“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.” 

Introduction

Imagine waking up every morning to the warmth of a loved one’s smile—the kind of simple joy that brightens your entire day. “Kiss An Angel Good Morning,” written by Ben Peters and performed by Charley Pride, captures that essence of pure affection in a way that makes it timeless. Released in 1971, this song became an anthem for spreading happiness and love, marking a peak in Pride’s incredible career. For many, it’s not just a country hit but a reminder to cherish life’s simple moments, making it deeply personal for listeners across generations.

About The Composition

  • Title: Kiss An Angel Good Morning
  • Composer: Ben Peters
  • Premiere Date: 1971
  • Album: Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs
  • Genre: Country

Background

“Kiss An Angel Good Morning” was written by Ben Peters and first recorded by Charley Pride in 1971. This song was part of Pride’s Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs album and quickly became one of his most iconic tracks. It marked a pivotal moment for Pride, becoming a crossover hit that not only topped the country charts but also entered the pop charts, widening his audience. The song’s success played a significant role in further establishing Charley Pride as a groundbreaking African-American country artist in a predominantly white genre. Its message about love and contentment resonated with listeners, becoming a cultural touchstone.

Musical Style

Musically, “Kiss An Angel Good Morning” sticks to the roots of traditional country, with its simple, guitar-driven melody. The song’s upbeat tempo and catchy chorus are punctuated by the smoothness of Pride’s voice, giving the track its easygoing charm. The production balances traditional instrumentation like steel guitars with modern elements, creating a sound that’s both classic and accessible to a broad audience. The structure of the song is straightforward, allowing the message of the lyrics to shine through while keeping the music light and joyful.

Lyrics

The lyrics of “Kiss An Angel Good Morning” are a celebration of love and the joy that comes from affectionate moments. The simplicity of the lyrics is part of the song’s charm: “Kiss an angel good morning, and love her like the devil when you get back home.” It conveys a timeless message about the importance of maintaining love and warmth in relationships. This refrain, repeated throughout the song, emphasizes the value of small gestures in expressing affection and keeping the spark alive in everyday life.

Performance History

“Kiss An Angel Good Morning” was an instant success, becoming Pride’s eighth No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1971. It also reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, proving its crossover appeal. The song is considered one of Charley Pride’s signature tunes, and he performed it regularly throughout his career. Over the decades, it has been covered by various artists, further cementing its place in country music history.

Cultural Impact

The song’s influence extends beyond the world of country music. Its upbeat and positive message made it a favorite for many listeners, regardless of their musical preferences. “Kiss An Angel Good Morning” became a hallmark of Pride’s career, symbolizing his trailblazing role as one of the few Black artists in country music to achieve mainstream success. The song has appeared in various media over the years, including commercials, films, and television, reflecting its wide-reaching appeal.

Legacy

“Kiss An Angel Good Morning” remains one of Charley Pride’s most enduring songs. Its message of love and affection still resonates with audiences today, making it a timeless classic. Pride’s rendition of the song solidified his place in country music history and broke barriers for future generations of artists. Even after Pride’s passing in 2020, the song continues to be celebrated, reminding listeners of the power of love and the importance of small, meaningful gestures.

Conclusion

“Kiss An Angel Good Morning” is more than just a country hit; it’s a reminder to cherish love in its simplest form. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Charley Pride or discovering the song for the first time, its timeless appeal will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. I highly recommend listening to live performances of this song, where Pride’s smooth delivery and genuine warmth truly shine through.

Video

Lyrics

… When ever I chance to meet, old friends on the street
They wonder how does a man get to be this way
Always got a smiling face, anytime and any place
And every time they ask me why I just smile and say
… ‘Cause you’ve got to kiss an angel good morning
And let her know you think about her when you’re gone
Kiss an angel good morning
And love her like the devil when you get back home
… Though people may try to guess, the secret of our happiness
But some of them never learn it’s a simple thing
The secret I’ma speaking of, is a woman and a man in love
And the answer is in this song that I always sing
… ‘Cause you’ve got to kiss an angel good morning
And let her know you think about her when you’re gone
Kiss an angel good morning
And love her like the devil when you get back home
… Kiss an angel good morning
And let her know you think about her when you’re gone
Kiss an angel good morning
And love her like the devil when you get back home

You Missed

THE CARTER FAMILY RECORDED AMERICA’S FIRST COUNTRY HIT IN A HAT FACTORY WAREHOUSE. MAYBELLE WAS 18 AND EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT. A.P. Carter had to hoe his brother’s corn patch for two days just to borrow the car. Then he loaded his wife Sara, two small kids, and Ezra’s 18-year-old pregnant wife Maybelle into a borrowed sedan and drove 26 miles of dirt road to Bristol, Tennessee. The car stalled in a swollen river. Sara and Maybelle hiked up their dresses, held the instruments above their heads, and pushed. Sara thought it was pointless. “Ain’t nobody going to pay us fifty dollars to sing a song.” She was wrong. Ralph Peer from Victor Records had set up on the second floor of an empty hat factory. August 1927. Sara nursed the baby between takes. On day two, A.P. stayed behind to fix a flat tire, so Sara and Maybelle recorded “Single Girl, Married Girl” without him. Maybelle played a guitar style she’d invented alone in a cabin on Clinch Mountain — melody on the bass strings, chords brushed above. Every guitar textbook in America now calls it the “Carter scratch.” She was 18 when she figured it out without a teacher or a book. Six songs. $50 each. That session launched country music. But within a few years, Sara fell in love with A.P.’s cousin — and what happened next on a live radio broadcast reaching all of North America is the part that splits people right down the middle. Sara kept singing beside a husband she’d already left so the music wouldn’t die. Maybelle kept playing through a pregnancy that would’ve kept most people home. Was the Carter Family built on love — or on stubbornness that just happened to sound beautiful?