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The Black Crowes — She Talks to Angels
Album: Shake Your Money Maker
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1508









Released: 1990
Length: 5:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
She never mentions the word addiction
In certain company
Yes, she'll tell you she's an orphan
After you meet her family

She paints her eyes as black as night now
Pulls those shades down tight
Yeah she gives a smile when the pain comes
The pain gonna make everything alright

Chorus:
Says she talks to angels
They call her out by her name
Oh yeah, she talks to angels
Says they call her out by her name

She keeps a lock of hair in her pocket
She wears a cross around her neck
Yes the hair is from a little boy
And the cross from someone she has not met
Not yet

Chorus 2:
Says she talks to angels
Says they all know her name
Oh yeah, she talks to angels
Says they call her out by her name

She don't know no lover
None that I ever seen
And to her that ain't nothing
But to me it means, means everything

She paints her eyes as black as night now
She pulls those shades down tight
Oh yeah there's a smile when the pain comes
The pain gonna make everything alright
Alright yeah

She talks to angels
Says they call her out by her name
Oh yeah, yeah angels
Call her out by her name
Oh, oh, oh angels
They call her out by her name
Oh, she talks to angels
They call her out,
Yeah, yeah call her out
Don't you know that they call her out
By her name
Comments (117)add comment
  
I'm reminded of the time I went to see The Black Crowes perform live at least 20 years ago. I went with a few young women who absolutely adored this song, but hadn't been exposed to the rest of their catalogue. To their (the girls) supreme disappointment, the band NEVER played this song. Once the second set ended, the girls were anxiously reassuring one another that certainly the band would play "She Talks To Angels" for the encore. Nope. They played "Hard to Handle," much to my delight :) 
 calypsus_1 wrote:

he's a lot of fun to watch on stage. love the way he moves and grooves.
 sfyi2001 wrote:




what a great shot. 
I can't understand how anyone could NOT like this ?!?
It moves the fabric of time.
My girlfriend and I broke up. A month later she brought me Black Crowes tickets as an olive branch.  That was 1990. We've been married since '95. I have a soft spot for this song.
Saw them in Osaka last autumn, still got it, great R&R! More B.Crowes please Bill.
This sounds a lot like John Mellencamp to me.
There appears to be a Black Crowes/Chris Robinson deficit of songs on RP. 
Not my kinda tune. It feels forced and mock-dramatic to me,

still… I’ve only ever heard this on RP…. And maybe need to hear more of their compositions.  it’s a 2 for now.
Chris R completely fucked his voice up after 'Southern Harmony'  
He was great when he learned to sing from Kelly Holland but he didn't sustain it.  In his live performances  he threw his technique around so much that the timing and lyrics were always off.  He is the blackiest of crowes! 
 jp33442 wrote:
talking about your sex  life?




Actually i hate when that happens
 jarad.petroske176 wrote:

Sucko Barfo

talking about your sex  life?

Great song, cool acoustic guitars, great vocals! Has a true Southern Rock sound, IMHO!
Sucko Barfo


This song reminds me of a great many lost souls I have known through the years, some dead and others living. But mostly it reminds me of my sister who didn't make it out of that life.At least not in this one.
To me, this sounds like it could have been a Manics B-side
 Relayer wrote:
Man, I miss the Black Crowes. I"ve seen them at least 20 times since my first concert in 1990 when they opened for Robert Plant.

I saw Chris Robinson play a one man acoustic show in San Fran in 2017. It was like watching a drunk homeless man yell at people. He just bitched and yelled at the audience about them being loud or requesting songs. Sucked hard.

6 months later, I saw The Magpie Salute in concert, which is basically Rich Robinson with 3 other members of Black Crowes moving on without Chris Robinson. Their show was spectacular. They are the true Black Crowes now.
 

It sounds t'me like you harbor some kinda hateful grudge against Chris Robinson on account of his rough and rowdy past (and having the nerve to choose his own musical direction).

Here is a Popmatters review of the show that you panned so mercilessly:  https://www.popmatters.com/chr...

The money quote from said article:  "This gets the evening’s services off to a vibrant start. He follows with a later era Crowes song in “Oh Josephine”, a heartbreak lament from the band’s underrated 2008 Warpaint album. But then the perils of putting oneself out there in a solo acoustic format in this day and age of the short attention span pops up, as the end of the song is quickly followed by the typical chatter that occurs at most music clubs these days. Robinson takes umbrage, chastising the crowd as he points out that it’s tough to concentrate on delivering this type of focused performance with that kind of background noise. The crowd settles down for the most part, although it’s not the last time of the evening something needs to be said about it."

