Angel in Disguise (Brandy song)

Last updated
"Angel in Disguise"
Promotional single by Brandy
from the album Never Say Never
ReleasedJanuary 21, 1999 (1999-01-21)
Studio Pacifique Recording Studios
Genre R&B
Length4:48
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Rodney Jerkins
  • Brandy
Brandy singles chronology
"Have You Ever?"
(1998)		"Angel in Disguise"
(1999)		"Almost Doesn't Count"
(1999)
Audio video
"Angel in Disguise" on YouTube

"Angel in Disguise" is a song recorded by American singer Brandy for her second studio album Never Say Never (1998). It was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Traci Hale, and Tye-V Turman, and was produced by Jerkins along with Brandy. The song was recorded and mixed by audio engineer Dave Way at the Pacifique Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California and features prominent backing vocals by singer Joe.

Contents

"Angel in Disguise" was well received by music critics. Billboard described it as "outstanding" and "spectacular" and said it would effectively shoot down all preconceived notions that Norwood only made bubblegum pop. The song was at one stage intended to be released as a single from Never Say Never but these plans did not materialize. It was instead released as a promo single on the North American music market on January 21, 1999.

The song peaked at number 72 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It became Brandy's first song to chart without an actual single release or a video. On the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart the song peaked at number 17, becoming Brandy's 8th consecutive top twenty song.

Background and recording

After starting her career as an actress in the short-lived television series Thea in 1993, the then fourteen-year-old Brandy Norwood began work on her self-titled debut album launched by Atlantic Records in 1994. The album sold platinum in the US and made Norwood one of the 50 biggest and most successful teenage stars in music history. [1] The following year, she chose to resume her acting career and took a break from music. Fearing not being able to match the debut album's success, Norwood was unsure if she wanted to continue her music career. Driven by Atlantic and her manager, she began working on her second studio album Never Say Never in 1997. She chose to work with completely different music producers than on the debut and wrote several of the album's lyrics. [2]

"Angel in Disguise" was written by LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Isaac Philips, Nycolia Turman, and Traci Haleett. It was produced by Rodney Jerkins and Norwood and recorded by Ken Deranteriasian and Victor McCoy at Pacifique Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California. Daniels arranged the background song of the song, which was recorded by Norwood. "Angel in Disguise" also has a background song performed by the American singer Joe which consists of a looped verse where he sings "And I love you baby".Never Say Never but after Norwood heard the production and sampling with Joe, she wanted to make it a whole song. In an interview with Complex Magazine in 2012, she said: "'Angel in Disguise' is one of my absolute favorites. When I heard it, I said 'Oh my God. Are there really songs like this?' [...] At first it was only meant as an intro but I said 'Are you crazy, we have to make this a real song'." [3]

Composition and lyrics

"Angel in Disguise" is a slow-paced R&B song. It has a total playing time of four minutes and forty-eight seconds. It consists of a "dribbling bass line" that Chuck Taylor of Billboard compared to a "dreamlike, moonlit night". [4] The harmonic background song, created using the so-called multi-track recording, was described as "enchanting" and "seductive". [4] The lyrics of "Angel in Disguise" describe that the performer still loves her partner despite his infidelity. Norwood quoted: "An angel in disguise she was / But somehow you fell for her / Till she broke your heart that day / And left you in the rain / But still I love you". [5]

Release and critical reception

Janet Tour.jpg
Aaliyah-08.jpg
Music critics noted that "Angel in Disguise" was influenced by Janet Jackson (left) and compared it to Aaliyah's (right) "One in a Million" (1996).

In 1998, Never Say Never was certified triple platinum by the RIAA and sold three million copies in the United States. Her first two singles from the album were "The Boy Is Mine", a duet with Monica, and "Top of the World" with rapper Mase as the guest artist. Both of these songs were commercially successful and the former was thirteen weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list. In early 1999, Atlantic Records planned to release "Angel In Disguise" as the third single from Never Say Never. The plans did not materialize when Atlantic considered the power ballad "Have You Ever? "was a safer card when it was written by the well-known lyricist Diane Warren and was already in great demand on the radio. [6] " Angel in Disguise "was instead released as a promo single on January 21, 1999. The song was printed on 12" vinyl singles with the album mix, two acapella versions and an instrumental version. [7]

