Released July 24, 2006 (U.S.) Length 4:21 | Recorded 2005 Label Universal Republic | |
Format Digital download, CD single Genre Alternative rock, post-grunge | ||
"Lips of an Angel" is a song by the American rock band Hinder written by Brian Howes, Austin Winkler and Cody Hanson. It was released as the second single from their album Extreme Behavior. It was their breakthrough hit, charting in the top ten on several Billboard trade charts in the United States, and reaching number one in several countries. It has sold 3.6 million copies in the US as of January 2015, making it one of the most downloaded rock songs.
Contents
Jack Ingram released a cover of the song in 2006, which reached No. 16 on the Billboard country music charts.
Song information
The lyrics deal with the singer describing his feelings when his favored girlfriend from his past calls late at night, somewhat pleasantly interrupting his current relationship. More than once, a reference to the call being secret is made, and the singer expresses concern of a fight ensuing as a result. The song concludes just as it began, with the singer questioning to why she is calling so late. However, at the end, it is less literal and more figurative, with the underlying meaning of "so late" not at night, but too late in life, perhaps adding an element of sadness to the song, as it ends with the plot unresolved. According to a radio interview done in Atlanta, Georgia the lyrics are loosely based on an actual phone call incident that did happen.
The song experienced the most success in Oceania. On the chart date of February 4, 2007, the song debuted atop Australia's ARIA Singles Chart, replacing Evermore's "Light Surrounding You", keeping the peak position for seven weeks before being replaced by "Straight Lines" by Silverchair. On February 12, it reached the top spot on New Zealand's RIANZ Singles Chart and stayed there for one more week before being dethroned by "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" by Fall Out Boy. In the United States, the song reached number one on the Billboard Pop 100 and the Mainstream Top 40 charts in November 2006. Elsewhere, the song had limited chart success, and remains their only hit in most countries it charted in.
The song is featured in the music-related video games Lips (as downloadable content), Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore, Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party, and Band Hero.
Formats and track listings
- "Lips of an Angel" – 4:21
- "Lips of an Angel" – 4:21
- "By the Way" (acoustic) – 3:34
- "Bliss (I Don't Wanna Know)" (acoustic) – 3:45
- "Oye there you go"
Jack Ingram version
Country music artist Jack Ingram released a version of the song in December 2006. Ingram's version, the lead-off single to his 2007 album This Is It, reached a peak of number 16 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in April 2007. Ingram's version does not include the last stanza where the singer once again asks why she is calling so late.
Background
Regarding his cover of this song, Ingram gave an explanation in the liner notes of This Is It:
"I heard this song on the radio. I think it's a killer song. I thought we could give it another feel and do it justice. A good song is a good song. I'll let other people choose sides between what genre is what genre and who should stay inside which box. I think there are two kinds of music: good and bad. I try to stay on the right side. Besides, who hasn't felt this way at some point in their life? Don't lie."
Music video
Premiering in early 2007, the music video for "Lips of an Angel" was directed by Shaun Silva and largely follows the narrative of the song's lyrics, focusing on a late night phone call between the raconteur (Austin Winkler) and his former lover (Emmanuelle Chriqui).