Perhaps you might have been part of the problem, and quite out of place given your antipathy for Mr. Robinson, at this show.

Chris Robinson clearly chose to move in a different musical direction with CRB after leaving the Crowes.  That is his choice.  Many love the new direction and his team up with Neil Casal and others.  Their latest CRB album is excellent.

I am glad to hear, though, that the other members of the Crowes have found their own vehicle in The Magpie Salute. Their new album "High Water Mark II" comes out in October.  I'll have to check them out.

Had the pleasure of seeing the Chris Robinson Brotherhood in Amsterdam recently - the man still has what it takes to groove ya move ya and make you wanna say “yeah fuck”
Man, I miss the Black Crowes. I"ve seen them at least 20 times since my first concert in 1990 when they opened for Robert Plant.

I saw Chris Robinson play a one man acoustic show in San Fran in 2017. It was like watching a drunk homeless man yell at people. He just bitched and yelled at the audience about them being loud or requesting songs. Sucked hard.

6 months later, I saw The Magpie Salute in concert, which is basically Rich Robinson with 3 other members of Black Crowes moving on without Chris Robinson. Their show was spectacular. They are the true Black Crowes now.
 michaele wrote:
Does she have cancer? Or is she a heroin addict? Either way, she's probably dead by now. lol

 
For some, dead addicts and cancer patients are laugh out loud funny.   Good to know.
Radio Magic. After proselytizing recently about this amazing station. How do you manage to be so SPOT ON?
 

unclehud wrote:
Brings tears to my eyes, and that's a very rare event.

 



                                          Pretty bad, yeah, but TEARS?


.


                                               
Brings tears to my eyes, and that's a very rare event.
Remember that Amorica album?  I really dug that.  Gonna have to dig it up again. 
Did I imagine hearing a very faint Guns 'n Roses 'sweet child of mine' riff at the start of this track?
Great track 
Their stand out song imo.
Chris really sings his heart and soul out on this one, and what a wonderfully well-written song it is, too... Truly marvelous, every time...
(always thought this was john cougar melloncamp, never left it on long enough to see, so bleh)
An amazing song. Bill needs to play more Black Crowes on RP!
 
i saw Black Crowes on Sat Nite Live and the lead vocal was mixed out,
like you think you heard a voice, but could hear the screaming
but the thing sounded so good
'bout broke the TV, just awesome 
 boober wrote:

What about transvestites?

 
Over my pay grade.


 Geecheeboy wrote:

This song has been the favorite of several women I know.  Never known a guy to love it like they do. 



 
What about transvestites?
*Smashes-down on the PSD button*
This one, I always crank. I also really dig 'Been A Long Time Waitin' (on Love)' from their Before The Frost album; he goes even wilder.
{#Clap}  {#Clap} {#Clap}

There's just somethin about this band...  {#Hearteyes}
 sirdroseph wrote:


Yea gotta agree with that.  Great album, could've picked another track for RP imo.

 
100% agree, Hard to Handle is a better choice (see that Bill played it before but never when I listen to RP)
A piece of gold, Black crowes looked promising with this album although they never surpased it. A great song that makes me turn up the volume= 10
SO much better than the Counting Crows.
 Geecheeboy wrote:

This song has been the favorite of several women I know.  Never known a guy to love it like they do. 



 

Yea gotta agree with that.  Great album, could've picked another track for RP imo.
Perfect
This was the 1st band I ever saw live on the shake your money maker world tour over here in London. Still love the song and boy can mr Robinson hold a tune. Top live band
 LongGoneDaddy wrote:
damn, just when you thought it was safe to listen...
send it back to ClearChannel, plz... 
 

"OMG I've heard this song on the radio so it shouldn't be played on RP!!"

Whatever.  It's a great song.
One of the best voices in all of rock......8.. (imho)
damn, just when you thought it was safe to listen...
send it back to ClearChannel, plz... 
Oh yea... Love the Black Crowes!!!  {#Angel}
 michaele wrote:
Does she have cancer? Or is she a heroin addict? Either way, she's probably dead by now. lol
 
smack
 
Good wednesday morning song
Yessssss!
 RedGuitar wrote:
The Crowes' first CD is a kick-a$$ piece of work.  Every track is a winner, IMHO.
 
