Host of Angels

"Host of Angels" was written by Taylor Henderson and Jon Hume, who also produced the track alongside Louis Schoorl.{{cite AV media notes|others=Taylor Henderson|title=Burnt Letters|year=2014|type=CD|publisher=Sony Music Australia Pty Ltd|page=3}} Henderson initially started writing "Host of Angels" when he was 15 years old.{{cite web|url=http://www.take40.com/news/48418/caitlyn-shadbolt-leaves-the-x-factor---our-recap-%2806-10-14%29|title=Caitlyn Shadbolt leaves The X Factor – Our Recap|work=Take 40 Australia|publisher=Authentic Entertainment|date=6 October 2014|accessdate=11 October 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008155933/http://www.take40.com/news/48418/caitlyn-shadbolt-leaves-the-x-factor---our-recap-%2806-10-14%29|archivedate=8 October 2014}} While working on his second studio album Burnt Letters (2014), Henderson got Hume to help him finish writing the song.{{cite interview |first=Siobhan |last=Graham |url=http://underage.com.au/2014/07/interview-taylor-henderson-talks-burnt-letters-and-2014-australian-tour/ |title=Interview: Taylor Henderson Talks 'Burnt Letters' And 2014 Australian Tour |work=Underage.com.au |date=22 July 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014091858/http://underage.com.au/2014/07/interview-taylor-henderson-talks-burnt-letters-and-2014-australian-tour/ |archivedate=14 October 2014 |url-status=dead }} Henderson admitted that "Host of Angels" is "one of the most personal songs" on Burnt Letters and added that "it was probably the most easiest song to write" because of how personal it is to him.{{cite video|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/taylor-henderson/Host-of-Angels-(Commentary)/AUBM81400207|title=Host of Angels (Commentary) – Taylor Henderson|publisher=Vevo|accessdate=11 October 2014}}

"Host of Angels" is a piano ballad{{cite web |first=Marcus |last=Floyd |url=http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-taylor-henderson-burnt-letters/ |title=Album Review: Taylor Henderson – Burnt Letters |work=Renowned for Sound |date=13 July 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008010729/http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-taylor-henderson-burnt-letters/ |archivedate=8 October 2014 |url-status=dead }} that was written for Henderson's youngest sister to help her cope with their parents' divorce.{{cite news|first=Alasdair|last=McDonald|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/taylor-henderson-and-that-loving-smile-20140611-zs2ln.html|title=Taylor Henderson and that loving smile|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=10 June 2014|accessdate=11 October 2014}} Henderson found out about their divorce at the age of 13, while his sister was five years old at the time.{{cite web |first=Jessica |last=Chandra |url=http://www.popsugar.com.au/celebrity/Taylor-Henderson-Interview-New-Album-Burnt-Letters-35202961 |title=Taylor Henderson Interview On New Album Burnt Letters |work=Pop Sugar Australia |date=10 July 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019100516/http://www.popsugar.com.au/celebrity/Taylor-Henderson-Interview-New-Album-Burnt-Letters-35202961 |archivedate=19 October 2014 |url-status=dead }} He said, "My sister is now [at] that age [I found out] and she's dealing with that situation, and working through it from her understanding. I just wanted to hold her hand through this song, to let her know I'll always be there for her, regardless of what happens in her life."{{cite web |url=http://www.taylorhendersonofficial.com/bio/ |title=Biography |publisher=TaylorHendersonOfficial.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004131706/http://www.taylorhendersonofficial.com/bio/ |archivedate=4 October 2014 |url-status=usurped }} In "Host of Angels", Henderson reminds his sister that she will be okay, with lyrics such as "But oh, I know you'll make it through, There's a host of angels watching over, over you."

On 17 September 2014, Henderson announced on his Twitter account that "Host of Angels" would be released as the follow-up to his previous single "Already Gone".{{cite tweet|number=512198309943836672|user=taylorhenders0n|title=#Surprise! The most personal song I have ever written. My brand new single #HostOfAngels 💔 goes to radio TOMORROW!|date=17 September 2014|accessdate=11 October 2014}} The following day, "Host of Angels" was sent to Australian radio stations as the third single from Burnt Letters.{{cite web|author=Kylie|url=http://www.stickytrigger.com/music/on-the-air-new-single-host-of-angels-from-taylor-henderson/|title=On the air... new single 'Host of Angels' from Taylor Henderson|publisher=Sticky Trigger Entertainment|date=18 September 2014|accessdate=11 October 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010011435/http://www.stickytrigger.com/music/on-the-air-new-single-host-of-angels-from-taylor-henderson/|archivedate=10 October 2014}} Siobhan Graham of Underage.com.au described the song as a "heartfelt ballad", while Q News called it a "gentle ballad" and thought it was one of the great tracks on Burnt Letters.{{cite web |url=http://qnews.com.au/article/review-taylor-henderson-burnt-letters |title=Review: Taylor Henderson – Burnt Letters |work=Q News |date=28 August 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018052326/http://qnews.com.au/article/review-taylor-henderson-burnt-letters |archivedate=18 October 2014 |url-status=dead }} Nathan Pike of Project U wrote that the "beautiful ballad" showcases "the incredible vocals that we've come to love from" Henderson.{{cite web |first=Nathan |last=Pike |url=http://www.projectu.tv/taylor-henderson-has-a-lovely-new-ballad-called-host-of-angels/ |title=Taylor Henderson has a lovely new ballad called 'Host of Angels' |work=ProjectU.tv |date=September 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016084326/http://www.projectu.tv/taylor-henderson-has-a-lovely-new-ballad-called-host-of-angels/ |archivedate=16 October 2014 |url-status=dead }} Take 40 Australia described "Host of Angels" as a "beautiful" and "stunning ballad". Renowned for Sound's Marcus Floyd wrote that "it was nice to hear the piano take the lead" in the song. For the issue dated 13 October 2014, "Host of Angels" debuted at number 55 on the ARIA Singles Chart.{{cite web|first=Gavin|last=Ryan|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/the-veronicas-spend-third-week-on-top-of-aria-singles-chart-20141011|title=The Veronicas Spend Third Week On Top Of ARIA Singles Chart|work=Noise11|publisher=Noise Network|date=11 October 2014|accessdate=11 October 2014}}

