From Metaspoon

Back in 1997, Canadian singer and songwriter Sarah McLachlan released “Arms of the Angel” on her Surfacing album. This achingly beautiful song was inspired by the death of fellow musician, Jonathan Melvoin of the Smashing Pumpkin. Melvoin had turned to drugs as a means to cope with life’s pressures and he tragically died from an overdose. McLachlan explained that the song is about “trying not to take responsibility for other people’s problems and trying to love yourself at the same time.”

The song was tremendously popular, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it became the song for love, comfort, and healing. Accordingly, “Arms of the Angel” was featured on numerous TV and movie soundtracks, and it was performed at the Flight 93 Memorial and the tribute to Linda McCartney. The song was also famously used in an advertisement for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

More than 10 years after the song’s original release, McLachlan performed a very special version of “Arms of the Angel” at the American Music Awards. McLachlan was joined on stage by Pink for an absolutely stunning duet.

The idea for the duet was born when the pair met at Ellen Degeneres’ 50th birthday. Sarah explained, “She told me about seeing Prince playing ‘Angel’ at Coachella and that she sang every word at top of her lungs. And I thought, ‘Hmm…I think I know who might be able to sing it with me.’ I love her voice, she’s got a great rock ‘n’ roll grit that’s really soulful as well.” And thank goodness for this chance meeting because this may very well be my favourite version of this beautiful song.

Watch the video below and let us know what you think!