"Angelia" ( ayn-jə-LEE-ə) is a ballad recorded by Richard Marx and the fourth released single on his second album, Repeat Offender.
"Angelia" hit number 2 on the US Cash Box singles chart, and number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on December 2, 1989. It was also a top-40 hit in Australia and made the top 50 in the UK. On the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, "Angelia" peaked at number 2 for several weeks behind the Linda Ronstadt/Aaron Neville duet "Don't Know Much".
Contents
Background
When Marx first wrote the song, he had trouble finding the perfect female name for the title. Then during a flight, a flight attendant approached his seat and he noticed her name badge that read "Angelia", and he chose that name for the song's title.
Marx based the sound of "Angelia" on Def Leppard's 1983 album Pyromania and the 1987 album Hysteria. During recordings of "Angelia", engineer and co-producer David Cole, along with Marx, tried to copy the sounds of the guitars and drums that Def Leppard and producer Robert "Mutt" Lange had used on the band's two albums.
During a night out with Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen, Marx was told that the band attempted to emulate "Angelia" for a song that was to appear on their next album, Adrenalize. The song Def Leppard recorded with "Angelia" in mind was likely the hit "Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion)".
The production and sound of the song "Angelia" is Marx's favorite from his second album, Repeat Offender. Michael Landau played the guitar solo on the song.
Music video
The music video was directed by Michael Bay and featured actress and model Tawny Fere as Angelia.
Personnel
Richard Marx – lead and backing vocals
C. J. Vanston – keyboards, arrangements
Bruce Gaitsch – guitar
Michael Landau – guitar, guitar solo
Jim Cliff – bass
Prairie Prince – drums
Marc Russo – saxophone
Track listing
All songs written Richard Marx and produced by Marx and David Cole.
"Angelia" – 4:08
"Endless Summer Nights" [Live at the Palace Theatre] – 5:44