The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
It was a cold and wet December day
When we touched the ground at JFK
Snow was melting on the ground
On BLS I heard the sound
Of an angel
New York, like a Christmas tree
Tonight this city belongs to me
Angel
Soul love, this love won't let me go
So long, angel of Harlem
Birdland on fifty three
The street sounds like a symphony
We got John Coltrane and a love supreme
Miles, and she's got to be an angel
Lady Day got diamond eyes
She sees the truth behind the lies
Angel
Soul love this love won't let me go
So long angel of Harlem
Angel of Harlem
She says it's heart, heart and soul
Yeah yeah (yeah)
Yeah yeah (right now)
Blue light on the avenue
God knows they got to you
An empty glass, the lady sings
Eyes swollen like a bee sting
Blinded you lost your way
Through the side streets and the alleyway
Like a star exploding in the night
Falling to the city in broad daylight
An angel in Devil's shoes
Salvation in the blues
You never looked like an angel
Yeah yeah angel of Harlem
Angel angel of Harlem
Angel angel of Harlem
Angel angel of Harlem
Angel angel of Harlem
When we touched the ground at JFK
Snow was melting on the ground
On BLS I heard the sound
Of an angel
New York, like a Christmas tree
Tonight this city belongs to me
Angel
Soul love, this love won't let me go
So long, angel of Harlem
Birdland on fifty three
The street sounds like a symphony
We got John Coltrane and a love supreme
Miles, and she's got to be an angel
Lady Day got diamond eyes
She sees the truth behind the lies
Angel
Soul love this love won't let me go
So long angel of Harlem
Angel of Harlem
She says it's heart, heart and soul
Yeah yeah (yeah)
Yeah yeah (right now)
Blue light on the avenue
God knows they got to you
An empty glass, the lady sings
Eyes swollen like a bee sting
Blinded you lost your way
Through the side streets and the alleyway
Like a star exploding in the night
Falling to the city in broad daylight
An angel in Devil's shoes
Salvation in the blues
You never looked like an angel
Yeah yeah angel of Harlem
Angel angel of Harlem
Angel angel of Harlem
Angel angel of Harlem
Angel angel of Harlem
Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira
Angel of Harlem Lyrics as written by David Evans Adam Clayton
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I am sure that there is a certain deeper meaning in this song but here is mine (And sorry, for me it is the best):
2002 and two I went to NY and been to Harlem. Friend lives there and at night we have been to a party. Met a girl and I think I felt in love with her. We had "something" for 5 days and so she is still in my mind as my "Angel of Harlem". And beleive me she still ist.
Today we are just writing E-Mails. I am from Europe, so - long way. But always when I hear that song it makes me.................
Jamila, if you ever read this, this is your song - I hope th others don´t mind.