"Angel" is a pop song performed by Natasha Bedingfield for her second North American album Pocketful of Sunshine. It was released as the album's third single in North America on August 11, 2008. The song was produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, hence the "Darkchild forever" line at the beginning of the song.
The song utilizes a prominent spelling out of the word 'angel' as its hook. In the song, Bedingfield sings of being a guardian angel of sorts for her companion, stating in the chorus, "I'll be your A-N-G-E-L."
On September 18, 2008 she performed the song live on America's Got Talent.
Reception
Chris Williams of Billboard praised "Angel", noting that it takes on "a decidedly more urban slant", and saying, "Vocally, Bedingfield has no difficulty adjusting to the production, confidently delivering with sass and swagger." He also thought the track would do well, claiming, "With angelic harmonies throughout, a catchy chorus with a fun spell-out of "a-n-g-e-l" and a sing-rap bridge, Bedingfield is on her way again to the airwaves' high heavens."
Music video
Phil Griffin shot the music video for the song. The video features Bedingfield in several different rooms and outfits, with multiple versions of her suddenly appearing and then disappearing. The bridge has also slightly been altered with the lyrics "I wish somebody would disrespect my man, they gon' have to come see me" being changed to "if someone ever should disrespect my love, they gon' have to come see me"
Chart performance
"Angel" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #93, the chart week of October 4, 2008. It has debuted on the Pop 100 at #91, and has climbed to #54. Since it's release date it has been one of the most added tracks at U.S. Mainstream Top 40 radio. So far it has peaked at #46 on the US iTunes Store. It has already climbed to #25 on BDS CHR/Top 40 chart. The song debuted at #96 on the Canadian Hot 100 and is currently at #44.