Where Angels Hang Around

Album: Sunset Man (2007)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song Otto visits the emotions a parent prays never to experience in a tribute to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis.
  • Otto co-wrote this touching ballad with Monty Criswell. He told AOL's The Boot about the story behind the song: "That song was written about a friend of Monty's whose child was diagnosed with cancer. He asked me if it was something that would be too heavy to write about. I related it to my mother-in-law [who had] breast cancer and how it affected me -- I was so afraid when it happened. You put it in reverse and go, 'How hard would it be to see your child go through cancer?' It's horrible. I can't imagine anything worse. So we tried to put ourselves in the position of being a father, what would you be going through. I ended up going to St Jude [Children's Research Hospital] a few years later and got to know some of the kids and doctors and see what they do there. I really found a reason to put the song on my record while I was there. I didn't have any experience with it necessarily until then, so it really took hold there."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?