Saturday, October 13, 2012

Tune Time - In The Arms Of An Angel

This 1998 release by Sarah McLachlan originally appeared on her 1997 album Surfacing. The song is about the Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player, Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin and died in 1996. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 23, 1999, #1 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, and at #36 on the UK Singles Chart.

The song has had enduring popularity; it is often used to highlight emotional scenes on television shows and has been featured in a number of soundtracks. It's also used as a song of comfort and healing.


In April 2007, it appeared in a televised appeal from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I saw it. It’s very emotional; it actually made me cry. I’ve included the animal cruelty video from the BCSPCA, which is similar. If you have the emotional backbone, watch it. Just click on the play button below. Personally, I can’t click the stop button fast enough. Watching the whole thing in one sitting literally ruins my day.



8 comments:

  1. It is a beautiful song; Sarah McLachlan (Canadian from Nova Scotia!) is an awesome singer and songwriter. She is one of those true talents who doesn't need to be prancing about in her underwear! And no, I do not have the emotional backbone to watch even a few seconds of that appeal; it will definitely make my cry. I was just subject to a whole slew of slaughterhouse photos on Facebook -- my heart aches for all the cruelty in the world, and all its voiceless victims.

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    1. That emotional backbone is getting weaker as I get older. I literally crumble when I watch these things, and it's getting worse as I get older.

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  2. I've always liked that song, but didn't know the backstory before. Thanks!

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    1. Neither did I until I looked up some infor for this song. Quite interesting...

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  3. It is a beautiful song but like you, I cannot watch that video. It is so sad because we know that it is true.
    Good post, as always.

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    1. Yes, it really is sad, Kay, because it's so true. Breaks my heart.

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  4. I can't stand animal cruelty. They abusers just need to be shot. Literally. At the least they need the same thing done to them that they did to the animals.

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    1. I agree completely with you, WebDebris. Acts like that absolutely infuriate me, and I would have no sympathy for the abusers if something horrible should happen to them.

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