"Angel" is a song written and composed by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, who is its sole writer. It first appeared on her fourth studio album, Surfacing (1997), where it was recorded in D-flat major and is usually played in D major live. It was one of the first songs written for the album and came together in about three hours. The sparse arrangement features McLachlan on piano, Pierre Marchand on drum machine and Jim Creeggan of Barenaked Ladies on upright bass. Released as the album's fourth and final single on 28 September 1998, it was also featured in the film City of Angels and its soundtrack album.
In the United States it peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999 and spent 12 weeks at number 1 on Hot Adult Contemporary, the top adult contemporary song of that year. It reached the top ten in Canada, Ireland and Norway and was certified gold in the United Kingdom and the United States. Live duets include versions with Carlos Santana and Josh Groban. CBC critic Vivian Rashotte called it the unofficial anthem of mourning after the death of Princess Diana, the Columbine shootings and 9/11, and it is often played at funerals and memorials.
