How Alabama’s Hit ‘Angels Among Us’ Became a Salute to Fallen Heroes, Military Servicemen

Getty Images | Paul Morigi

Southern rock band Alabama’s popular ballad “Angels Among Us” has provided comfort to millions since its release in the early 1990s. Now, the song is moving in a whole new direction after being used on the soundtrack to a moving military tribute video.

Alabama has racked up over 30 hits on the Billboard charts since their formation in 1969, but the heartrending “Angels Among Us” remains one of their most well-known and beloved songs. As per Wide Open Country, the song, written by Don Goodman and Becky Hobbs, was originally released as a Christmas single on the band’s album “Cheap Seats.”

(L–R) Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook, and Randy Owen attend the 9th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sept. 1, 2015. ©Getty Images | Rick Diamond

As of 2020, “Angels Among Us” has been used in numerous tributes to fallen heroes and beloved public figures. In February 2001, the song was played at NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s funeral after the driver was killed in a three-car crash at Daytona International Speedway.

As per Classic Country Music, Alabama’s lead singer, Randy Owen, also performed a touching rendition of “Goodbye” for the attendees of Earnhardt’s funeral.

Almost 10 years later, “Angels Among Us” was called upon again, this time as the soundtrack to a moving video montage, shared by Apost, paying tribute to the hard work and dedication of the United States armed forces.

Randy Owen at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, on Oct. 22, 2017 ©Getty Images | Terry Wyatt

The video is accompanied by the caption, “A salute and tribute to our Armed Forces and those who support them,” and the montage exemplifies the far-reaching scope of the military and first responders’ sterling work.

“Angels Among Us,” featuring vocals by the Sanctuary Choir and Young Musicians Choir of the First Baptist Church of Fort Payne, Alabama, is perfectly suited to the sweet, somber tone of the video tribute.

Powerful images of men and women in their various roles on the front lines of duty draw a visual comparison between military personnel and the angels referred to in the song. As the iconic chorus goes:

Oh, I believe there are angels among us Sent down to us from somewhere up above They come to you and me in our darkest hours To show us how to live To teach us how to give To guide us with a light of love

Alabama perform during the "Deep from the Heart: The One America Appeal Concert" at Texas A&M University's Reed Arena in College Station, Texas, on Oct. 21, 2017. ©Getty Images | Rick Kern

“Angels Among Us” has been covered by multiple singers since Alabama’s original recording, including Sara Evans, RaeLynn, Scotty McCreery, and Demi Lovato, revisited each time for its comforting message in times of strife. In fact, the song, was originally conceived of after a near-fatal tragedy.

As per Advance Local, Nashville-based songwriter Becky Hobbs was inspired to write the song after surviving a car accident on her birthday, Jan. 25, 1986. The car was totaled; against the odds, all occupants of the vehicle survived.

Feeling as though angels had been watching over her that day, Hobbs penned her idea for the song. She completed the lyrics with Don Goodman during a songwriting collaboration in 1992, and “Angels Among Us” was born.

Hobbs sent a tape of the song to Alabama’s Randy Owen, and it fast became one of the band’s biggest hits. “It changed Alabama’s career for the better,” Owen said, as per Advance Local.

“To this day, a lot of people don’t know any more about Alabama than ‘Angels Among Us’ and ‘Christmas in Dixie,’” Owen reflected, adding, “You can do some really magical things with music.”