What is the meaning of the song In the arms of the angels by Sarah Mclachlan?

Question

I don't have the words to this song but I heard it on General Hospital & think it's pretty.

Answer 1

Good job, Smokeater, now how about you give Wikipedia credit for that answer that you copied word for word?

Anyway, yes, the song is about touring and how being on the road day in and day out really takes a toll on you. It was inspired by Jonathan Melvoin, the former keyboardist of the Smashing Pumpkins who tragically OD'd while doing heroin with Jimmy Chamberlain, their drummer, in 1996. Jimmy was then fired from the band. Thus began the rapid decline of The Smashing Pumpkins. He returned in 1999, but they broke up soon after.

It's an incredibly sad song, but it gives hope to those who have lost loved ones. It lets them know that their loved ones may not be with them anymore in the physical sense, but that they're "ok" and they're watching over them. Its inclusion in the movie, "City of Angels" was perfect.

Answer 2

The actual title is "Angel"....this song also appeared in the soundtrack of the movie "City of Angels".
As McLachlan explained on VH1 Storytellers, this song is about the Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin and died in 1996. McLachlan explained that there's nothing constant when you are on the road; everything becomes the same.

Here are the lyrics...

Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance
for a break that would make it okay
there's always some reason
to feel not good enough
and it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
oh beautiful release
memory seeps from my veins
let me be empty
and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

in the arms of the angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here

so tired of the straight line
and everywhere you turn
there's vultures and thieves at your back
and the storm keeps on twisting
you keep on building the lie
that you make up for all that you lack
it don't make no difference
escaping one last time
it's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

in the arms of the angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort there
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here

Answer 3

It's about drugs and finding comfort "in the arms of the angel" which is angel dust, in a cold, dark hotel room. Losing yourself by using drugs to get away from the harshness of life.

Answer 4

Songs are always interpretable in different ways. To me the song is about finding comfort when everything is spinning out of control.

Answer 5

i have never heard that song before