Agreed


This song has been the favorite of several women I know.  Never known a guy to love it like they do. 


 michaele wrote:
Does she have cancer? Or is she a heroin addict? Either way, she's probably dead by now. lol
 
I always thought she got migraines. Maybe she's recovered from them by now.

Does she have cancer? Or is she a heroin addict? Either way, she's probably dead by now. lol
I don't care if I hear this song 100 times, it's still awesome! What soul from Mr. Robinson! Probably my favorite Black Crowes song and that's saying a lot because they have SO many good songs in their catalog.
The Crowes' first CD is a kick-a$$ piece of work.  Every track is a winner, IMHO.
 toterola wrote:
I remember when they were on tour for this album. They had a gig opening for Z.Z. Topp, who was sponsored by Budweiser at the time.

Chris Robinson took the stage, a couple of dates into the tour, and said something to the effect of "We are The Black Crowes, brought to you by The Black Crowes, corporation-free". They got canned, and Uncle Tupelo (Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar) took their place for the rest of the tour. Then Uncle Tupelo split up, and we got Son Volt and Wilco. Good times!{#Wave}

I always respected The Crowes for taking that stand. It's really easy to be a whore in the entertainment biz. Having principles and backbone, not so much.{#Clap}
 
I was at that show in Atlanta. And I knew immediately that Chris had stepped on his D*** when he said that.

 bachbeet wrote:
Never liked this group much.  Don't know why.
 
Same here.

 toterola wrote:
I remember when they were on tour for this album. They had a gig opening for Z.Z. Topp, who was sponsored by Budweiser at the time.

Chris Robinson took the stage, a couple of dates into the tour, and said something to the effect of "We are The Black Crowes, brought to you by The Black Crowes, corporation-free". They got canned, and Uncle Tupelo (Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar) took their place for the rest of the tour. Then Uncle Tupelo split up, and we got Son Volt and Wilco. Good times!{#Wave}

I always respected The Crowes for taking that stand. It's really easy to be a whore in the entertainment biz. Having principles and backbone, not so much.{#Clap}
 

The largest part of what got them axed from the tour was where Chris mentioned that there are no pre-recorded backing tracks and that this is a pure live band. Then there was a mention of the head liner not following a pure live performance as the Crowes.
   This pissed off the powers to be which was ZZ Top and crew. the corporate-free remark did not help much either.
THE BLACK TRUCKS?
Or...?
The DEREK CROWES BAND?

I prefer the BC - by far!!!


Black Crowes by ~greeneyed-gipsy
©2005-2010 ~greeneyed-gipsy

 Nabla wrote:
Firstly, I thought on John Cougar Mellencamp...
 
Yah, me too.

I've always liked the song, but my mouse rated it a 6 just because it's heard it eleventybajillion times since it was released. It's a good song, though.

Edit: I'm just mentally downrating this to a 5.5. *squint*

Never liked this group much.  Don't know why.
 toterola wrote:
I remember when they were on tour for this album. They had a gig opening for Z.Z. Topp, who was sponsored by Budweiser at the time.

Chris Robinson took the stage, a couple of dates into the tour, and said something to the effect of "We are The Black Crowes, brought to you by The Black Crowes, corporation-free". They got canned, and Uncle Tupelo (Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar) took their place for the rest of the tour. Then Uncle Tupelo split up, and we got Son Volt and Wilco. Good times!{#Wave}

I always respected The Crowes for taking that stand. It's really easy to be a whore in the entertainment biz. Having principles and backbone, not so much.{#Clap}
 
Are you kidding? Being a whore is hard work. I don't know about you, but I work hard for the money, so hard for it honey.
Here you are listening to the music for FREE. If they're whores, does that make you a deadbeat? 
When did making money and being an artist have to be mutually exclusive? www.papernapkin.com
Reminds me of John Mellencamp.
 toterola wrote:
I remember when they were on tour for this album. They had a gig opening for Z.Z. Topp, who was sponsored by Budweiser at the time.

Chris Robinson took the stage, a couple of dates into the tour, and said something to the effect of "We are The Black Crowes, brought to you by The Black Crowes, corporation-free". They got canned, and Uncle Tupelo (Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar) took their place for the rest of the tour. Then Uncle Tupelo split up, and we got Son Volt and Wilco. Good times!{#Wave}

I always respected The Crowes for taking that stand. It's really easy to be a whore in the entertainment biz. Having principles and backbone, not so much.{#Clap}
 
How is it that the Black Crowes are corporation-free? They printed their own picture and CD cover and personally sold them all? They had an indigenous Guatemalan textile cooperative make their clothes?

