I'm Your Angel
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{For|the Yoko Ono song|Yes, I'm Your Angel}}
{{Infobox song
| name = I'm Your Angel
| cover = Dion_Kelly_I'mYourAngel.jpg
| type = single
| artist = Celine Dion and R. Kelly
| album = These Are Special Times {{noitalic|and}} R.
| released = {{start date|df=yes|1998|10|13}}
| recorded = 1998
| studio = {{ubl|Battery Studios|Studio Morin-Heights|Cove City Sound Studios|The Dream Factory|Right Track Studios}}
| genre = {{hlist|R&B|pop|soul|gospel}}
| length = {{duration|m=5|s=31}}
| writer = Robert Kelly
| producer = R. Kelly
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Celine Dion
| type = single
| prev_title = Zora sourit
| prev_year = 1998
| title = I'm Your Angel
| year = 1998
| next_title = S'il suffisait d'aimer
| next_year = 1998
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = R. Kelly
| type = single
| prev_title = Home Alone
| prev_year = 1998
| title = I'm Your Angel
| year = 1998
| next_title = When a Woman's Fed Up
| next_year = 1999
}}
{{External music video|type=single|header=Audio video|{{YouTube|e0z7PyuipBA|"I'm Your Angel"}}}}
}}
"I'm Your Angel" is a duet by Celine Dion and R. Kelly from Dion's These Are Special Times album and Kelly's R. album. It was released on 13 October 1998. The song was written and produced by R. Kelly. The single was very successful, reaching number one in the United States and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/hot-100 |title=Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard.com |date=4 August 2012 |access-date=8 August 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://riaa.org/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |title=Gold & Platinum - November 26, 2010 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=27 November 2010 |archive-date=24 May 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524143006/http://riaa.org/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |url-status=dead }} The single also reached the top five in the United Kingdom and Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://www.everyhit.co.uk/ |title=UK Top 40 Chart Archive, British Singles & Album Charts |publisher=everyHit.com |date=16 March 2000 |access-date=27 November 2010}}{{cite web|first=Jaclyn |last=Ward |url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement |title=The Irish Charts - All there is to know |publisher=Irishcharts.ie |access-date=27 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602061251/http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement |archive-date=2 June 2009 }}
Critical reception
Chuck Taylor from Billboard praised "I'm Your Angel". He wrote that "this wonderfully restrained ballad delights with the most graceful vocal performances either of these artists has ever offered to radio". Taylor commented, "what raises the roof is the tune's elegant, epic instrumental base, which includes sweeping strings, a soulful choir, and gentle but determined percussive drive". He continued that it "sells big at the bridge, where the instrumentation drops and Kelly and Dion harmonize in a gorgeous minor key – it truly makes the song".{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=dion|title=Billboard|date=17 October 1998|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}} Launch Yahoo wrote: "The ballad to beat all ballads is his duet with Celine Dion, "I'm Your Angel," which, were it not released the same week, could no doubt top the charts".[https://web.archive.org/web/20040913090440/http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/l_reviews_a/11124.html R. Kelly - R.] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic noted it as a highlighted on R. and called it a "soaring ballad".{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r-mw0000671749|title=R. - R. Kelly - Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic}}
A mixed review came from Entertainment Weekly editor Chris Willman: "Dion's earnest take on Vietnam-era Lennon is howler No. 1. No. 2 is her duet with R. Kelly, "I'm Your Angel," a slice of squishy-hearted pseudo gospel that might better be called "Touched by a Marketing VP".{{cite magazine | url=http://www.ew.com/article/1998/12/04/look-music-holiday-season | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | first=Chris | last=Willman | title=Just Say Noel | date=4 December 1998 | access-date=23 May 2013 | archive-date=25 April 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425224521/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,286020,00.html | url-status=live }} David Browne of EW wrote: "By the time R. winds up — with "I Believe I Can Fly" and "I'm Your Angel," a belt-by-numbers duet with Dion — Kelly has realized his crossover dream".{{cite magazine | url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,285739,00.html | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | title=Music Review: R. | date=13 November 1998 | access-date=23 May 2013 | archive-date=25 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025015106/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,285739,00.html | url-status=dead }} Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone wrote: "Every guest star who enters Kelly's parlor emerges better for the experience — even Celine Dion, the human anti-NAFTA petition whose dancing on the VH1 Divas special cried out for stricter work-visa controls".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/r-100346/|title=R.|first=Rob|last=Sheffield|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=26 November 1998}}
Commercial performance
