Seven Spanish Angels
Encyclopedia
"Seven Spanish Angels' is a 1984 single written by Troy Seals
and Eddie Setser and recorded by Ray Charles
with Willie Nelson
. "Seven Spanish Angels" would be the most successful of Ray Charles' eight hits on the country chart. The single spent one week at number one and a total of twelve weeks on the country chart .
Before the final gunfight, the two embrace passioniately, promising each other that God will spare them and they will eventually be in a better place. The gunfight then commences, with the outlaw firing upon the squadron. He is immediately shot and killed, prompting his distraught girlfriend to pick up his rifle from his hand. She tearfully prays, "Father, please forgive me; I can't make it without my man." Even though she is well aware there is no ammunition in the barrel, she points it at the lawmen and is then shot dead
.
After each fatal shooting, seven Spanish angels gather (presumably in Heaven) to pray for "the lovers in the Valley of the Gun." After the gunfights end and the smoke clears, "there was thunder from the throne" and the angels proceed to take "another angel home."
(In the song, Charles sings the first verse, about the man's part of the battle. Nelson takes the second verse, where the woman engages in the battle on her now-deceased boyfriend's behalf.)
Troy Seals
Troy Seals is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.He is a member of the prominent Seals family of musicians that includes, Jim Seals and Dan Seals and Brady Seals...
and Eddie Setser and recorded by Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
with Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
. "Seven Spanish Angels" would be the most successful of Ray Charles' eight hits on the country chart. The single spent one week at number one and a total of twelve weeks on the country chart .
Song story
The song is about a Mexican outlaw and his beautiful girlfriend who are trying to outrun a posse. When they are finally cornered and exhausted from running, they decide to fight the approaching lawmen with gunfire.Before the final gunfight, the two embrace passioniately, promising each other that God will spare them and they will eventually be in a better place. The gunfight then commences, with the outlaw firing upon the squadron. He is immediately shot and killed, prompting his distraught girlfriend to pick up his rifle from his hand. She tearfully prays, "Father, please forgive me; I can't make it without my man." Even though she is well aware there is no ammunition in the barrel, she points it at the lawmen and is then shot dead
Suicide by cop
Suicide by cop is a suicide method in which a suicidal individual deliberately acts in a threatening way, with the goal of provoking a lethal response from a law enforcement officer or other armed individual, such as being shot to death....
.
After each fatal shooting, seven Spanish angels gather (presumably in Heaven) to pray for "the lovers in the Valley of the Gun." After the gunfights end and the smoke clears, "there was thunder from the throne" and the angels proceed to take "another angel home."
(In the song, Charles sings the first verse, about the man's part of the battle. Nelson takes the second verse, where the woman engages in the battle on her now-deceased boyfriend's behalf.)
Chart performance
| Chart (1984–1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 6 |
| Australian Kent Music Report | 29 |
Cover versions
- Canadian country music artist George CanyonGeorge CanyonGeorge Canyon is a Canadian country music singer. He was runner up Nashville Star 2 in 2004. He grew up in Fox Brook, Pictou County, Nova Scotia and later lived in Hopewell, Nova Scotia before he moved west. He currently lives in High River, Alberta...
covered the song on his 2007 album, ClassicsClassics (George Canyon album)Classics is the fifth studio album by Canadian country music singer George Canyon. The album is a collection of classic country songs covered by Canyon...
.