Did they give to charity all the money that they earned touring? I hope they kept some of it, they should get paid, and if lots of people come to the concerts and pay a lot for the tickets, then the band and all the corporations involved should get paid well.  

It's cheesy to have Budweiser patches on your guitar like a nascar car, but getting paid for making music is really different from prostitution.

Maybe Chris Robinson was just jealous of the money that Z.Z. Topp was getting and the stand wasn't so principled after all.

Excelsior wrote:
Sounds like Train... UGH.

Train tries to sound like the Black Crowes, but fails.

 oilydwarf wrote:

sounds good, got any more details? 

 

not sure if this is what you are looking for...
https://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Feather-Chris-Robinson/dp/B000RGSO9Q

there is a DVD & CD package that is a better deal than just the CD, plus you can watch the show...do some digging, you'll find it.

of course, make sure that you go to wherever you purchase via RP so that they can get their cut...it's the least we can do to support this truly great public service Bill & Rebecca provide us each & every day.
oh jeez, not able to appreciate their sound at all.{#Moon}
azdcryan wrote:
Anyone who appreciates the value of what these boys bring should run, not walk to find the duo acoustic offering from Chris & Rich...brothers of a feather...Crowes stuff and covers of devotionals and folk songs recorded at the Roxy in LA, that is truly awesome.


sounds good, got any more details? 

One of the best voices in all of rock!
Anyone who appreciates the value of what these boys bring should run, not walk to find the duo acoustic offering from Chris & Rich...brothers of a feather...Crowes stuff and covers of devotionals and folk songs recorded at the Roxy in LA, that is truly awesome.

 Excelsior wrote:
Sounds like Train... UGH.
 

and you sound like an idiot.  as usual.
thankfully you haven't been 'round these parts for a few months.
Nice story, thanks for sharing, toterola.  Kinda makes me wonder if the Crowes would have become am even "bigger" band with a little more suckuptitude.

Principles and the music business don't mesh, as we all know! {#Frown}

 toterola wrote:
I always respected The Crowes for taking that stand. It's really easy to be a whore in the entertainment biz. Having principles and backbone, not so much.{#Clap}
 

I remember when they were on tour for this album. They had a gig opening for Z.Z. Topp, who was sponsored by Budweiser at the time.

Chris Robinson took the stage, a couple of dates into the tour, and said something to the effect of "We are The Black Crowes, brought to you by The Black Crowes, corporation-free". They got canned, and Uncle Tupelo (Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar) took their place for the rest of the tour. Then Uncle Tupelo split up, and we got Son Volt and Wilco. Good times!{#Wave}

I always respected The Crowes for taking that stand. It's really easy to be a whore in the entertainment biz. Having principles and backbone, not so much.{#Clap}
Good tune.  I can't friggin' believe this record is almost 20 years old!

Not the greatest thing I've ever heard, for sure, but doesn't sound all that dated, at least to me.

Mediocre band, decent song, nostalgic factors at work.


 ndad47 wrote:

great band.   great song.  you can't say more than that.


 
true....


great band.   great song.  you can't say more than that.


IIRC, they have a couple real good guitar pickers in the band - Rich Robinson and Luther Dickinson (N. Miss. All-Stars).

