Marlena Houck
Professor Christopher Schmersahl
ENC 1101
9/18/14
Appreciating Art: Rough Draft “In the Arms of an Angel” by Sarah McLachlan is one of the most beautiful and moving songs that has ever been sung. It has proven to be a remarkable piece of art since its release in 1997 because of its enduring use in many different settings. It is delivered in an attention getting manner with simple melodic tones and little background music. Most importantly, it has touched the hearts of countless people all over the world. Due to its flexibility of being interpreted in many ways, it has made a profound impact to all those who need a measure of comfort. As with most beautiful pieces of art, it is enduring the test of time since its release in …show more content…
Although, it has different meanings to different people, the common link is a powerful and profound effect on the listener of an emotional response. The various interpretations of the lyrics include the loss of a loved one, whether through sickness, accident, suicide, drug overdose, the loss of a pet, struggles with drugs, eating disorders, anorexia, cutting and so much more. The listener interprets the song in a way that is pertinent to their life experiences. The song is a remarkable piece of art because whatever the person’s own circumstance, the lyrics and melody is powerful and touching to each one of them. …show more content…
While most people find comfort in envisioning their loved ones at peace in the arms of an angel, Ms. McLachlan reports that the song is about musicians who struggle with issues of life on the road, feeling lost, and always needing to be a creative force. To her, the “angel” is the heroin that the musician turns to which gives him some peace at first but then takes his life (VH1 Storytellers). During a Reddit AMA, McLachan said that she doesn’t mind that it gets used in so many different ways. “I think once an artist puts a song out there, it becomes open to interpretation, and I purposefully leave a certain amount of ambiguity in songs to that people can relate the songs to themselves and to their stories,” she said. What makes “Angel” a work of art is that it can stand on its own with each person’s impression of the song. It is not simply a song about drug addiction, or it would not have withstood the test of time as it
Professor Christopher Schmersahl
ENC 1101
9/18/14
Appreciating Art: Rough Draft “In the Arms of an Angel” by Sarah McLachlan is one of the most beautiful and moving songs that has ever been sung. It has proven to be a remarkable piece of art since its release in 1997 because of its enduring use in many different settings. It is delivered in an attention getting manner with simple melodic tones and little background music. Most importantly, it has touched the hearts of countless people all over the world. Due to its flexibility of being interpreted in many ways, it has made a profound impact to all those who need a measure of comfort. As with most beautiful pieces of art, it is enduring the test of time since its release in …show more content…
Although, it has different meanings to different people, the common link is a powerful and profound effect on the listener of an emotional response. The various interpretations of the lyrics include the loss of a loved one, whether through sickness, accident, suicide, drug overdose, the loss of a pet, struggles with drugs, eating disorders, anorexia, cutting and so much more. The listener interprets the song in a way that is pertinent to their life experiences. The song is a remarkable piece of art because whatever the person’s own circumstance, the lyrics and melody is powerful and touching to each one of them. …show more content…
While most people find comfort in envisioning their loved ones at peace in the arms of an angel, Ms. McLachlan reports that the song is about musicians who struggle with issues of life on the road, feeling lost, and always needing to be a creative force. To her, the “angel” is the heroin that the musician turns to which gives him some peace at first but then takes his life (VH1 Storytellers). During a Reddit AMA, McLachan said that she doesn’t mind that it gets used in so many different ways. “I think once an artist puts a song out there, it becomes open to interpretation, and I purposefully leave a certain amount of ambiguity in songs to that people can relate the songs to themselves and to their stories,” she said. What makes “Angel” a work of art is that it can stand on its own with each person’s impression of the song. It is not simply a song about drug addiction, or it would not have withstood the test of time as it