"Angel in Disguise" was praised by music critics. Chuck Taylor of Billboard wrote that the song was a "spectacular and funky mid-tempo production that borrows ingredients from Janet Jackson's creative pantry." He said the song would effectively shoot down any preconceived notion that Norwood was just bubblegum pop and continued: "This is the kind of song that attacks as soon as it comes out of the speakers and is one of the most unique and provocative songs to date of this teenage sensation." [4] Thomas Inskeep at Stylus Magazine described "Angel in Disguise" as "ridiculously good" and then went on to say: "It's definitely one of my Brandy favorites and a classic Darkchild production. In five, six years, some great, successful artist will, with great certainty, "Hopefully the song can then have a chance to be as big as it deserves to be." [8] Daryl Easlea, writer for the British website BBC Music, was positive about Never Say Never as a whole and wrote that "Angel in Disguise" was "loaded with emotion" thanks to her gospel-trained voices. [9] Aamir Yaqub from the British website Soul Culturewrote that Norwood's voice for the most part sounded restrained. He wrote: "The lyrics speak of betrayal and the pain that Brandy feels when her fears come true. Brandy emphasizes passion and longing with her artificial song that is instantly recognizable." [10]

A writer at Epinions compared the song's drum production to Aaliyah's "One in a Million", written and produced by Timbaland. The writer continued his review by writing: "The album begins with tasteful 'Angel in Disguise' which has a touch of adult sensuality. It feels familiar as it has the same beat that made Timbaland famous a few years ago." [11] The Spokesman wrote: "Brandy is obviously not Moesha but she lets a bit of that innocent character be heard on her record. Her young age and hence confusion towards love shines through on 'U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)', the funky 'Happy' and 'Angel in Disguise'." [12]

Commercial performance

"Angel in Disguise" was released during the period when Norwood's popularity was at its peak. Without any music video or marketing of Atlantic, the song became a success on American radio. [13] By November 21, 1998, several months before the song's official release date, it had reached a radio audience of over 22 million listeners. [13] It reached tenth place on 28 November 1998, which became its top position on the list. [14] The song entered Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs on January 23, 1999, where it peaked at number 17, becoming Norwood's eighth consecutive top 20 entry. [15] The song was ranked nineteenth in the Top 20 Jet Songs by Jet Magazine. [16]

Track listings

US 12" singles [17] [18]
No.TitleLength
1."Angel in Disguise" (Album Mix)4:48
2."Angel in Disguise" (Percapella)n/a
3."Angel in Disguise" (Instrumental)n/a
4."Angel in Disguise" (Acapella)n/a

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Never Say Never. [5]

Charts

Related Research Articles

<i>Afrodisiac</i> (Brandy album) 2004 studio album by Brandy

Afrodisiac is the fourth studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on June 25, 2004, by Atlantic Records. The album was recorded primarily in Los Angeles between spring 2003 and early 2004, following several major changes in Brandy's personal and professional life. After giving birth to her daughter and the demise of her relationship with Big Bert, Brandy's team was given an overhaul, including changes in production, management, and A&R. The album marked a departure from her previous work, with Brandy collaborating with producer Timbaland and songwriter Candice Nelson on the majority of the album's composition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney Jerkins</span> American record producer, rapper, and songwriter

Rodney Roy Jerkins, also known by his stage name Darkchild, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has collaborated with a broad range of popular artists.

<i>Full Moon</i> (Brandy album) 2002 studio album by Brandy

Full Moon is the third studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released by Atlantic Records on March 5, 2002 in the United States. The album was recorded primarily during the summer and fall of 2001 at the Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, amid a three-year musical hiatus following the success of her multi-platinum previous studio album Never Say Never (1998) and the finale of her highly successful television sitcom Moesha in May 2001. As with Never Say Never, Brandy collaborated with producer Rodney Jerkins and his Darkchild production and songwriting team on the majority of the album's composition, while Mike City, Warryn Campbell, and Keith Crouch contributed additional production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boy Is Mine (Brandy and Monica song)</span> 1998 duet single by Brandy and Monica

"The Boy Is Mine" is a duet by American singers Brandy and Monica. It was written by LaShawn Daniels, Japhe Tejeda, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Brandy, while production was helmed by Jerkins, Brandy, and Dallas Austin. It was released as the lead single from both singers' second albums from 1998, Never Say Never by Brandy and the album of the same name by Monica. Inspired by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney's 1982 duet "The Girl Is Mine", the lyrics of the mid-tempo R&B track revolve around two women fighting over a man.

