I'm No Angel (song)
Encyclopedia
"I'm No Angel" is a 1987 single, written by Tony Colton and Phil Palmer
and recorded by Gregg Allman
, during the course of performing with the Gregg Allman Band
. The song is the title track to the Gregg Allman Band album that was released on Epic Records
in 1986.
The song was an unexpected hit, reaching Number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100
, plus gaining heavy album-oriented rock
airplay and reaching Number 1 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart.
Frequently interpreted to be semi-autobiographical, "I'm No Angel" featured Allman's gruff vocals in a Bruce Springsteen
sound alike way, New Orleans music-based statement of boasting yet acknowledging of fault-strewn purpose:
Laden with 1980s production touches from Rodney Mills
such as heavy keyboards and drums, the record helped revive Allman's image to the pop and rock world, and may have even indirectly contributed to The Allman Brothers Band
's successful reformation two years later.
Ironically, one of the people Allman had most not been an angel with, his former wife Cher
, immediately identified with the song as well, and performed it in the high-profile opening slot of her 1989-1990 Heart of Stone Tour
.
In subsequent years, "I'm No Angel" has been part of Allman's solo concert repertoire, and has also been played by The Allman Brothers Band, with most of the pop gloss of the original recording eliminated.
Phil Palmer
Philip 'Phil' John Palmer is a sideman and session guitarist in jazz and rock who has toured, recorded, and worked with numerous famous artists...
and recorded by Gregg Allman
Gregg Allman
Gregory Lenoir Allman , known as Gregg Allman, is a rock and blues singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter, and a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. He was inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia...
, during the course of performing with the Gregg Allman Band
Gregg Allman Band
The Gregg Allman Band, also known as Gregg Allman & Friends, is a Southern rock/blues rock group that Gregg Allman established and has led since the 1970s, during periods when Allman has been recording and performing separate from the Allman Brothers Band and has chosen not to perform exclusively...
. The song is the title track to the Gregg Allman Band album that was 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 1986.
The song was an unexpected hit, reaching Number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, plus gaining heavy album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists.-Music played:Most radio formats are based on a select, tight rotation of hit singles...
airplay and reaching Number 1 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart.
Frequently interpreted to be semi-autobiographical, "I'm No Angel" featured Allman's gruff vocals in a Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
sound alike way, New Orleans music-based statement of boasting yet acknowledging of fault-strewn purpose:
- No, I'm no angel, no I'm no stranger to the street
- I`ve got my label, so I won't crumble at your feet
- And I know baby, so I've got scars upon my cheek
- And I'm half crazy, come on and love me baby ...
Laden with 1980s production touches from Rodney Mills
Rodney Mills
Rodney Mills is an American mastering engineer in Atlanta, Georgia.He has been involved in the music industry for over 40 years and has earned over 50 gold and platinum records for engineering, producing, and mastering.- Biography :...
such as heavy keyboards and drums, the record helped revive Allman's image to the pop and rock world, and may have even indirectly contributed to The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is an American rock/blues band once based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman , who were supported by Dickey Betts , Berry Oakley , Butch Trucks , and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe"...
's successful reformation two years later.
Ironically, one of the people Allman had most not been an angel with, his former wife Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
, immediately identified with the song as well, and performed it in the high-profile opening slot of her 1989-1990 Heart of Stone Tour
Heart of Stone Tour
The Heart of Stone Tour is the fourth concert tour by American singer-actress Cher. The tour supported her twenty-first studio album, Heart of Stone. A mini tour was set up in the summer 1989, and a second leg started in 1990...
.
In subsequent years, "I'm No Angel" has been part of Allman's solo concert repertoire, and has also been played by The Allman Brothers Band, with most of the pop gloss of the original recording eliminated.