Aretha Franklin - Angel (Atlantic Records 1973)

"Angel" is a soul ballad recorded by American singer Aretha Franklin. The song was co-written by Aretha's sister, Carolyn, and Sonny Saunders. Aretha co-produced the song with Quincy Jones and it originally appeared on Aretha's 1973 album "Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)". It was released as a single in June 1973 and went on to top the US R&B Singles chart for two weeks while reaching number twenty on the Pop chart. The single sold over 900,000 copies.

Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer and songwriter. Franklin began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister. In 1960, at the age of 18, she embarked on a secular career, recording for Columbia Records but only achieving modest success. Following her signing to Atlantic Records in 1967, Franklin achieved commercial acclaim and success with songs such as "Respect", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", "Spanish Harlem" and "Think". By the end of the 1960s she had gained the title "The Queen of Soul".

Franklin eventually recorded a total of 112 charted singles on Billboard, including 77 Hot 100 entries, 17 top ten pop singles, 100 R&B entries and 20 number-one R&B singles, becoming the most charted female artist in the chart's history.

Franklin also recorded acclaimed albums such as I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, Lady Soul, Young, Gifted and Black and Amazing Grace before experiencing problems with her record company by the mid-1970s. After her father was shot in 1979, Franklin left Atlantic and signed with Arista Records, finding success with her part in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers and with the albums Jump to It (1982) and Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985).

In 1998, Franklin won international acclaim for singing the opera aria "Nessun dorma", at the Grammys of that year replacing Luciano Pavarotti. Later that same year, she scored her final Top 40 recording with "A Rose Is Still a Rose".

Franklin's other popular and well known hits include "Rock Steady", "Jump to It", "Freeway of Love", "Who's Zoomin' Who", "Chain Of Fools", "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)", "Something He Can Feel", "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (with George Michael), and a remake of The Rolling Stones song "Jumpin' Jack Flash".

Franklin has won a total of 18 Grammy Awards and is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, having sold over 75 million records worldwide.

Franklin has been honored throughout her career including a 1987 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in which she became the first female performer to be inducted. She was inducted to the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. In August 2012, Franklin was inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Franklin is listed in at least two all-time lists on Rolling Stone magazine, including the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

On August 13, 2018, Franklin was reported to be gravely ill at her home near Detroit. She was reported to be under hospice care and surrounded by friends and family. Stevie Wonder and Jesse Jackson, among others, had visited her. Franklin died at home in Detroit on August 16, aged 76. The cause was reported to be advanced pancreatic cancer.

I got a call the other day
It was my sister Carolyn, sayin'
"Aretha, come by when you can
I've got somethin' that I wanna say"

And when I got there she said
"You know rather than go through a long drawn out thing
I think the melody on the box will help me explain"

Gotta find me an angel
To fly away with me
Gotta find me an angel
Ooo and set me free

My heart is without a home
I don't want to be alone
I gotta find me an angel
In my life, in my life

Too long have I loved
So unattached within
So much that I know
That I need somebody so
So I'll just go on
Hoping that I find me someone
Gotta find me an angel in my life
In my life...in my life

I know there must be someone
Somewhere for me
Oh I lived too long
Without the love of someone
And there's no misery
Ooooh oooh like the misery
I feel in me

I gotta find me an angel in
In my life
(You'll meet him now don't you worry)
In my life
(Keep lookin' and just keep cookin')
In my life
(He'll be there, now don't you worry)
In my life.

[robertcarroll]

The year this song was released I got married high sweet heart. Wonderful.we are still together after 50years.

[vincentcheatham]

A favorite. R.I.P. Aretha. She passed away this morning. You will always be the irreplaceable Queen of Soul. <3

[islandgirl]

Carolyn obviously was gifted as well as a song writer; So happy that she collaborated with Aretha with this Outstanding MASTERPIECE! R.I.P. Carolyn and Aretha!!

[anitacollins]

Still doesn't seem real! My mother played her music; I played her music in my home. I grew up listening to her music; my children grew up listening to her music! Feels like a family member whose gone home to be with my Daddy God!
RIP Queen!

[malcolmmccoy]

This song I played a lot when my dog passed, and I broke down so hard around 3:38-3:58. 🎵There’s no misery like the pain I feel in me, gotta find me an Angel. Rest In Peace Crystal Nov. 1, 2006- Mar. 10, 2020. ❤️

[stylecollective-qtum]

A stunning piece of work that was the mark of a childhood filled with music by one of the most talented and prolific songstresses, songwriters, and musicians in American music history. I was so lucky to grow up in the 70s and be exposed to this level of craft, artistry, with art intersecting our lives in love, humanity, and social justice. Rest in power, our Queen.

[patriciaannettemoore]

THE HEAVENLY CHOIR HAS GAINED THE QUEEN OF SOUL!!!  REST IN PEACE QUEEN, GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN, YOU AND YOUR MUSIC WILL LIVE ON IN OUR HEARTS!!!

[islandgirl]

Aretha appears to be looking toward Heaven in 3 of the photos with the beautiful materials adorning her head and the last photo in Deep Prayer!! Absolutely beautiful photos and my favorite song!!! Rest In Peace Aretha!!!!

[cynthiastokes]

Rest easy queen aretha Franklin. No more sadness, no more pain. I pray for strength and consolation for your family, friends and all of your loved ones.

[chenellstewart]

I 've loved this song since I was a little girl! One of my favorites

[kimberlywilson]

This is the sentiment of my heart ❤️, but I know I will not find me a angel, It's just hopeful thinking.

[gracebarzyz]

Get the gave this a thumsdown ima kick yo ass! I L🌹VE this Miss Aretha!

[mose]

My favorite song by Aretha. Call Me is a very close second choice. Her majestic voice can evoke both joy and tears of sorrow. It’s almost like she is crying. May God bless her and her family with comfort and strength through this time.

[teresaanderson]

Thank you my brother, Dexter for introducing me to this song...Angel ♡ Aretha Franklin... love Teresa ❤

[rjames]

This song was in my rotation long before she joined the heavenly choir!

[darricklong]

Thanks Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin for an amazing song and sharing your gift through the good and bad times.

[instructme]

Thinkyouknowmusic on Twitter brought me here. Appropriately, Aretha Franklin was in the No.1 position on the R&B songs chart 45 years ago today with her single "Angel".

[williamsanders]

When my mother died in 2017 I played this Angel Song every day for months and I cried every time I played it. It's 2021 and I still tear up every time I play it.

[MaxineHargrove]

This song still hurts me to sing even more now it is well with my soul thank you for this song RIP

[Chaseieday]

I think about Ms Aretha often. She opened up my world to the love of music when I heard her voice for the first time. Can't believe it's been over a year already. RIP!!