Lips of an Angel
"Lips of an Angel" is a power ballad performed by the American rock band Hinder, released in April 2006 as the second single from their debut studio album, Extreme Behavior.[1][2] The song, co-written by the band members and producer Brian Howes, explores themes of infidelity and lingering attraction to an ex-partner, inspired by a late-night phone call lead singer Austin Winkler received from a former girlfriend while his current partner was asleep in the next room.[1][2] The track achieved significant commercial success, marking Hinder's breakthrough hit and propelling Extreme Behavior toward triple platinum certification by the RIAA for the album.[3] In the United States, "Lips of an Angel" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, reached number one on both the Pop 100 and Mainstream Top 40 charts, and peaked at number three on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.[4][5] Internationally, it topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand, earning platinum certification in Australia (ARIA) and double platinum in New Zealand (RMNZ), while also receiving platinum status in the US by December 2006 (later certified 4× platinum by the RIAA as of January 2015).[6][2][7] The song's popularity was further boosted by its official music video, directed by Nigel Dick, which depicts Winkler receiving the titular call and has amassed over 400 million views on YouTube since its 2009 upload by Universal Records.[8][9] "Lips of an Angel" has been covered by artists including country singer Jack Ingram, who released a version in 2006 that charted on the Hot Country Songs survey, and has endured as a staple in rock radio playlists, contributing to Hinder's post-grunge legacy.[1]Background and composition
Development and recording
"Lips of an Angel" was co-written by Hinder's lead vocalist Austin Winkler and drummer Cody Hanson, drawing from a personal experience Winkler had involving a late-night phone call from an ex-girlfriend while his current partner was nearby.[2] The song emerged quickly during a writing session in Hanson's living room, where he developed the initial chord progressions on acoustic guitar, and Winkler improvised the opening lyrics, completing the track in just 20 to 30 minutes.[10] This efficient collaboration reflected the band's early songwriting approach, focusing on relatable emotional narratives as they prepared material following their signing with Universal Records.[11] The track was finalized as part of Hinder's debut album, Extreme Behavior, amid the band's rising profile in the mid-2000s, with Winkler handling primary lyrical duties and Hanson contributing to the melodic foundation alongside his drumming role.[2] Full songwriting credits also extend to bandmates Joe Garvey, Mark King, and Mike Rodden, as well as external collaborator Brian Howes, who played a key role in shaping the song's production.[12] Recording took place in 2005 at The Armoury Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, with additional production and editing at Mountainview Studios, under the production oversight of Brian Howes, who helped refine the band's raw energy into a polished power ballad.[12] The sessions captured Winkler's emotive vocals and Hanson's rhythmic drive, integrating them into the album's overall sound that blended post-grunge elements with accessible hooks, setting the stage for the song's later success.[11]Musical style and lyrics
"Lips of an Angel" is classified as a post-grunge song with pop rock and alternative rock elements, characterized by its blend of introspective balladry and anthemic choruses typical of mid-2000s rock radio fare.[13][14][15] The track follows a conventional verse-chorus structure, beginning with a hushed verse that builds tension through a pre-chorus into an expansive, emotive chorus, and runs for a total of 4:21. It is composed in the key of D major at a tempo of 129 beats per minute, though its half-time rhythmic feel gives it a slower, more languid pulse around 65 BPM, enhancing the song's confessional intimacy.[16][17][18] Instrumentation centers on electric guitars delivering power chord progressions and melodic riffs, supported by steady rock drums and a driving bass line that underscore the emotional weight without overpowering the vocals. A recurring phone call motif, evoked through subtle sound effects and lyrical framing, ties the arrangement together, creating a narrative immediacy that mimics a late-night conversation.[1] Lyrically, the song explores themes of forbidden romance and internal guilt, depicting a protagonist torn between his current partner and an ex-lover during a clandestine phone call. Lines such as "It's really good to hear your voice saying my name / It sounds so sweet / Coming from the lips of an angel" capture the intoxicating pull of nostalgia and temptation, while the chorus's admission—"Girl, you make it hard to be faithful / With the lips of an angel"—highlights the emotional conflict of infidelity and unresolved longing. This narrative of secrecy and regret, whispered in the verses to suggest hiding from a nearby girlfriend, conveys a raw vulnerability central to the song's appeal.[19][1]Release and formats
Single release
"Lips of an Angel" was released as the second single from Hinder's debut album Extreme Behavior in April 2006 by Universal Republic Records.[2] The track followed the band's initial single "Get Stoned," building on the growing momentum of their 2005 album release.[1] The single's rollout emphasized a targeted radio airplay campaign in the United States, where it quickly gained traction on active rock, mainstream rock, and top 40 stations.[20] This strategy aligned with the album's rising commercial success, which achieved platinum certification by the RIAA later that year.[21] Hinder incorporated "Lips of an Angel" into their live setlists during the 2006 Extreme Behavior Tour, performing it regularly at shows starting in the summer to engage fans and build anticipation.[22] Prior to its official single release, the song had generated some pre-release interest through fan-favorite status on the album and early live debuts during Hinder's promotional tours in late 2005 and early 2006. While the initial focus remained on the U.S., international promotion followed in 2007, with physical and promotional singles issued in markets including Europe, Australia, and Mexico via regional Universal imprints.[23]CD Singles
The "Lips of an Angel" single was released on CD in several international markets, primarily featuring the radio edit alongside acoustic versions of other album tracks.[23] European maxi-single (2006, Universal Republic Records, enhanced CD)| No. | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lips of an Angel | 3:59 |
