Lips of an Angel

{{Infobox song

| name = Lips of an Angel

| cover = Lipsofanangel.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Hinder

| album = Extreme Behavior

| released = {{start date|2006|04|03}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Post-grunge{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/list/best-post-grunge-songs/|title=50 Best Post-Grunge Songs|last=Graves|first=Wren|website=Consequence|date=May 20, 2024|access-date=April 1, 2025}}

| length = {{duration|m=4|s=21}}

| label = Universal Republic

| writer =

| producer = Brian Howes

| prev_title = Get Stoned

| prev_year = 2005

| next_title = How Long

| next_year = 2006

}}

"Lips of an Angel" is a song by American rock band Hinder, produced and co-written by Brian Howes and Joseph Lombardo. It was released in April 2006 as the second single from their 2005 debut album, Extreme Behavior. The power ballad{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/2000s-one-hit-wonders-1235342230/|title=The 50 Best One-Hit Wonders of the 2000s|first=Maura|last=Johnston|date=May 22, 2025|website=Rolling Stone}} was their breakthrough hit, charting within the top ten on several US Billboard genre charts, reaching number three on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, and peaking at number one in Australia and New Zealand. It has sold 3.6 million copies in the US as of January 2015, making it one of the most downloaded rock songs.{{cite web |url=http://www.cfox.com/2015/02/05/the-most-downloaded-songs-in-rock-history-you-might-be-surprised/ |title=The 15 Most Downloaded Songs in Rock History |last=Cruz |first=Carmen |work=CFOX-FM |date=February 5, 2015 |access-date=December 17, 2016}}

Country music artist Jack Ingram released a cover of the song in 2006 that peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Content

The lyrics deal with the singer describing his feelings when his favored girlfriend from his past calls late at night, somewhat pleasantly interrupting his current relationship. More than once, a reference to the call being secret is made, and the singer expresses concern of a fight ensuing as a result. The song concludes just as it began, with the singer questioning to why she is calling so late. However, at the end, it is less literal and more figurative, with the underlying meaning of "so late" not at night, but too late in life, perhaps adding an element of sadness to the song, as it ends with the plot unresolved.

Drummer Cody Hanson said the lyrics were based on an experience singer Austin John Winkler had:

{{quote|He came over to the house and we were writing, and I had the slow guitar progression. He had just finished telling me the story about what happened and then we sat down to write. He just kind of belted out, 'Honey, why you calling me so late?' and we just kind of stopped and had this moment. We're like 'Oh, my God, that's what we have to write the song about.' And so we just sort of whipped it out real quick. We didn't work on it very long. It took maybe 20 or 30 minutes and the song was done.{{cite web|url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/cody-hanson-of-hinder|title=Cody Hanson of Hinder : Songwriter Interviews|last=Morelli|first=Trevor|date=April 18, 2012|website=Songfacts|accessdate=February 26, 2021}}}}

Chart performance

The song experienced the most success in Australia. On the chart date of February 4, 2007, the song debuted atop Australia's ARIA Singles Chart, replacing Evermore's "Light Surrounding You" and keeping the peak position for seven weeks before being replaced by "Straight Lines" by Silverchair. On February 12, it reached the top spot on New Zealand's RIANZ Singles Chart and stayed there for one more week before being dethroned by "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" by Fall Out Boy. In the United States, the song reached number one on the Billboard Pop 100 and Mainstream Top 40 charts, and number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, in November 2006. It was also their only top-10 single on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, reaching number eight. Elsewhere, the song had limited chart success and remains Hinder's only hit in most countries in which it charted.

Music video

The music video for "Lips of an Angel" was directed by Nigel Dick and largely follows the narrative of the song's lyrics, focusing on a late night phone call between the raconteur (Austin John Winkler) and his former lover (Emmanuelle Chriqui).{{cite web |title=Hinder: Lips of an Angel (Music Video) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11791968/ |website=IMdb.com |publisher=Austin John Winkler |access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite web |title=Hinder, 'Lips of an Angel' – Most Romantic Rock Music Videos |url=https://loudwire.com/hinder-lips-of-an-angel-romantic-rock-music-videos/ |website=Loudwire.com |publisher=Chad Childers |access-date=13 February 2013}}

Formats and track listings

Digital download

"Lips of an Angel" – 4:21

CD single

"Lips of an Angel" – 4:21
"By the Way" (acoustic) – 3:34
"Bliss (I Don't Wanna Know)" (acoustic) – 3:45
"Oye there you go"