LaShawn Ameen Daniels was an American songwriter, vocal producer and arranger. Often in tandem with producer Rodney Jerkins, he is known for his songwriting work for R&B singers such as Brandy, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Tamar Braxton, Toni Braxton, Jennifer Lopez, Ciara, and Whitney Houston, among others. Daniels won a Grammy Award—from nine nominations—for his work on Destiny's Child's 1999 single "Say My Name", which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Is She 2 U</span> 2005 single by Brandy

"Who Is She 2 U" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood from her fourth studio album, Afrodisiac (2004). It was written by Candice Nelson, Walter Millsap III and Timbaland, and produced by the latter. The song is built around a sample of "Instant Love" (1977) by American singer Leon Ware. Due to the inclusion of the sample, he and Jacqueline Hilliard are also credited as songwriters. Based on true events, the song describes a woman who is suspicious about her mate's awkward behavior around a seemingly unfamiliar woman. The dramatic up-tempo incorporates piano keys, flutes, chamber pop string melodies and go-go drum programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What About Us? (Brandy song)</span> 2002 single by Brandy

"What About Us?" is a song by American singer Brandy from her third studio album, Full Moon (2002). It was written by LaShawn Daniels, Rodney Jerkins, Kenisha Pratt, Nora Payne and Norwood, featuring main production by Jerkins. An offbeat, aggressive high-tech track, the song's development was motivated by the fact that the singer wanted something different–an aggressive, sexier and edgier sound with a message which would empower women while also reflecting her own growth and maturity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Full Moon (Brandy song)</span> 2002 single by Brandy

"Full Moon" is a song recorded by American singer Brandy for her third studio album of the same title (2002). A breakaway from Rodney Jerkins' dominating influence on the album, it was written and produced by Mike City, one of the few producers Norwood worked with on Full Moon apart from Jerkins and his production and songwriting crew. Described by Norwood as "ghetto", the track is an R&B and pop song with a simple, piano-led production. Lyrically, the song follows Norwood as she experiences love at first sight in a nightclub, whose circumstances she attributes to a full moon night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Top of the World (Brandy song)</span> 1998 single by Brandy

"Top of the World" is a song by American singer Brandy Norwood, from her second studio album, Never Say Never (1998). The song was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Isaac Phillips, Nycolia "Tye-V" Turman, and Mason Betha, with Darkchild and Norwood producing and Mase having featured vocals. Released as the album's second international single in 1998, the track peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and reached the top 20 in Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Have You Ever?</span> 1998 single by Brandy

"Have You Ever?" is a song by American recording artist Brandy for her second studio album, Never Say Never (1998). The song was written by Diane Warren, while production was handled by David Foster. It was released as the album's third single by Atlantic Records in October 1998. The song became Norwood's second song to reach the top position on the US Billboard Hot 100, following the worldwide chart-topping of "The Boy Is Mine". The former further reached number one in New Zealand, number two in Iceland, number eight in Australia, and the top 30 in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Almost Doesn't Count</span> 1999 single by Brandy

"Almost Doesn't Count" is a song by American singer Brandy Norwood. It was written by Shelly Peiken and Guy Roche and recorded by Norwood for her second studio album, Never Say Never (1998). Atlantic Records consulted Fred Jerkins III to recut the song to be more consistent with the overall sound of the album. He would subsequently share production credit along with Roche. A pop and R&B-ballad combining elements of country, it incorporates Latin flavored riffs. The song's lyrics are based on an on-again, off-again relationship that Peiken had experienced during her college years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)</span> 1999 single by Brandy

"U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written by Isaac Phillips, Paris Davis, Sean Bryant, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Norwood for her second studio album Never Say Never (1998). Production was handled by Jerkins, with additional production from Norwood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandy discography</span>

American singer Brandy Norwood entered the music business as a backing vocalist for R&B boy bands such as Immature, prior to launching her own career in 1994. Her discography, as a solo artist, includes eight studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play, 42 singles, 46 album appearances and 26 soundtrack appearances. Norwood has sold over 8.6 million albums in the United States, and more than 40 million records worldwide. Additionally, she has won over 100 awards as a recording artist. In 1999, Billboard ranked Norwood among the top 20 of the Top Pop Artists of the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Eyez on Me (Monica song)</span> 2002 single by Monica