The song proved commercially successful in the United States and worldwide. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, and was the first number one on Billboard{{'}}s new charting method of including airplay-only tracks. The song remains both artists' latest U.S. number one single as of 2025. It also spent twelve weeks at number one on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks, reached number one on the Hot 100 Singles Sales for six weeks, and number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay. "I'm Your Angel" also became a top 10 hit in various European countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland,{{cite web|first=Steffen |last=Hung |url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=C%E9line+Dion+%26+R%2E+Kelly&titel=I%27m+Your+Angel&cat=s |title=Céline Dion & R. Kelly - I'm Your Angel |publisher=hitparade.ch |access-date=27 November 2010}} the Netherlands,{{cite web|first=Steffen |last=Hung |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=C%E9line+Dion+%26+R%2E+Kelly&titel=I%27m+Your+Angel&cat=s |title=Céline Dion & R. Kelly - I'm Your Angel |publisher=dutchcharts.nl |access-date=27 November 2010}} and Sweden.{{cite web|first=Steffen |last=Hung |url=http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=C%E9line+Dion+%26+R%2E+Kelly&titel=I%27m+Your+Angel&cat=s |title=Céline Dion & R. Kelly - I'm Your Angel |publisher=swedishcharts.com |access-date=27 November 2010}}
"I'm Your Angel" has sold over 1,550,000 copies in the United States alone and was certified platinum by the RIAA. In addition, the single was certified gold in Australia for 35,000 copies shipped and silver in the United Kingdom for 200,000 copies shipped.{{cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/ |title=Australia's Official Music Charts |publisher=ARIA Charts |access-date=27 November 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://theofficialcharts.com/ |title=The Official Charts Company – The home of UK Charts |publisher=Theofficialcharts.com |access-date=27 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113000350/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/ |archive-date=13 November 2010 }}
The single was nominated at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,84051,00.html |title=Grammy Nominations |magazine=EW.com |date=5 January 1999 |access-date=27 November 2010 |archive-date=13 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213012647/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,84051,00.html |url-status=dead }} but lost to "I Still Have That Other Girl", by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach.{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx |title=GRAMMY.com |publisher=GRAMMY.com |date=8 February 2009 |access-date=27 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110014431/http://www2.grammy.com/grammy_awards/winners/Results.aspx |archive-date=10 November 2010 }}
The song was included later on Dion's greatest hits albums; All the Way... A Decade of Song and My Love: Essential Collection. It was also performed by her live during the Let's Talk About Love World Tour (included on the Au cœur du stade DVD) and the Taking Chances World Tour. "I'm Your Angel" appeared also on R. Kelly's compilation album, The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1 in 2003.
On 14 January 2019, following Lady Gaga’s removal of "Do What U Want", Dion, through her management, had the song on her own releases and its video pulled from streaming services due to renewed allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse against R. Kelly.{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/celine-dion-pulling-1998-r-kelly-collaboration-from-streaming-services-1.4254355|title=Celine Dion pulling 1998 R. Kelly collaboration from streaming services - Entertainment & Showbiz from CTV News|website=www.ctvnews.ca|date=15 January 2019 }} However, the song remains on streaming services on R. Kelly's own releases.
Music video
"I'm Your Angel" music video directed by Bille Woodruff, premiered on 19 October 1998. There are two versions: with or without both artists in the recording studio. The video without recording sessions was included on Dion's All the Way... A Decade of Song & Video DVD. R. Kelly's daughter Joann Kelly is featured in the video.
Formats and track listings
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Australian CD single
- "I'm Your Angel" (Radio Version) – 4:49
- "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" – 5:31
- "Christmas Eve" – 4:16
- "S'il suffisait d'aimer" – 3:35
European CD single
- "I'm Your Angel" (Radio Version) – 4:49
- "S'il suffisait d'aimer" – 3:35
European CD maxi-single
- "I'm Your Angel" (Radio Version) – 4:49
- "S'il suffisait d'aimer" – 3:35
- "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" – 5:31
Japanese CD single
- "I'm Your Angel" (Radio Version) – 4:49
- "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" – 5:31
- "Christmas Eve" – 4:16
{{col-2}}
UK cassette single
- "I'm Your Angel" (Radio Version) – 4:49
- "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" – 5:31
- "Je crois toi" – 5:05
UK CD single
- "I'm Your Angel" (Radio Version) – 4:49
- "Je crois toi" – 5:05
- "My Heart Will Go On" – 4:40
UK CD single #2
- "I'm Your Angel" (Radio Version) – 4:49
- "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" – 5:31
- "To Love You More" (Tony Moran I'll be Waiting... Vocal Mix) – 9:27
US CD single
- "I'm Your Angel" (Album Version) – 5:31
{{col-end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
scope="col"|Chart (1998–1999)
!scope="col"|Peak |
---|
{{single chart|Australia|31|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=1 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|Austria|13|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=1 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|Flanders|26|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=1 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|Wallonia|33|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=1 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|11|chartid=7466|rowheader=true|access-date=3 September 2014}} |
{{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|1|chartid=7024|rowheader=true|access-date=3 September 2014}} |
scope="row"|Canada {{abbr|CHR|Contemporary Hit Radio}} (BDS){{cite book|first=Nanda|last=Lwin|title=Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide|publisher=Music Data Canada|year=1999|isbn=1-896594-13-1|author-link=Nanda Lwin|page=87}}
|14 |
scope="row"|Canada (Canadian Singles Chart) Import-only single |37 |
scope="row"|Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-12-12.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=50|page=10|date=12 December 1998|access-date=4 May 2019}}
