1001 Songs Challenge #743: Calling All Angels (1991)
On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenging of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.
My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.
I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead
of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.
So long as I post everyday (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…
Jane Siberry with k.d. Lang – Calling All Angels (1991)
Calling All Angels (Jane Siberry song)
” Calling All Angels” is a song by the Canadian singer/songwriter Jane Siberry. It was featured on the soundtrack for Wim Wenders 1991 film, Until the End of the World, as well as in the final scene and on the soundtrack for the film Pay It Forward .
We’re leaving Romania today, dear reader, and taking the long flight to Canada. Beginning her career in 1981, Jane Siberry quickly gained a reputation as an excellent songwriter. When we join her in 1991 she is working on a soundtrack for Wim Wenders’ latest ilm, Until the End of the World. The song in question is Calling All Angels and to complete this recording, Siberry teamed up with fellow Canadian, k.d. lang.
Calling All Angels begins by listing the names of various saints. The track then begins in earnest with Jane Siberry singing the
verses while Lang supports her with the choruses. The song seems to concern a series of individuals who are struggling in life for different reasons and have challenges to overcome. The refrain with the chorus is this suggestion that if you believe in them then spirits/angels will appear to us and we can interact with them. They will be by our sides for as long as we need them. Probably best to not monopolise their time too much. I am sure they are busy.
I wasn’t familiar with Jane Siberry prior to this challenge but I have come cross k.d. Lang’s earlier work. Calling All Angels was a pleasant enough song with a splendid guitar while Siberry and Lang work well in the vocal stakes. Now in her sixties, Siberry continues to perform and work on new material.
Favourite songs so far:
The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)
Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)
The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)
Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)
Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (1978)
The Smiths – How Soon Is Now? (1984)
Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)
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All is Ephemeral
My name is Dave and I live in Yorkshire in the north of England and have been here all my life. I hope you enjoy your visit to All is Ephemeral.
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