love 'em.
love this song, haven't heard it in too long..  thanks for digging this one up, Bill.  Great album, too. 
altay wrote:
Surprised to see this song to be rated so high.
Surprised to see it rated so low. My favorite song about a drug addicted basket case of a girl. Small category; thankfully.
Excelsior wrote:
Sounds like Train... UGH.
If you think so, but they sound like Train 15 years before it was cool to sound like Train.
Sounds like Train... UGH.
Grizzly_old_man wrote:
I have always wondered just how this band managed it. To me they have no talent. I particularly dislike this song. There may be something they have done that does not suck but I will probably never give it a chance because of this one.
After I got a 1080p hi def TV and the high def cable to boot, Hidef music tv has a 1 hour unplugged with the Crowes doing their most recent album. I never really cared for these guys either, but that show really made me step back and reevaluate the Crowes. And I have come away with a new found respect. They are very tight with good harmonies. Plus, the lead singer's new beard gives him that "hippy" persona that all rock stars look for. Kinda Jim Morrison (without the bloated face appearance).
Surprised to see this song to be rated so high.
Brotherchaos1980 wrote:
Most... overrated... song... ever...
Definitely in the top five, anyway.
In the fairly early 70's I made the mistake of fixing my sisters boyfriends guitar one day. He had pulled the socket for the amp lead out and broke the plastic it had been fastened to. Simple enough fix but when it came to repair of any kind, you'd swear he had all thumbs on both hands and could not even begin to solder anything. This led to me fixing a bunch of his ‘band's' gear including the Leslie speaker for their organ. Eventually I became their light and sound man. From being around their band, I gained a little insight as to just how hard it is to get someone to listen to your music so you can get studio time to get a ‘asswhackimonsterkillerwithabullit' song recorded so you can get air play and make a zillion dollars and be a rich rock star. I have always wondered just how this band managed it. To me they have no talent. I particularly dislike this song. There may be something they have done that does not suck but I will probably never give it a chance because of this one.
Brotherchaos1980 and HokieRider, into the ring to duke it out.
Unbelievable live shows if you get a chance to see them. Lucky for us they've started touring again. I can't wait.
Brotherchaos1980 wrote:
Most... overrated... song... ever...
Kidding..I hope
Nice article in this month's Paste Magazine about these guys...
Most... overrated... song... ever...
One of my all time favorites! Yay RP!
Turn it up!
This song is a classic.
Firstly, I thought on John Cougar Mellencamp...
This song impelled me to look up the word 'dreck' to see if it was an apt descriptor. It is indeed.
Jimi_the_Saint wrote:
Agree with Southern Harmony. It's my favorite (by far) Crowes album, but I think Lions is at least as good as Amorica. Regradless, I'd love to hear more Black Crowes on RP.
True..Southern Harmony is the best Crowes album, I agree! Followed by Amorica. 3 snakes & 1 Charm is also very likeable..albeit it strays from the others in style, but the way the Crowes change it up makes them amazingly talented. The Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes double disc is lesser known(?) but is truly great. They hit home like no other band...Ahh..more CROWES, please!
I think bill needs a better image for the cover art.
Misterfixit wrote:
That poor girl: Depression; Her baby died; Self-mutilation; Only G-d and His Angels love her; The lock of hair from her dead son; She feels the golden cross; Will it soothe her agony and pain?
No it won't. I think it is a song, not a case history.
That poor girl: Depression; Her baby died; Self-mutilation; Only G-d and His Angels love her; The lock of hair from her dead son; She feels the golden cross; Will it soothe her agony and pain?
marmelock wrote:
Aaahhhhhh..... The Crowes at their peak! Love it!
Agree, these guys were pretty fresh -- good lyrics -- good composition and the sound was theirs... Now...? They sound trite.
This song always makes everything okay.
She talks to The Butterscotch Stallion, too.
I think I knew this girl. and she broke my heart.
Aaahhhhhh..... The Crowes at their peak! Love it!
Rickvee wrote:
Agree with all of this except the Lions recommendation. I'd choose Amorica and Southern Harmony And Musical Companion as their greatest albums.
Agree with Southern Harmony. It's my favorite (by far) Crowes album, but I think Lions is at least as good as Amorica. Regradless, I'd love to hear more Black Crowes on RP.
agnes wrote:
The Crowes are going to go down in history as quite possibly the last great rock and roll band. What you hear in this track is only a tiny taste of the mind-boggling talent possessed by these guys. Check out amorica and Lions if you want the REAL Crowes.
Agree with all of this except the Lions recommendation. I'd choose Amorica and Southern Harmony And Musical Companion as their greatest albums.
Tell me did you sail across the sun? Did you make it to the milky way to see the lights all faded And that heaven is overrated?
lily33 wrote:
why here? are we on a traditional rock path or something? i must have missed that announcement.
The Crowes are going to go down in history as quite possibly the last great rock and roll band. What you hear in this track is only a tiny taste of the mind-boggling talent possessed by these guys. Check out amorica and Lions if you want the REAL Crowes.
What's wrong with a band that stands in the rock 'n' roll tradition so well? They really sound like a passionate rock 'n' rollband (or rock & soulband, rather).
This is mostly a rock balad type song.. its very well done, and for those that like to sing along.... is easier to do that to; too! Good Choice.. Less Filling ... Radio Paradise :D