Henderson promoted "Host of Angels" with a radio interview on Smallzy's Surgery on 1 October 2014.{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Stevens |url=http://www.nova100.com.au/smallzys-surgery-podcast-1-october-2014 |title=Smallzy's Surgery Podcast – 1 October 2014 |work=Smallzy's Surgery |publisher=Nova FM |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017173108/http://www.nova100.com.au/smallzys-surgery-podcast-1-october-2014 |archivedate=17 October 2014 |url-status=dead }} He then performed the song during the ninth live decider show of the sixth season of The X Factor Australia on 6 October 2014.{{cite web |url=https://au.tv.yahoo.com/x-factor/25156447/nico-vinz-and-taylor-henderson-live-decider-9-special-guests/ |title=Nico & Vinz and Taylor Henderson: Live Decider 9 Special Guests |work=The X Factor Australia |publisher=Yahoo!7 |date=1 October 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006092945/https://au.tv.yahoo.com/x-factor/25156447/nico-vinz-and-taylor-henderson-live-decider-9-special-guests/ |archivedate=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead }} Henderson also performed "Host of Angels" on KIIS 106.5 (7 October 2014),{{cite web |url=http://www.kiis1065.com.au/shows/drive/videos/taylor-henderson---host-of-angels--live-and-acoustic- |title=Taylor Henderson – Host of Angels (Live and Acoustic) |publisher=KIIS 106.5 |date=7 October 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016081259/http://www.kiis1065.com.au/shows/drive/videos/taylor-henderson---host-of-angels--live-and-acoustic- |archivedate=16 October 2014 |url-status=dead }} Sunrise (9 October 2014),{{cite web|url=https://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/25216427/taylor-henderson-live/|title=Taylor Henderson Live|work=Sunrise|publisher=Yahoo!7|date=9 October 2014|accessdate=11 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141009062306/https://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/25216427/taylor-henderson-live/|archive-date=2014-10-09}} at the Channel Seven Perth Telethon (26 October 2014){{cite news|first=Kaylee|last=Martin|url=https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-gossip/stars-devote-singles-to-best-girls-ng-ya-379822|title=Justice Crew and Taylor Henderson devote new singles to best girls|work=The West Australian|publisher=Seven West Media|date=26 October 2014|accessdate=28 October 2014}} and on The Morning Show (18 December 2014).{{cite web|url=https://au.tv.yahoo.com/the-morning-show/video/watch/25806405/taylor-still-has-that-x-factor/|title=Taylor still has that X Factor|work=The Morning Show|publisher=Yahoo!7|date=18 December 2014|accessdate=18 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141218054511/https://au.tv.yahoo.com/the-morning-show/video/watch/25806405/taylor-still-has-that-x-factor/#selection-487.0-487.30|archive-date=2014-12-18}} The accompanying music video for "Host of Angels" was directed by Matt Sharpe and premiered on Henderson's Vevo account on 13 October 2014.{{cite video|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/taylor-henderson/Host-of-Angels/AUBM81400303|title=Host of Angels – Taylor Henderson|publisher=Vevo|date=13 October 2013|accessdate=13 October 2014}}

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Burnt Letters.

;Locations

• Recorded at The Stables Studio in Melbourne, New Holland Studio in Sydney, and Sony Studios in Sydney.
• Mastered at Studios 301 in Sydney.

;Personnel

• Songwriting – Taylor Henderson, Shane Lee Evans
• Production – Jon Hume, Louis Schoorl
• Engineering – Jon Hume, Louis Schoorl
• Recording – Jon Hume, Louis Schoorl, Adrian Breakspear
• Mixing – Jon Hume
• Electric guitar, piano, percussion and bass – Jon Hume
• Bass, drums, acoustic guitar and piano – Louis Schoorl
• Background vocals – Taylor Henderson
• Violin – Michael Wong
• Cello – Jesse Martin
• Mastering – Leon Zervos

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Category:2014 songs

Category:2014 singles

Category:Taylor Henderson songs

Category:Sony Music Australia singles

Category:Songs written by Jon Hume

Category:Songs written by Taylor Henderson