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Our top 10 Angel songs list presents ten of the best songs released by a seminal American band best known for its glam rock sound. Formed in the ‘70s, Angel established itself as a reputable ensemble ready to take over the rock scene during the times. Angel’s androgynous stage image saw the band become one of the most conspicuous glam rock ensembles.
Guitarist Punky Meadows and bassist Mickie Jones are credited to have started the band in 1975. The two brought in vocalist Frank DiMino, drummer Barry Brandt, and keyboardist Gregg Giuffria (associated with House of Lords and Giuffria) to fill the band’s lineup. Over the years, the lineup has altered, leaving Frank and Punky as the only original members of the band. While Angel has been described as a glam rock ensemble, its music sound also incorporated some hard rock and progressive rock sonic vibes.
The band’s rise to popularity came after Gene Simmons of the rock band Kiss spotted its members playing music at a nightclub. Angel would later sign to Casablanca Records, which was also home to Kiss. Other notable ensembles/artists who issued music through Casablanca Records include Donna Summer, Parliament, Village People, Lindsay Lohan, Hudson Brothers, and Cher.
Angel’s Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Angel’s professional career started after signing to Casablanca Records in 1975. In the same year, Angel released its eponymous studio album. Angel catapulted the band to mild mainstream success after it peaked at number one hundred and fifty-six on the Billboard 200 chart. “Tower,” “Long Time,” and “Rock and Rollers” are some of the best Angel from the album. Angel marked the band’s breakthrough, with the band expected to issue more reputable releases.
Angel’s Album Releases over the Years
After the success of the band’s eponymous album in 1975, Angel hit the studio in preparation for its sophomore album. The following year, the band issued Helluva Band. Helluva Band saw Angel blend hard rock with pop-rock and progressive rock elements. Some of the musical gems by the band from Helluva Band include “Feelin’ Right,” “Anyway You Want It,” and “The Fortune.”
Helluva Band performed better than the band’s eponymous debut album on the charts. The album peaked at number one hundred and fifty-five on the Billboard 200. In 1977, Angel went on to release its third studio album, On Earth as It Is in Heaven. On Earth as It Is in Heaven saw the band mix hard rock sounds with a touch of glam metal.
The album was a success rising to number seventy-six on the Billboard 200. On Earth as It Is in Heaven is home to some of the best Angel songs, including “That Magic Touch,” “On the Rocks,” and “Can You Feel It.” This was the last album to feature bassist Mickie Jones. On Earth as It Is in Heaven marked the first time Angel teamed up with producer Eddie Kramer. Eddie Kramer is best known for his successful work with Kiss, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and John Mellencamp.
Later in 1978, Angel issued its fourth LP, White Hot. White Hot is, to date, the band’s most successful album, peaking at number fifty-five on the Billboard 200 chart. The album is also home to the band’s highest-charting hit, “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore,” a song originally issued by The Young Rascals. Other notable hits from the album include “Don’t Leave Me Lovely,” “The Winter Song,” and “Over and Over.”
Angel went on to release its fifth studio album, Sinful. Sinful marked the band’s last charting studio album on the Billboard 200. The album peaked at number one hundred and fifty-nine on the chart. “Don’t Take Your Love” is one of the most popular Angel songs from the LP Sinful. Angel released its first live album, Live Without a Net, in 1980. Live Without a Net brought mild success to Angel rose to position one hundred and forty-nine on the Billboard 200.
Angel disbanded in 1981, with its major reunion coming in 1998. The band tried to rekindle its musical career with the release of its sixth studio album, In the Beginning, in 1999. However, In the Beginning failed to bring the band success. Twenty years later, Angel released its seventh studio album, Risen, through Cleopatra Records. However, the album still failed to catapult the band to fame.
Angel’s Other Musical Pursuits
Angel’s band members have been involved in other musical pursuits. Gregg Giuffria played with the rock band House of Lords and achieved success with his glam/hard rock ensemble Giuffria. Frank DiMino joined Paul Raymond of the English rock band UFO in his solo project, where he provided lead vocals.
Angel’s Accolades and Legacy
Angel might not have amassed accolades for its magnificent music career during its prime years. However, the band remains among the most dominant rock ensembles of the ‘70s. Angel’s striking stage image and influential glam rock/pomp rock sonic vibes mark the band’s legacy in the rock scene. Let’s now shift our attention to the best Angel songs of all time from the band’s seven studio albums.
