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A Love So Unexpected: Earl Thomas Conley’s “Angel in Disguise”

A Love So Unexpected: Earl Thomas Conley’s “Angel in Disguise”
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

In 1983, country singer Earl Thomas Conley released “Angel in Disguise” as part of his album Don’t Make It Easy for Me.

The song instantly became a massive hit, landing at no.1 on both US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) and Canadian RPM Country Tracks – making it one of the artist’s greatest hits. 

As one of the no.1 country singles of the eighties, “Angel in Disguise” is considered one of the rarest gems of country music. Its synthesizer arrangement is cold and tinny, complimented by Earl Thomas’ nasal and strained vocals – overall, giving the song that mellow feel. 

But there is more to this song that enabled it to become such a big hit. As we dive right into its meaning, we’ll eventually find out the reason why listeners just couldn’t get enough of it. 

Meaning Behind the Song 

Written by Earl Thomas Conley and Randy Scruggs, the song is simply about a love between two people that grew unexpectedly. 

It is the story of a protagonist who spends one night with a woman whom he never imagined falling in love with. But, after she showed him how good love can feel, despite him not being ready to commit, he ended up falling in love with her so hard – eventually causing him to look at her as if she was an “Angel in Disguise.”

RELATED: Keith Whitley And Earl Thomas Conley’s Duet Of A “Brotherly Love” Will Surely Warm Your Heart

There is no denying that falling in love with someone can sometimes be unpredictable, full of surprises, and is something no one can ever be prepared for. Considering that many of us can relate to how love makes us feel these roller coasters of emotions, the song instantly became a massive hit for listeners. 

So if you find yourself in the same situation, try listening to Earl Thomas Conley’s amazing performance of “Angel in Disguise” below. 

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