Angel
Fleetwood Mac
Ethereal Longing and Unattainable Dreams in Fleetwood Mac's 'Angel'
Fleetwood Mac's song 'Angel' is a poetic exploration of longing, innocence, and the elusive nature of dreams. The lyrics paint a picture of beautiful and innocent things that often pass us by, symbolizing missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams. The recurring theme of things 'passing by' suggests a sense of regret and the transient nature of life's most precious moments. This is further emphasized by the repeated line 'Keep passing me by,' which underscores the feeling of watching life unfold without being able to grasp its fleeting beauty.
The song also delves into the complexity of human emotions and relationships. The lines 'You feel good, I said it's funny that you understood, I knew you would' reflect a deep connection and understanding between two people. However, this connection is tinged with a sense of melancholy, as the narrator acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining this bond. The imagery of becoming 'that part of the wind that we all long for sometime' evokes a sense of yearning for something unattainable, something that can only be felt but never fully grasped.
The metaphor of the 'angel of my dreams' serves as a central motif in the song, representing an idealized, almost ethereal figure that the narrator longs for but can never truly possess. This angel is described as a 'ghost through a fog,' highlighting its elusive and intangible nature. The song's haunting melody and evocative lyrics create a dreamlike atmosphere, capturing the essence of longing and the bittersweet beauty of unattainable dreams. The final lines, 'Oh, you try hard, but you'll never catch me,' encapsulate the elusive nature of these dreams, suggesting that some things are meant to remain just out of reach, forever haunting our thoughts and desires.