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="row"\|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/hinder/chart-history/cns/\|title=Hinder Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=March 12, 2019}} \|2
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (2006–2008) !Peak position
{{single chart\|Australia\|1\|artist=Hinder\|song=Lips of an Angel\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Austria\|62\|artist=Hinder\|song=Lips of an Angel\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcanadaac\|38\|artist=Hinder\|rowheader=true\|access-date=February 3, 2022}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcanadachrtop40\|3\|artist=Hinder\|rowheader=true\|access-date=February 3, 2022}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcanadahotac\|1\|artist=Hinder\|rowheader=true\|access-date=February 3, 2022}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcanadarock\|4\|artist=Hinder\|rowheader=true\|access-date=February 3, 2022}}
scope="row"\| France Radio (SNEP){{cite web\|url=https://tubesenfrance.com/annees-00/classements-de-2007/classement-du-4-mars-2007/?highlight=hinder\|title=Top Radio Singles March 4, 2007\|publisher=SNEP\|date=March 4, 2007\|access-date=February 22, 2022}} \|align="center"\|83
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|98\|artist=Hinder\|song=Lips of an Angel\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade){{cite web\|url=https://www.top40.nl/hinder/hinder-lips-of-an-angel-16116\|title=Lips of an Angel\|publisher=Dutch Top 40\|language=nl\|access-date=March 17, 2023}} \|4
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|1\|artist=Hinder\|song=Lips of an Angel\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Slovakia\|48\|year=2006\|week=47\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|3\|artist=Hinder\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=June 7, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Billboardadultcontemporary\|18\|artist=Hinder\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=June 7, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Billboardadultpopsongs\|3\|artist=Hinder\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=June 7, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Billboardalternativesongs\|8\|artist=Hinder\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=June 7, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Billboardmainstreamrock\|3\|artist=Hinder\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=June 7, 2018\|refname="US-Mainstream-Rock-singles"}}
{{single chart\|Billboardpopsongs\|1\|artist=Hinder\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=June 7, 2018}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"\|Chart (2006) !scope="col"\|Position
scope="row"\|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/hot-100-songs\|title=Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2006\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=June 7, 2018}} \|30
scope="row"\|US Adult Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/adult-pop-songs\|title=Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2006\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=September 20, 2019}} \|33

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (2006)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/hot-100-songs|title=Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2006|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 7, 2018}}

|30

scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/adult-pop-songs|title=Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2006|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 20, 2019}}

|33

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"\|Chart (2007) !scope="col"\|Position
scope="row"\|Australia (ARIA){{cite web\|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2007/singles-chart\|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2007\|publisher=ARIA\|access-date=June 7, 2018}} \|5
scope="row"\|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web\|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/2007-12-31\|title=End of Year Charts 2007\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|access-date=June 7, 2018}} \|18
scope="row"\|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/hot-100-songs\|title=Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2007\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=June 7, 2018}} \|46
scope="row"\|US Adult Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/adult-pop-songs\|title=Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2007\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=September 20, 2019}} \|18

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (2007)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2007/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2007|publisher=ARIA|access-date=June 7, 2018}}

scope="row"|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/2007-12-31|title=End of Year Charts 2007|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=June 7, 2018}}

|18

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/hot-100-songs|title=Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2007|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 7, 2018}}

|46

scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/adult-pop-songs|title=Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2007|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 20, 2019}}

|18

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|access-date=October 9, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|source=radioscope|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2007|certyear=2022|access-date=December 24, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Lips of an Angel|artist=Hinder|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2006|certyear=2013|certmonth=12|access-date=October 9, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|title=Lips of an Angel|artist=Hinder|type=ringtone|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|access-date=April 28, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Lips of an Angel|artist=Hinder|type=ringtone|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|certmonth=12|access-date=October 9, 2018}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col"\| Region ! scope="col"\| Date ! scope="col"\| Format ! scope="col"\| Label ! scope="col"\| {{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
scope="row" rowspan="4"\| United States \| April 3, 2006 \| Active rock radio \| rowspan="5"\| Universal Republic \| {{cite web\|url=http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16698\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130050338/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16698\|title=Active & Mainstream Rock - Airplay Archive\|website=FMQB\|url-status=dead\|access-date=September 4, 2021\|archive-date=January 30, 2009}}
June 19, 2006 \| Alternative radio \| {{cite web\|url=http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124130054/http://fmqb.com:80/Article.asp?id=16771\|title=Modern Rock - Airplay Archive\|website=FMQB\|url-status=dead\|access-date=September 4, 2021\|archive-date=January 24, 2009}}
July 24, 2006 \| Contemporary hit radio \| {{cite web\|url=http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219164931/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239\|title=CHR - Airplay Archive\|website=FMQB\|url-status=dead\|access-date=September 4, 2021\|archive-date=February 19, 2009}}
August 7, 2006 \| Hot adult contemporary radio \| {{cite web\|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=64265\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207084832/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=64265\|title=AC - Airplay Archive\|website=FMQB\|url-status=dead\|access-date=September 4, 2021\|archive-date=February 7, 2007}}
scope="row"\| Australia \| January 22, 2007 \| CD single \| {{cite magazine\|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue881.pdf\|title=New Releases Singles - Week Commencing 22nd January 2007\|magazine=The ARIA Report\|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association\|issue=881\|page=29\|date=January 22, 2007\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20070219130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20070220-0000/issue881.pdf\|archive-date=February 19, 2007\|access-date=September 4, 2021\|via=Trove}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

! scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" rowspan="4"| United States

| April 3, 2006

| Active rock radio

| rowspan="5"| Universal Republic

| {{cite web|url=http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16698|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130050338/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16698|title=Active & Mainstream Rock - Airplay Archive|website=FMQB|url-status=dead|access-date=September 4, 2021|archive-date=January 30, 2009}}

