Angel (Aerosmith song)

"Angel" is a power ballad^[2][3][4] by American rock band Aerosmith. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler and professional songwriting collaborator Desmond Child.

"Angel"
Single by Aerosmith
from the album Permanent Vacation
B-side	"Girl Keeps Coming Apart"
Released	January 5, 1988
Recorded	1987
Genre	Glam metal[1]
Length	5:08 (album version) 3:56 (radio edit) 4:02 (from Greatest Hits 2023)
Label	Geffen
Songwriter(s)	Steven Tyler Desmond Child
Producer(s)	Bruce Fairbairn
Aerosmith singles chronology
"Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" (1987) "Angel" (1988) "Rag Doll" (1988)
Music video
"Angel" on YouTube

It was released in 1988 as the third single from the band's 1987 album, Permanent Vacation. It quickly climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100,^[5] which at the time was their highest-charting single ever. The song currently ranks second behind their 1998 smash "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", which was Aerosmith's first (and, as of 2025, only) single to top the Hot 100.^[5]

Reception

Cash Box called it a "searing rock ballad" on which "Steven Tyler recreates the emotional intensity of the classic 'Dream On.'"^[6]

Song structure

The song is in E♭ major.^[7]

Personnel

• Steven Tyler – lead vocals, piano
• Joe Perry – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Brad Whitford – rhythm guitar
• Tom Hamilton – bass guitar
• Joey Kramer – drums

Additional musicians

• Drew Arnott – mellotron

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1988) Peak position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8] 14 UK Singles Chart[9] 69 US Billboard Hot 100[10] 3 US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[11] 2

Year-end chart Chart (1988) Position US Billboard Hot 100[12] 34