| 2 | By the Way (acoustic) | 3:35 |
| 3 | Bliss (I Don't Wanna Know) (acoustic) | 3:47 |
| No. | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lips of an Angel | 3:59 |
| 2 | By the Way (acoustic) | 3:35 |
| 3 | Bliss (I Don't Wanna Know) (acoustic) | 3:47 |
Digital Download
The digital single was made available through platforms like iTunes in 2007, featuring an edited mix of the title track paired with an acoustic B-side. The full album version of "Lips of an Angel" (4:21) was accessible digitally as part of the Extreme Behavior album from its September 2005 release.[26] Digital single (2007)| No. | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lips of an Angel (Chris Lord-Alge edited mix) | 4:07 |
| 2 | By the Way (acoustic) | 3:34 |
Promotional Versions
Promotional CDs were distributed to radio stations and industry professionals, often including clean radio edits and acoustic variants for airplay. These were not for commercial sale.[23] US promo CD (2006, Universal Republic Records, UNIR 21674-2)| No. | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lips of an Angel (radio version) | 3:59 |
| 2 | Lips of an Angel (acoustic version) | 4:21 |
| No. | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lips of an Angel (radio version) | 4:09 |
| 2 | Lips of an Angel (acoustic version) | 4:21 |
Critical reception and promotion
Reviews
Upon its release as a single in 2006, "Lips of an Angel" received mixed critical reception, with reviewers often evaluating it in the context of Hinder's debut album Extreme Behavior. Johnny Loftus of AllMusic described the track as one of the album's stronger singles alongside "Get Stoned," praising its relative catchiness amid an otherwise "egregiously dull" collection of formulaic post-grunge songs that prioritized commercial appeal over originality.[29] In a more targeted assessment, a 2006 Las Vegas Weekly column called "Lips of an Angel" an effective old-school power ballad, noting its radio-friendly structure and emotional delivery as strengths for fans of the genre.[30]Promotion
Following the April 2006 release of "Lips of an Angel" as the second single from their debut album Extreme Behavior, Hinder engaged in extensive touring to promote the track and the album. The band headlined the Extreme Behavior Tour across North America throughout 2006 and into 2007, performing the song at numerous venues, including shows at the Smirnoff Music Centre in Dallas on August 26, 2006, and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on September 14, 2006.[31][32] In late 2006, they supported Aerosmith on select dates, extending their winter tour into December with additional headlining stops.[33] By 2007, the tour continued with multi-band packages, including appearances alongside Papa Roach and Buckcherry starting in May.[34] These live performances helped build momentum for the single, with the band delivering high-energy renditions that highlighted frontman Austin John Winkler's vocals.[35] Hinder also promoted "Lips of an Angel" through television appearances, where they performed the song live to reach broader audiences. In 2006, the band appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, delivering an acoustic-tinged version that showcased the track's emotional ballad style.[36] They followed this with a performance on VH1.com's live session series, further emphasizing the song's crossover appeal.[37] In early 2007, Hinder took the stage on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on February 12, where Winkler and the band played a full-band arrangement, capitalizing on the single's growing radio airplay.[38] To support radio exposure, Universal Records distributed promotional singles of "Lips of an Angel" to stations in 2006, including a radio edit version clocking in at 4:09 and an acoustic take for specialty programming.[28] These efforts aligned with the band's active presence on emerging digital platforms like MySpace, where they shared updates, live clips, and fan interactions to foster grassroots buzz around the single during its chart ascent.Commercial performance
Chart performance
"Lips of an Angel" by Hinder achieved notable success on music charts, particularly in the United States and Australia, where it reached high positions on multiple formats. The song's crossover appeal helped it perform strongly on pop and rock airplay charts, contributing to its longevity. In the United States, "Lips of an Angel" peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week on October 14, 2006, and remained on the chart for 33 weeks. It also topped the now-defunct Pop 100 chart and the Mainstream Top 40 chart, while reaching number 3 on the Mainstream Rock chart and number 8 on the Alternative Songs chart. Internationally, the song topped the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia for seven consecutive weeks beginning January 29, 2007. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart in March 2007. In Canada, it reached number 1 on the Digital Song Sales chart and number 31 on the Canadian Hot 100. The track also entered the top 20 in several European countries, peaking at number 17 on the European Hot 100 Singles chart. On year-end charts, "Lips of an Angel" ranked number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 2006.| Chart (2006–2007) | Peak position | Weeks on chart |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 1 | 22 |
| Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard) | 1 | — |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 5 | 9 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 3 | 33 |
| US Alternative Songs (Billboard) | 8 | 28 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) | 3 | 26 |
| US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) | 1 | 36 |
| US Pop 100 (Billboard) | 1 | 58 |
Certifications
In the United States, "Lips of an Angel" was certified Gold by the RIAA on December 6, 2007, for 500,000 units, Platinum on December 5, 2013, for 1 million units, and has since reached 4× Platinum status, equivalent to 4 million units including digital sales and on-demand audio/video streams under post-2016 RIAA guidelines.[7][39] The single was certified Platinum by the ARIA in Australia in 2007, representing shipments of 70,000 units.[40] It was certified 2× Platinum by Recorded Music NZ in 2007 for sales of 30,000 units.[2] By 2010, "Lips of an Angel" had sold over 5 million copies worldwide, including significant digital and ringtone sales.[2]| Region | Certifying Body | Certification | Units (as certified) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | ARIA | Platinum | 70,000 | 2007 |
| New Zealand | RMNZ | 2× Platinum | 30,000 | 2007 |
| United States | RIAA | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000 | 2019 |