sexuality told from a woman's perspective.
Whether the song takes place in the context of a one night stand or an ongoing affair is not specified in the lyrics. Why the lover must leave before daybreak is also not specified, although it is implied that doing so would help to keep the affair secret. The song can be seen as an anthem of liberation and defiance wherein the narrator challenges her lover to see her as a human being free to express her sexuality despite social consequences. It can also be seen as the story of a woman who has engaged in an ill-conceived and self destructive affair. This duality is at the core of the song and is reflective of the conflict felt by the narrative voice. The song ends with the line "Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby." It is clear from this that narrator believes, hope against hope, that her lover will, indeed, leave.
Cover versions
Jamaican singer Joya Landis recorded a early reggae version of this song in 1968. The Jamaican single was on the Treasure Isle label. The UK single (on Trojan TR 622) had Love Letters by Phyllis Dillon & Alton Ellis on the b-side. It also appeared on the compilation album Soul Of Jamaica a.k.a. Come Rock With Me In Jamaica, 1968 and on the Trojan compilation album Tighten Up, Volume 1, 1968. It was produced by Arthur Reid.
Nina Simone recorded the song in 1971 on Here Comes the Sun.
Juice Newton recorded a hit cover version in 1981 with further success, hitting #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart (for four weeks) and #4 on the Hot 100, as well as #22 on the Country chart. The recording also earned Newton a Grammy nomination for Best Female Vocalist - Pop. More than 1 million copies of Newton's single of the song were sold in the United States, and the single reached the Top Ten in a number of other countries, including Canada and Australia. Newton recorded the song again in 1998 on her "The Trouble with Angels" album.
In 1995, The Pretenders released their own version on the "Friends" soundtrack album. The song was released as a single as well, but it did not chart.
Chip Taylor, has himself also released a version of the song with his current singer/songwriter partner Carrie Rodriguez.
The short-lived British girl band Thunderbugs recorded a fresh, upbeat version of the song in their 1999 debut (and only) album, Delicious. As the Thunderbugs disbanded after the end of 1999, this version is by far the most obscure cover.
Reggae artist Shaggy released a single entitled "Angel" in 2001 that featured a reworked tune and
almost entirely new lyrics, turning it into an apology and homage to his lady love, instead of the original's tone of loss and one-night stands.
Swedish singer Jill Johnson released "Angel of the Morning" in 2007
Boston-based band Vagiant released a cover on their album Public Display of Infection.
Watch the real thing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6YXISe1Fbs
Angel of the Morning
Words & Music by Chip Taylor
Recorded by Merillee Rush & the Turnabouts, 1968 (#7)
Repopularized by Juice Newton, 1981 (#4) D Em7 A7 There'll be no strings to bind your hands, G A9 D Em7 F#m7 G A9 Not if my love can't bind your heart. D Em7 A7 And there's no need to take a stand, G A9 D Em7 F#m7 G A9 For it was I who chose to start. Em7 A7 A7sus4 A7 I see no need to take me home; Em7 A7 I'm old enough to face the dawn. Refrain: D Bm7 A7 G A7 Just call me angel of the morning, An - gel, D Bm7 A7 G A7 Just touch my cheek before you leave me, ba - by. D Bm7 A7 G A7 Just call me angel of the morning, An - gel, G G/F# Em G/B D Em7 F#m7 G A9 D Em7 A7 G A9 Then slowly turn away from me. D Em7 A7 Maybe the sun's light will be dim G A9 D Em7 F#m7 G A9 And it won't matter an - y - how. D Em7 A7 If morning's echo says we've sinned... G A9 D Em7 F#m7 G A9 Well, it was what I wanted now. Em7 A7 Em7 A7 And if we're the victims of the night, I won't be blinded by light. Repeat Refrain:
Chip Taylor (born James Wesley Voight) is the younger brother of actor Jon Voight. Chip also wrote "Wild Thing", which was a big hit for The Troggs in 1966 and "I Can't Let Go" (co-written with Al Gorgoni), which was a hit for The Hollies (although it didn't chart in the Billboard Top 40 in the United States). -- Best regards, Dan West ===============================================| MIDKAR ===============================================| You Can Upload And Download Files Here! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/midkar/ ===============================================| Wild West's Music Studio ===============================================| http://mysite.verizon.net/wild_west2/studio.htm ===============================================|
