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Angel of the Morning

"Angel of the Morning" is a popular song written by Chip Taylor, originally recorded by Evie Sands but which first charted with a version by Merrilee Rush. The song has been covered by many artists including Chrissie Hynde, Dusty Springfield, P. P. Arnold, Connie Eaton, Mary Mason, Guys 'n' Dolls, Melba Montgomery, Olivia Newton-John and most recognizably by Juice Newton.

"Angel of the Morning"

"Dear John"

1967

3:19

Origin and early recordings[edit]

The song was composed in 1967 by Chip Taylor, who said of it: "I wrote 'Angel of the Morning' after hearing the Rolling Stones song 'Ruby Tuesday' on the car radio when I was driving into New York City. I wanted to capture that kind of passion."[1]


"Angel of the Morning" was originally offered to Connie Francis, but she turned it down because she thought that the lyrical message was too risqué for her image.[2]


Taylor produced the first recording of the song with Evie Sands, but the financial straits of Cameo-Parkway Records, which had Sands on their roster, led to a highly limited single release and no promotion.


The second recording was by UK vocalist Billie Davis, made in 1967 by Danny Michaels for Lee Hazlewood's LHI label. P.P. Arnold provided backup vocals for that version and later released a version herself.

"Angel of the Morning"

"Reap What You Sow"

February 7, 1968

January 1968

American Sound Studios, Memphis

2:58

"Headin' for a Heartache"

February 1981

September 4, 1980

4:10
3:57 (7-inch)

Capitol 4976

In 1972, Taylor released a version on Buddah 325. It reached No. 101 in the Record World survey.

In 1999, a version by Taylor appeared on the fundraiser CD Broadcasts Vol. 7.[42]

KGSR

The version of the song is featured in the opening credits scene of the 2016 film Deadpool. The sweet melody is an ironic contrast to the visual violence in the freeze-framed action scene. [43] It is also featured in the ending scene and into the ending credits of the 2020 film Promising Young Woman[44] and in the 2007 film Charlie Wilson's War.

Juice Newton

The version of the song is featured in the soundtrack of the films Girl, Interrupted (as noted above) and Violet and Daisy, as well as in the NBC Television series The Blacklist.[45]

Merrilee Rush

The song was performed live by in a 1995 episode of Friends, titled "The One with the Baby on the Bus," and that version also appears in that show's soundtrack album. Though released as a single, it did not chart.

Chrissie Hynde

The song plays a central role in 's 2016 novel The Best of Adam Sharp.[46]

Graeme Simsion

The "Kid Cave" commercial, aired from late 2010, featured a young boy who is embarrassed by his parents's singing of the song while he is riding with them in a car.[47]

Toyota Highlander

List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1960s

List of number-one singles in 1968 (New Zealand)

List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1981 (U.S.)

Discogs

Newton 1981 U.S. single release info