June 19, 2006

| Alternative radio

| {{cite web|url=http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124130054/http://fmqb.com:80/Article.asp?id=16771|title=Modern Rock - Airplay Archive|website=FMQB|url-status=dead|access-date=September 4, 2021|archive-date=January 24, 2009}}

July 24, 2006

| Contemporary hit radio

| {{cite web|url=http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219164931/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239|title=CHR - Airplay Archive|website=FMQB|url-status=dead|access-date=September 4, 2021|archive-date=February 19, 2009}}

August 7, 2006

| Hot adult contemporary radio

| {{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=64265|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207084832/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=64265|title=AC - Airplay Archive|website=FMQB|url-status=dead|access-date=September 4, 2021|archive-date=February 7, 2007}}

scope="row"| Australia

| January 22, 2007

| CD single

| {{cite magazine|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue881.pdf|title=New Releases Singles - Week Commencing 22nd January 2007|magazine=The ARIA Report|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|issue=881|page=29|date=January 22, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20070219130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20070220-0000/issue881.pdf|archive-date=February 19, 2007|access-date=September 4, 2021|via=Trove}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Jack Ingram version

{{Infobox song

| name = Lips of an Angel

| cover = Lips_of_an_Angel_(Jack_Ingram_Cover).png

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Jack Ingram

| album = This Is It

| released = {{start date|2006|12|11}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Country{{cite web|publisher=Yahoo!|year = 2007 |title=Lips Of An Angel by Jack Ingram |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/jack-ingram/albums/lips-of-an-angel--39477043|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614090924/http://music.yahoo.com/jack-ingram/albums/lips-of-an-angel--39477043|archive-date=June 14, 2012|access-date= January 22, 2010}}

| length = {{duration|m=3|s=45}}

| label = Big Machine

| writer =

Austin John Winkler{{cite web |title=Jack Ingram - Lips of an Angel (2007 Hinder Cover) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/lips-of-an-angel-mt0015689506 |website=Allmusic |publisher=Big Machine |access-date=8 April 2025}}
Cody Hanson
Brian Howes

| producer = Jeremy Stover

| prev_title = Love You

| prev_year = 2006

| next_title = Measure of a Man

| next_year = 2007

}}

Country music artist Jack Ingram released a version of the song in December 2006. Ingram's version, the lead-off single to his 2007 album This Is It.{{cite web |title=Jack Ingram gives Lips of an Angel a smooth transition to country music |url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/music/article/Jack-Ingram-makes-the-smooth-transition-to-country-1638287.php |website=Houston Chronicle |publisher=Andrew Dansby |access-date=27 March 2007}} His cover reached a peak of number 16 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in April 2007. Ingram's version does not include the last stanza where the singer once again asks why she is calling so late.{{cite web |title=Jack Ingram's Story |url=https://www.jackingramlive.com/about-1 |website=JackIngramLive.com |publisher=Jack Ingram |access-date=8 April 2025}}

=Background=

Regarding his cover of this song, Ingram gave an explanation in the liner notes of This Is It:

{{quote|"I heard this song on the radio. I think it's a killer song. I thought we could give it another feel and do it justice. A good song is a good song. I'll let other people choose sides between what genre is what genre and who should stay inside which box. I think there are two kinds of music: good and bad. I try to stay on the right side. Besides, who hasn't felt this way at some point in their life? Don't lie."{{cite AV media notes |title=This Is It |others=Jack Ingram |year=2007 |type=CD |publisher=Big Machine Records |id=BMR130602}}}}

=Charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (2006–2007) !Peak position
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|77\|artist=Jack Ingram\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboardcountrysongs\|16\|artist=Jack Ingram\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\|US Pop 100 (Billboard) \|87

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2006–2007)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Billboardhot100|77|artist=Jack Ingram|rowheader=true}}

{{single chart|Billboardcountrysongs|16|artist=Jack Ingram|rowheader=true}}

scope="row"|US Pop 100 (Billboard)

|87

In popular culture

The song is featured in the music-related video games Lips (as downloadable content), Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore, Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party, and Band Hero.

On June 12, 2020, the Canadian Blink-182 podcast 'Blink-155' released a compilation, consisting of 65 covers of "Lips of an Angel", recorded by the members of the Blink-155 fan base (known as the 'Nation' or 'Naysh') as well as the hosts of the podcast, Sam Sutherland & Josiah Hughes.{{Cite web|title=It's Really Good to Hear Your Voice, by Blink-155|url=https://blink-155.bandcamp.com/album/its-really-good-to-hear-your-voice|access-date=June 15, 2020|website=Blink-155|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615115252/https://blink-155.bandcamp.com/album/its-really-good-to-hear-your-voice|archive-date=June 15, 2020}} The compilation is titled "It's Really Good to Hear Your Voice", in reference to one of the lyrics of the song. The compilation was mastered by Dan Birch and the artwork was done by Kyle Mabson. All proceeds from the compilation get donated to charities related to the Black Lives Matter movement. Hinder drummer Cody Hanson said of the compilation, "Whether people are making fun of it or not, I think it's awesome either way."