Host of Angels

Host of Angels" is a song recorded by Australian singer and songwriter Taylor Henderson for his second studio album Burnt Letters. It was released to Australian radio stations on 18 September 2014 as the third single from the album. The song was written by Henderson and Jon Hume, who also produced the track alongside Louis Schoorl.

"Host of Angels"
Single by Taylor Henderson
from the album Burnt Letters
Released18 September 2014 (2014-09-18)
RecordedThe Stables Studio, Melbourne; New Holland Studio, Sydney; Sony Studios, Sydney
GenrePop
Length4:21
LabelSony
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Taylor Henderson singles chronology
"Already Gone"
(2014)		 "Host of Angels"
(2014)		 "Brighter Days"
(2014)

"Host of Angels" is a piano ballad that was written for Henderson's youngest sister to help her cope with the divorce of their parents. The song received positive reviews from critics, who complimented its arrangement and Henderson's vocals. Upon its release as a single, "Host of Angels" debuted at number 55 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Henderson promoted the track with interviews and performances on television and radio programs.

Background and writing

"Host of Angels" was written by Taylor Henderson and Jon Hume, who also produced the track alongside Louis Schoorl.[1] Henderson initially started writing "Host of Angels" when he was 15 years old.[2] While working on his second studio album Burnt Letters (2014), Henderson got Hume to help him finish writing the song.[3] Henderson admitted that "Host of Angels" is "one of the most personal songs" on Burnt Letters and added that "it was probably the most easiest song to write" because of how personal it is to him.[4]

"Host of Angels" is a piano ballad[5] that was written for Henderson's youngest sister to help her cope with their parents' divorce.[3][6] Henderson found out about their divorce at the age of 13, while his sister was five years old at the time.[7] He said, "My sister is now [at] that age [I found out] and she's dealing with that situation, and working through it from her understanding. I just wanted to hold her hand through this song, to let her know I'll always be there for her, regardless of what happens in her life."[8] In "Host of Angels", Henderson reminds his sister that she will be okay, with lyrics such as "But oh, I know you'll make it through, There's a host of angels watching over, over you."[3][4]

Release and reception

On 17 September 2014, Henderson announced on his Twitter account that "Host of Angels" would be released as the follow-up to his previous single "Already Gone".[9] The following day, "Host of Angels" was sent to Australian radio stations as the third single from Burnt Letters.[9][10] Siobhan Graham of Underage.com.au described the song as a "heartfelt ballad",[3] while Q News called it a "gentle ballad" and thought it was one of the great tracks on Burnt Letters.[11] Nathan Pike of Project U wrote that the "beautiful ballad" showcases "the incredible vocals that we've come to love from" Henderson.[12] Take 40 Australia described "Host of Angels" as a "beautiful" and "stunning ballad".[2] Renowned for Sound's Marcus Floyd wrote that "it was nice to hear the piano take the lead" in the song.[5] For the issue dated 13 October 2014, "Host of Angels" debuted at number 55 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[13]

Promotion

Henderson promoted "Host of Angels" with a radio interview on Smallzy's Surgery on 1 October 2014.[14] He then performed the song during the ninth live decider show of the sixth season of The X Factor Australia on 6 October 2014.[15] Henderson also performed "Host of Angels" on KIIS 106.5 (7 October 2014),[16] Sunrise (9 October 2014),[17] at the Channel Seven Perth Telethon (26 October 2014)[18] and on The Morning Show (18 December 2014).[19] The accompanying music video for "Host of Angels" was directed by Matt Sharpe and premiered on Henderson's Vevo account on 13 October 2014.[20]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Burnt Letters.[1]

Locations
Personnel
  • Songwriting – Taylor Henderson, Shane Lee Evans
  • Production – Jon Hume, Louis Schoorl
  • Engineering – Jon Hume, Louis Schoorl
  • Recording – Jon Hume, Louis Schoorl, Adrian Breakspear
  • Mixing – Jon Hume
  • Electric guitar, piano, percussion and bass – Jon Hume
  • Bass, drums, acoustic guitar and piano – Louis Schoorl
  • Background vocals – Taylor Henderson
  • Violin – Michael Wong
  • Cello – Jesse Martin
  • Mastering – Leon Zervos

Charts
Chart (2014) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 55

Release history
Country Date Format Label
Australia 18 September 2014[9][10] Radio Sony Music Australia

References
  1. Burnt Letters (CD). Taylor Henderson. Sony Music Australia Pty Ltd. 2014. p. 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. "Caitlyn Shadbolt leaves The X Factor – Our Recap". Take 40 Australia. Authentic Entertainment. 6 October 2014. Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  3. Graham, Siobhan (22 July 2014). "Interview: Taylor Henderson Talks 'Burnt Letters' And 2014 Australian Tour". Underage.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014.
  4. Host of Angels (Commentary) – Taylor Henderson. Vevo. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  5. Floyd, Marcus (13 July 2014). "Album Review: Taylor Henderson – Burnt Letters". Renowned for Sound. Archived from the original on 8 October 2014.
  6. McDonald, Alasdair (10 June 2014). "Taylor Henderson and that loving smile". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  7. Chandra, Jessica (10 July 2014). "Taylor Henderson Interview On New Album Burnt Letters". Pop Sugar Australia. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014.
  8. "Biography". TaylorHendersonOfficial.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014.
  9. "@taylorhenders0n status". Twitter. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  10. Kylie (18 September 2014). "On the air... new single 'Host of Angels' from Taylor Henderson". Sticky Trigger Entertainment. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  11. "Review: Taylor Henderson – Burnt Letters". Q News. 28 August 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014.
  12. Pike, Nathan (September 2014). "Taylor Henderson has a lovely new ballad called 'Host of Angels'". ProjectU.tv. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014.
  13. Ryan, Gavin (11 October 2014). "The Veronicas Spend Third Week On Top Of ARIA Singles Chart". Noise11. Noise Network. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  14. Stevens, Tom. "Smallzy's Surgery Podcast – 1 October 2014". Smallzy's Surgery. Nova FM. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014.
  15. "Nico & Vinz and Taylor Henderson: Live Decider 9 Special Guests". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. 1 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  16. "Taylor Henderson – Host of Angels (Live and Acoustic)". KIIS 106.5. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014.
  17. "Taylor Henderson Live". Sunrise. Yahoo!7. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  18. Martin, Kaylee (26 October 2014). "Justice Crew and Taylor Henderson devote new singles to best girls". The West Australian. Seven West Media. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  19. "Taylor still has that X Factor". The Morning Show. Yahoo!7. 18 December 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  20. Host of Angels – Taylor Henderson. Vevo. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
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