The song "Angel" by John Hiatt tells a story about a painful and lost love. The lyrics describe the hurt and heartache experienced by the narrator, who is unable to talk about the pain they feel. The pain is compared to a physical sensation, taking their breath away. The person they were in love with left a message on the mirror in lipstick, symbolizing a lingering reminder of the past. The narrator acknowledges that the love they had was rare and doesn't come along every day. In the chorus, the narrator refers to someone who used to call them an angel, but now that love has faded. Love has left them feeling abandoned and alone in a cold and snowy world, with their mascara running down symbolizing tears. The song also mentions a time in the narrator's past where they were given a nickname, "tookie," which they didn't mind. They express a desire for that simple nickname to have stuck with them rather than the painful pet name given to them by a lover that ended up hurting them. The song further explores the narrator's heartache, describing a moment when someone peeled away the façade of the world, leaving them breathless. The act is symbolic of a relationship breaking down and becoming cold. The mention of a skinned knee from childhood reminisces on the innocence and hope the narrator once had. The song concludes with a metaphorical reference to driving through love's angel food cake, savoring each layer and enjoying the sweetness. But ultimately, the narrator is left disappointed, realizing that the experience may have been better when it was simpler and more innocent, like when their mother let them lick the spoon while baking. Overall, "Angel" is a song that captures the pain, disappointment, and longing experienced in a lost love. It explores the complications and complexities of relationships and the nostalgia for simpler times.
