Cowboys And Angels
Encyclopedia
"Cowboys and Angels" is a song written and performed by George Michael
and released on Epic Records
in 1991. Among other things, the song is notable for being written in Waltz time.
Although it was critically acclaimed as a masterful piece of low-tempo mood and melody
, it became the first—and, as of 2008, only single released by Michael in his career that did not make the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart
. It peaked at #45 on release in March 1991.
The song's lowly sales figures were not a surprise as it was the fifth single to be released from the Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 album. (Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in the UK on September 3, 1990 and in the US on September 11, 1990.) Each single had finished lower than its predecessor and "Cowboys and Angels" continued the spiral, although the other four had all made the threshold of the Top 40.
"Cowboys and Angels" was also Michael's longest single to date, at 7 minutes 14 seconds. A shorter version (4:34) omits, as well as other parts, the piano introduction.
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
and released on Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
in 1991. Among other things, the song is notable for being written in Waltz time.
Although it was critically acclaimed as a masterful piece of low-tempo mood and melody
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
, it became the first—and, as of 2008, only single released by Michael in his career that did not make the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. It peaked at #45 on release in March 1991.
The song's lowly sales figures were not a surprise as it was the fifth single to be released from the Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 album. (Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in the UK on September 3, 1990 and in the US on September 11, 1990.) Each single had finished lower than its predecessor and "Cowboys and Angels" continued the spiral, although the other four had all made the threshold of the Top 40.
"Cowboys and Angels" was also Michael's longest single to date, at 7 minutes 14 seconds. A shorter version (4:34) omits, as well as other parts, the piano introduction.
Charts
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Singles Chart Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
15 |
| French Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
18 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
15 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
45 |