#10 – Don’t Take Your Love
Opening our top 10 Angel songs list is the high-spirited hit “Don’t Take Your Love.” The song is among the best released by the band featured on the LP, Sinful. “Don’t Take Your Love” was written by the band’s vocalist Frank DiMino and keyboardist Gregg Giuffria. The song features some pop influences. It is the song’s outstanding arrangements and great harmony vocals that make it quite a smashing hit.
#9 – Over and Over
“Over and Over” is one of the best Angel songs from the band’s highest-charting album, White Hot. The song was written by Gregg Giuffria, Punky Meadows, and Frank DiMino. Angel gives us three minutes of its best hard rock sound. This fantastic song features some enthralling synth guitars that add glamour to the song’s overall feel. “Over and Over” is among the first songs to feature bassist Felix Robinson. This is after the departure of the band’s original bassist Mickie Jones.
#8 – On the Rocks
Our number eight spot on the best Angel songs goes to the captivating hit “On the Rocks.” The song is featured on the band’s third LP, On Earth as It Is in Heaven. “On the Rocks” was penned by Punky Meadows, Gregg Giuffria, and Frank DiMino. In this song, we get a taste of Barry Brandt’s fascinating drumming skills. Giuffria also spices the song with a rip-roaring performance on the keyboards.
#7 – Rock and Rollers
“Rock and Rollers” is a four-minute hit that brings the best of Angel’s hard rock sounds. The song is a lyrical gem penned by lead vocalist Frank DiMino, keyboardist Gregg Giuffria, and guitarist Punky Meadows. “Rock and Rollers” greatness emanates from the song’s superb composition. The song serves as an anthem to rock and roll lovers, with Angel promising its presence in a show to impress its fans.
#6 – Don’t Leave Me Lonely
Number six on our top 10 Angel songs is the raving hit “Don’t Leave Me Lonely.” The song is yet another song off the band’s highest-charting LP, White Hot. “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” was penned by drummer Barry Brandt and vocalist Frank DiMino. The song finds the singer trying to lure his lover to stay after wronging her.
#5 – Feelin’ Right
Helluva Band is home to our number five hit on the ten best Angel songs list, “Feelin’ Right.” The song was penned by the usual songwriting trio Gregg Giuffria, Frank DiMino, and Punky Meadows. Once more, Giuffria’s skills on the keyboard stand out in this song. Giuffria’s keyboard tunes are complemented by Barry’s superb drumming skills.
#4- The Winter Song
“The Winter Song” is one of the best Angel songs from the album White Hot. Frank DiMino, Gregg Giuffria, and Punky Meadows are credited with writing the song. Not many songs by Angel made it to the charts. However, “The Winter Song” made it to the Netherlands and New Zealand Singles charts at number twenty-six and thirty-two, respectively. “The Winter Song” is among the best Christmas songs from the band.
#3 – That Magic Touch
Our number three pick on the ten best Angel songs is the thrilling hit “That Magic Touch.” The song is among the reputable releases from the band’s third studio album, On Earth as It Is in Heaven. “That Magic Touch” was penned by Punky, Gregg, and Frank. The song finds the singer crooning about a magic touch by someone who seems to be far from his reach. “That Magic Touch” is the band’s second highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number seventy-seven.
#2 – Tower
“Tower” is among songs we can barely discount from the band’s eponymous debut album. The song serves as the lead track to the 1975 album Angel. “Tower” received massive airplay on rock radio stations in the ‘70s and ‘80s, bringing Angel newfound fame. The song also received widespread use in ads, helping spread the word of the up-and-coming rock band from Washington, D.C.
#1 – Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
Number one on our top 10 Angel songs list is the ravishing hit “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore.” The song was penned by Laurie Burton and Pam Sawyer and issued first by the American rock band The Young Rascals in 1965. “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore” by The Young Rascals achieved mainstream success, peaking at number fifty-two on the Billboard Hot 100.
Angel recorded a cover to the song featuring it on the band’s album, White Hot. The Angel’s cover of the song managed to rise to number forty-four on the Billboard Hot 100. This was the band’s highest-charting hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The Australian rock duo Divinyls issued a cover of the song in 1992. The Divinyls’ version only made it on the Australian charts, peaking at number nineteen.
Top 10 Angel Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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Top 10 Angel Songs 1=The Fortune 2=Tower 3=Long Time 4=Mariner 5=Mirrors 6=The Winter Song 7=Feelings 8=Just A Dream 9=Bad Time 10=Angel Theme 1-2 ..Cheers!