Angelo (song)
Encyclopedia
"Angelo" is a song by British pop group Brotherhood of Man
. Released as a single in June 1977, it became the group's second UK
number one hit.
, Lee Sheriden
and Martin Lee
and produced by Hiller, it was the band's second UK number one single (after their Eurovision
winner, Save Your Kisses for Me
the previous year), spending a single week at the top in August 1977. The song remained on the UK Chart for 12 weeks - 10 of them in the Top Ten - and was the 9th biggest selling single of the year. It was awarded a gold disc in August 1977 by the BPI
. The song also was a number one hit in Ireland
and South Africa
(for two weeks). It featured on the group's album Images
, which was released later in the year.
Despite being one of the biggest selling singles of the decade, the song has often been criticised in its similarity to "Fernando
" - an earlier single released by pop group ABBA
, who were seen as Brotherhood of Man's main competition in the UK. Member and co-writer Sheriden denies any attempts to 'copy', stating that they "were simply writing in the style of the day". Other male member and co-writer, Lee also denies the allegation, but admits that "they were pretty close".
The song tells of a shepherd
in Mexico
who falls in love
with a rich girl, but he is met with resistance from her family. Both aware that her family would never allow the union, they run away together and commit suicide
. According to co-writer Hiller, the lyrics were based on "Romeo and Juliet
- the great love story. The idea was to create a modern day Romeo and Juliet romance".
The song is sung by the two female members of the group, Sandra Stevens
and Nicky Stevens
, although Sandra sings the opening lines alone. "Angelo" was performed by the group at the Silver Jubilee Royal Variety Gala
in November 1977 in front of Queen Elizabeth II.
UK comedy group The Barron Knights parodied this song on their "Live in Trouble" single, a top ten hit in 1977.
French and German version:
All tracks written by Tony Hiller
, Lee Sheriden
and Martin Lee
Brotherhood of Man
Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s, most notably by winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me"....
. Released as a single in June 1977, it became the group's second UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
number one hit.
Background
Written by Tony HillerTony Hiller
Tony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
, Lee Sheriden
Lee Sheriden
Lee Sheriden is a British singer/songwriter and musical director, best known as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.-Early career:...
and Martin Lee
Martin Lee (singer)
Martin Lee is a singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the British pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :...
and produced by Hiller, it was the band's second UK number one single (after their Eurovision
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
winner, Save Your Kisses for Me
Save Your Kisses For Me
"Save Your Kisses for Me" was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, performed for the United Kingdom by Brotherhood of Man in The Hague, Netherlands. The lyrics and music were written by Tony Hiller, Lee Sheriden, and Martin Lee, the latter two being members of the band...
the previous year), spending a single week at the top in August 1977. The song remained on the UK Chart for 12 weeks - 10 of them in the Top Ten - and was the 9th biggest selling single of the year. It was awarded a gold disc in August 1977 by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
. The song also was a number one hit in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
(for two weeks). It featured on the group's album Images
Images (Brotherhood of Man album)
Images is the fourth album by pop group Brotherhood of Man. It was released in 1977 and featured the UK No.1 hit, "Angelo".-Background:This was the group's second album release in 1977 and was led by the single, "Angelo"...
, which was released later in the year.
Despite being one of the biggest selling singles of the decade, the song has often been criticised in its similarity to "Fernando
Fernando (song)
"Fernando" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was the group's first non-album single and was released in November 1975 through Polar Music. Lead vocals were sung by Anni-Frid Lyngstad...
" - an earlier single released by pop group ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
, who were seen as Brotherhood of Man's main competition in the UK. Member and co-writer Sheriden denies any attempts to 'copy', stating that they "were simply writing in the style of the day". Other male member and co-writer, Lee also denies the allegation, but admits that "they were pretty close".
The song tells of a shepherd
Shepherd
A shepherd is a person who tends, feeds or guards flocks of sheep.- Origins :Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations, beginning some 6,000 years ago in Asia Minor. Sheep were kept for their milk, meat and especially their wool...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
who falls in love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
with a rich girl, but he is met with resistance from her family. Both aware that her family would never allow the union, they run away together and commit suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. According to co-writer Hiller, the lyrics were based on "Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
- the great love story. The idea was to create a modern day Romeo and Juliet romance".
The song is sung by the two female members of the group, Sandra Stevens
Sandra Stevens
Sandra Stevens is a British singer and member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Sandra Stevens first entered into a singing career at the age of sixteen when she joined the club band, The Track...
and Nicky Stevens
Nicky Stevens
Nicky Stevens is a singer, famous as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Nicky Stevens began singing at an early age was classically trained. At 15 she toured the Continent as a singer performing in night clubs. Following this she went on to tour South Africa as well as clubs...
, although Sandra sings the opening lines alone. "Angelo" was performed by the group at the Silver Jubilee Royal Variety Gala
Royal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance...
in November 1977 in front of Queen Elizabeth II.
UK comedy group The Barron Knights parodied this song on their "Live in Trouble" single, a top ten hit in 1977.
Track listing
- "Angelo" (3:15)
- "All Night" (2:59)
French and German version:
- "Angelo" (3:15)
- "Circus" (3:20)
All tracks written by Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
, Lee Sheriden
Lee Sheriden
Lee Sheriden is a British singer/songwriter and musical director, best known as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.-Early career:...
and Martin Lee
Martin Lee (singer)
Martin Lee is a singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the British pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :...
Chart performance
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK | 1 |
| Ireland | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 |
| Germany | 14 |
| Belgium | 2 |
| France | 70 |
| The Netherlands | 4 |
| New Zealand | 27 |