Released April 2013 Recorded 2013 Length 4:03 | Format Digital single Genre Rock Label LMJS Productions | |
'Sad Angel' is a song by Fleetwood Mac, written by guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Buckingham, from their EP Extended Play, released in 2013. It was the only single released from the EP, and it was not very successful in the charts, stalling at #125 in the UK.
Contents
Background
"Sad Angel", along with another Buckingham song, Miss Fantasy, were intended to be released before their 2013 World tour kicked off. This did not happen, and was instead included on their EP "Extended Play". Like many of his songs, Buckingham wrote "Sad Angel" for his former girlfriend, Stevie Nicks. "All these years later, we are still writing songs that are dialogues for each other," he says. "That was part of the appeal of Rumours, and of the group in general... Of all the things we cut, "Sad Angel" was, for lack of a better term, the most Fleetwood Mac-y. It was really kind of the best stuff that we have done in a while."
"Sad Angel" was also performed on Fleetwood Mac's 2013 World Tour, Fleetwood Mac Live.
Reception
Dave Lifton of Ultimate Classic Rock gave the song 7/10. While praising the rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, he felt that Stevie Nicks' vocals were lacking, with her trademark personality absent. "...For a band that has traded so frequently on the duo's history together, "Sad Angel" doesn't offer much in the way of tension between its two lead singers."
IGN gave the song a 9.8, complimenting both the instrumentation and harmonies, labeling it as the highlight of the EP, along with "Miss Fantasy". Buckingham's electric guitar playing was praised, giving the song "a good deal of momentum", and the instrumentation in general "upbeat and superb". Both Lindsey's and Stevie's vocals were also considered strong, providing the song with their perfect trademark harmony. "Judging by this track, one could say that life has been good to Fleetwood Mac, specifically Buckingham and Nicks. A bright spot and possibly the highlight of their musicianship from the past 15 years or so…"