Angels of the Morning [It’s How You Tell the Story, Baby]

On By DanicaPicheIn Creative Writing & Music Mash-Up

Tell me a story, baby
Tell me something real
Tell me something true
Tell me something, baby
Tell me just from you

It’s How You Tell the Story

Welcome to another installment of It’s How You Tell the Story, Baby!  What makes a story compelling?  It’s in the telling.

Angel of the Morning

Today’s feature song is “Angel of the Morning” written by Chip Taylor in 1967 (possibly earlier).  That’s right, this well-known woman’s song was penned by a man.

“Angel of the Morning” has been recorded many, many times across musical genres and languages.  Too many to catalogue here.  The first to hit the charts with it was Merrilee Rush & The Turnabouts in 1968.

I’m including a mix of well- and lesser-known versions for your listening pleasure:  Merrilee Rush & The Turnabouts; Juice Newton; Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders; Joya Landis; Nina Simone; Dusty Springfield; Olivia Newton-John; Bonnie Tyler; Liliane Saint-Pierre; and, finally, Chip Taylor himself.  Each performance brings a different element to the song.

Enjoy!

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Merrilee Rush & The Turnabouts, 1968:

[Video posted to youtube by user WABCRADIO77.]

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Juice Newton, 1981:

[Video posted to youtube by user Clay Culver.]

~~~

Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders, 1995:

[Video posted to youtube by user Gladia.]

~~~

Joya Landis, 1968:

[Video posted to youtube by user RaSagi D.]

~~~

Nina Simone, 1971:

[Video posted to youtube by user Moriyama Sakiko.]

~~~

Dusty Springfield, 1969:

[Video posted to youtube by user francis bacon.]

~~~

Olivia Newton-John, 1973:

[Video posted to youtube by user tomhaw lin.]

~~~

Bonnie Tyler, 1998:

[Video posted to youtube by user Kevin Taylor.]

~~~

Liliane Saint-Pierre‘s “Au revoir et à demain”, 1967 (in French).

[Video posted to youtube by user Libalapal.]

~~~

Finally, here is Chip Taylor performing one of his most famous songs, 1971:

[Video posted to youtube by user the winner.]

~~~

Which is your favorite(s)?

Mine would be a toss-up between Dusty Springfield and Chrissie Hynde/Pretenders… Juice Newton’s version has a dreamy quality that appeals, and Chip Taylor’s performance is intriguing.  I also like Joya Landis’ version and Nina Simone’s voice works beautifully.

Now that I’ve narrowed it down… 🙂

Over to you, beautiful people!

~~~

26 thoughts on “Angels of the Morning [It’s How You Tell the Story, Baby]”

  2. Some interesting versions of the song but I’ve always preferred the one by Juice Newton. Probably because I had a serious crush on her back in the early 80s. How about a heavy metal version of the song. I can imagine Joan Jett belting out a version of this and it sounding very good.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You’re in very good company! Juice Newton’s version set new records.
      You have super-powers, Michael! Hank the Hedgehog’s upcoming post makes that very suggestion! I agree that Joan Jett would do a fantastic job of this one and I’d love to hear it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. J.

    Wow! That’s a lot of Angel of the Morning to get through! So, based solely on cursory listens and being aware of Dusty’s, I’d have to say that hers is my favourite. However, I dig Joya Landis’ version also (and Chip’s is nice and refrained).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. There are a lot more out there, J! It’s very popular among artists and agents. Or, was at least. We’re about due for some new versions.
      I agree with your choices. They’re all talented but there’s a special quality to Dusty’s voice and Joya Landis gets extra points for a new direction.
      I enjoyed Chip’s and it reminded me of John Prine performing his Angel from Montgomery.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. kevin

    Juice Newton’s is a sentimental favorite, as it reminds me of being a little kid, station surfing my radio. Overall, I have to go with Chrissie Hynde, who I love. What the hell is she wearing in that pic?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Now it’s my turn to confess not having heard a particular song before
    Naturally, I gravitate towards Th Pretenders and Nina Simone.
    Increase th Speed to 1.5 and Merrilee sounds funky! 🙂
    Thanks for th set, DJ Danica!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Wow, what a collection! The first, Merrilee’s, certainly brings back memories. I would have thought that version was a few years later, unless they were still playing it after Olivia’s was released. I’d never heard Nina’s before, so beautiful, and it was fun to hear the French version, as well. To me, Joya’s version is too rushed and Dusty’s (maybe just a poor recording) doesn’t sound powerful enough. I expected to like Bonnie’s better than I did. Thanks so much for sharing all these. I hadn’t realized how often that song has been recorded.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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