|5 |
{{single chart|France|97|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=1 October 2014}} |
scope="row"| Finland (Suomen virallinen radiosoittolista){{cite book|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=63|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2021|title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021|section=Celine Dion|page=63|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|access-date=18 September 2023|language=fi}}
| 9 |
{{single chart|Germany|14|songid=3794|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=4 September 2016}} |
scope="row"|Greece (IFPI){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-01-16.pdf|title=Top National Sellers: Greece|magazine=Music & Media|volume=16|issue=1–3|page=9|date=16 January 1999|access-date=22 June 2018}}
|10 |
scope="row"|Hungary (Rádiós Top 40){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-04-10.pdf|title=Major Market Airplay: Hungary|magazine=Music & Media|volume=16|issue=15|page=19|date=10 April 1999|access-date=4 May 2019}}
|15 |
scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2979083?iabr=on#page/n9/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 305 Vikuna 8.1. - 15.1. 1999)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|page=10|access-date=24 January 2024|language=is}}
|7 |
{{single chart|Ireland2|8|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=4 September 2014}} |
{{single chart|Dutch40|8|year=1999|week=2|rowheader=true|access-date=4 September 2014}} |
{{single chart|Dutch100|9|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=1 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|New Zealand|5|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=1 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|Norway|11|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=1 October 2014}} |
scope="row"|Poland (Music & Media){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-12-12.pdf|title=Major Market Airplay: Poland|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=50|page=22|date=12 December 1998|access-date=4 May 2019}}
|7 |
scope="row"|Quebec (ADISQ){{cite web|url=http://www.banq.qc.ca/collections/collections_patrimoniales/musique/collection_numerique/bd_specialisee/palmares/|title=Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec|publisher=BAnQ|language=fr|access-date=17 March 2019|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809215510/http://www.banq.qc.ca/collections/collections_patrimoniales/musique/collection_numerique/bd_specialisee/palmares/|url-status=dead}}
|5 |
{{single chart|Scotland|7|date=19981122|rowheader=true|access-date=19 May 2015}} |
{{single chart|Sweden|10|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=1 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|Switzerland|7|artist=Céline Dion & R. Kelly|song=I'm Your Angel|rowheader=true|access-date=1 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|UK|3|date=19981122|rowheader=true|access-date=4 September 2014}} |
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Celine Dion|rowheader=true|access-date=2 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|1|artist=Celine Dion|rowheader=true|access-date=2 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|28|artist=Celine Dion|rowheader=true|access-date=2 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|5|artist=Celine Dion|rowheader=true|access-date=2 October 2014}} |
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|17|artist=Celine Dion|rowheader=true|access-date=2 October 2014}} |
scope="row"|US Top 40 Tracks (Billboard){{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/r-kelly-mn0000319347/awards|title=R. Kelly Awards|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111130057/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/r-kelly-mn0000319347/awards|archive-date=11 January 2016}}
|21 |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
=Decade-end charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
scope="col"|Chart (1990–1999)
!scope="col"|Position |
---|
scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1999/BB-1999-12-25.pdf|title=Hot 100 Singles of the '90s|magazine=Billboard|page=20|date=25 December 1999|access-date=2 June 2015}}
|50 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications and sales
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|title=I'm Your Angel|artist=Celine Dion|award=Gold|certyear=1998|relyear=1998|access-date=11 October 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=I'm Your Angel|artist=Celine Dion|award=Silver|certyear=1998|relyear=1998|id=3252-686-1|salesamount=263,000|salesref=|access-date=11 October 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|title=I'm Your Angel|artist=Celine Dion|award=Platinum|certyear=1998|relyear=1998|salesamount=1,550,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1999/BB-1999-01-30.pdf|title=Best-Selling Records of 1998|magazine=Billboard|date=30 January 1999|access-date=31 May 2015|page=75|issn=0006-2510|volume=111|number=5}}|access-date=11 October 2014}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
Release history
See also
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
- 1998 in British music
- Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1999
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1998
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1999
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of the 1990s
- List of Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles in 1998
- List of Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles in 1999
- List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1998 (U.S.)
- List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1999 (U.S.)
- List of UK top 10 singles in 1998
{{div col end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|e0z7PyuipBA|"I'm Your Angel"}}
{{Celine Dion songs}}
{{R. Kelly singles}}
{{authority control}}
Category:American Christmas songs
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Contemporary R&B ballads
Category:Music videos directed by Bille Woodruff