How Do You Talk to an Angel

"How Do You Talk to an Angel" is a song written by Steve Tyrell, Barry Coffing, and Stephanie Tyrell. It was the theme for the American TV series The Heights. The series follows the fictional band The Heights, and the ballad,^[1] recorded by the cast, was released as a single. It reached No. 1 number on the US Billboard Hot 100 on November 14, 1992, but the series was canceled exactly one week after the song fell from its number-one position.^[2] Jamie Walters was the lead singer, with supporting vocals by cast mates Shawn David Thompson, Cheryl Pollak, Charlotte Ross and Zachary Throne.

"How Do You Talk to an Angel"
Single by The Heights
from the album The Heights (Music from the Television Show)
B-side	"Walkin' Nerve"
Released	September 5, 1992
Genre	Pop[1]
Length	3:48
Label	Capitol
Songwriters	Barry Coffing Steve Tyrell Stephanie Tyrell
Producer	Steve Tyrell

In 1993, the song was nominated for an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics".^[3] The Emmy went to the song "Sorry I Asked" by Kander and Ebb from Liza Minnelli Live from Radio City Music Hall. No follow-up singles under The Heights name were ever commercially released. Promo CDs were issued to radio for a follow-up "I'm Still on Your Side", but there was no commercial issue for this track as a single.

Walters, the lead singer on the single and the lead actor on the show, later had a No. 16 Hot 100 hit with his single "Hold On" in 1994.^[4] It was his only subsequent chart appearance.

Personnel

• Jamie Walters: lead vocals
• Steve Tyrell: producer, arranger
• Bob Mann: arranger, acoustic/electric guitar (inc. solo)
• Michael Landau: electric guitars
• Mike Finnigan: piano
• John "JR" Robinson: drums
• Leland Sklar: bass
• Brandon Fields: saxophone
• Barry Coffing, Guy Moon: keyboards
• Alex Desert, Charlotte Ross, Cheryl Pollak, Jamie Walters, Ken Garito, Shawn Thompson, Zachary Throne: background vocals

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "How Do You Talk to an Angel" Chart (1992–1993) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[5] 3 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] 12 Canada Retail Singles (The Record)[7] 1 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8] 2 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[9] 12 Germany (GfK)[10] 47 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[11] 22 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[12] 16 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] 60 US Billboard Hot 100[14] 1 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[15] 8 US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)[16] 1 US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover (Billboard)[17] 13

Year-end charts 1992 year-end chart performance for "How Do You Talk to an Angel" Chart (1992) Position Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[18] 93 US Billboard Hot 100[19] 59 1993 year-end chart performance for "How Do You Talk to an Angel" Chart (1993) Position Australia (ARIA)[20] 24 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[21] 84 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[22] 86 US Billboard Hot 100[23] 80 US Cash Box Top 100[24] 34 Decade-end charts Decade-end chart performance for "How Do You Talk to an Angel Chart (1990–1999) Position Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[25] 77

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "How Do You Talk to an Angel"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[20]	Gold	35,000^
United States (RIAA)[26]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "How Do You Talk to an Angel"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	September 21, 1992	—	Capitol	[26]
Japan	December 24, 1992	Mini-CD		[27]
Australia	January 18, 1993	CD cassette	Capitol EMI	[28]