"All Eyez on Me" is a song by American singer Monica. It was written in collaboration with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and LaShawn Daniels for her original third studio album of the same name, while production was helmed by the former. The song incorporates excerpts of "P.Y.T. " (1983) by American singer Michael Jackson. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Quincy Jones and James Ingram are also credited as songwriters. A lighthearted party jam that is built on a danceable groove, "All Eyez on Me" talks about self-confidence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Say Never (Brandy song)</span> 2000 promotional single by Brandy

"Never Say Never" is a song recorded by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. The song was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Japhe Tejeda, Rick Williams, and Norwood for her same-titled second studio album, released in 1998, featuring main production by Jerkins and additional production by Norwood. The song was released along with "U Don't Know Me " as a promotional single in German-speaking Europe only in 2000, where it failed to chart or sell noticeably.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Right Here (Departed)</span> 2008 single by Brandy

"Right Here (Departed)" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and The Writing Camp members Evan "Kidd" Bogart, Victoria Horn, Erika Nuri, and David "DQ" Quiñones and produced by Jerkins for her fifth studio album, Human (2008). Not recorded until late into the production of the album, it set much of the tone for the final Human track listing as it was the first out of several new songs Norwood and Jerkins recorded together following his absence on her previous album Afrodisiac (2004). Its lyrics chronicle a woman's talks about mutual support with loved ones.

<i>Human</i> (Brandy album) 2008 studio album by Brandy

Human is the fifth studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on December 5, 2008 by Epic Records, Knockout Entertainment and Koch Records. The album was Norwood's debut Epic Records release, following her split with Atlantic Records in 2005, and her reunion with longtime collaborator and mentor Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, who executively produced and wrote most of the album with his songwriting collective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Distance (song)</span> 2008 single by Brandy

"Long Distance" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Jeff Bhasker, and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and was co-produced by Jerkins and Mars for her fifth studio album Human (2008) based on a demo by Mars. It appears as the seventh track on the album on which it is interluded by a telephone conversation between two lovers. The lyrics of the piano–led power ballad describe the protagonist's emotional state towards an ongoing long-distance relationship, which leaves her in depression.

<i>Two Eleven</i> 2012 studio album by Brandy

Two Eleven is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Brandy. Released on October 16, 2012, it served as the singer's debut release with Chameleon Entertainment and RCA Records after departing from Epic Records soon after releasing her previous album, Human (2008). The album's title is taken from Norwood's birthday; it is also the day on which her idol and friend, entertainer Whitney Houston died eight months before Two Eleven's release.

<i>Never Say Never</i> (Brandy album) 1998 studio album by Brandy

Never Say Never is the second studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on June 9, 1998, by Atlantic Records. Atlantic consulted David Foster, as well as producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and his team to work with Norwood on the record; Jerkins went on to craft the majority of the album and would evolve as Norwood's mentor and head producer on her succeeding projects.

References

  1. ↑ "The Top 50 R&B / Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  2. ↑ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1998-04-25.
  3. ↑ "Brandy Tells All: The Stories Behind Her Classic Records". Complex. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  4. 1 2 3 Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1999-01-30.
  5. 1 2 Brandy Norwood (1998). Never Say Never (Media notes). Atlantic Records.
  6. ↑ Daniels 1999 , pp. 43
  7. ↑ "Brandy – Angel In Disguise". Discogs . Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Brandy - The Best of Brandy - Review - Stylus Magazine". Archived from the original on 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  9. ↑ Easlea, Daryl. "BBC - Music - Review of Brandy - Never Say Never". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  10. ↑ Yaqub, Aamir (14 February 2011). "Brandy – Never Say Never (1998)". soulculture.com. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  11. ↑ "A Teen R&B Queen On Top of the World: Brandy's "Never Say Never" - - …". archive.vn. 2013-04-25. Archived from the original on 2013-04-25. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  12. ↑ "The Spokesman-Review - Google News Archive Search". news.google.de. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  13. 1 2 Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1998-11-21.
  14. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  15. ↑ "Brandy Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015.
  16. ↑ Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 1999-02-22.
  17. ↑ Angel in Disguise (US CD single liner notes). Brandy. Atlantic Records. 1998. 2-84198.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ Brandy - Angel In Disguise
  19. ↑ "Brandy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Brandy Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Brandy Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  22. ↑ "1999 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved 2012-01-27.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.