Angels Brought Me Here
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Music recordings |
'Angels Brought Me Here—also recognized by the alternate title Faith Has Brought Me Here—is a pop ballad performed by Australian singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian. Issued on 24 November 2003 as the lead single from his debut album, Just as I Am, the track was penned by Jörgen Elofsson and John Reid specifically for the first season of Network Ten's talent series, Australian Idol. Both finalists, Sebastian and Shannon Noll, recorded their own renditions; however, only Sebastian’s version was officially distributed by BMG. The promotional video, produced by Australian Idols Stephen Tate and directed by musical director John Foreman, debuted on Network Ten’s Video Hits on 22 November.
The single achieved the number one position on the ARIA Singles Chart, becoming Sebastian’s first of twelve top ten hits and six chart-toppers in Australia. Its initial week sales established a new benchmark for both an Australian artist and a debut release at that time, currently ranking second in highest one-week sales for an Australian artist's single. Certified five times platinum by the ARIA, it surpassed 350,000 copies sold. In January 2010, it was declared the best-selling single of the decade (2000–2009) and held the record for highest-selling single by an Australian artist until 2011. The track also reached number one on New Zealand’s RIANZ Singles Chart and received platinum accreditation there. In October 2004, Lisa B. Bermingham published Sebastian’s authorized biography titled Angels Brought Me Here.
Background
On 9 November 2003, during the penultimate episode of Network Ten's talent competition Australian Idol (2003), finalists Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll both performed "Angels Brought Me Here." Each finalist recorded their own version, with BMG prepared to release the winner's rendition immediately following the finale. Sebastian's victory performance attracted a record-breaking Australian television audience of 3.65 million viewers. After an encore performance on 19 November, his single was officially released in Australia on 24 November under BMG.
Sebastian described "Angels Brought Me Here" as encapsulating his journey through the competition, referring to it as "a great, inspirational song" that embodies how any winner of Australian Idol would feel. Conversely, Noll considered the song vocally demanding. The production of Sebastian’s version was handled by Bryon Jones (from Rockmelons) alongside Adam Reilly, who also managed programming duties. The accompanying B-side track, "When I Get You Alone," a live cover of Robin Thicke’s 2002 hit, was recorded during an Australian Idol session in October 2003.
Following this release, Sebastian’s next single "All I Need Is You," launched in February 2004, also debuted at number one. His third consecutive chart-topper, "Out with My Baby," originated from his sophomore album Beautiful Life (2004). Subsequently, he secured three additional number-one singles in Australia: "Like It Like That" (2009), "Who's That Girl" (2010), and "Battle Scars" (2012).
Lisa B. Bermingham authored Sebastian’s official biography titled Angels Brought Me Here, published in October 2004. In November 2010, Sebastian featured both the original and an acoustic rendition of "Angels Brought Me Here" on his double-disc compilation album Twenty Ten, with Sebastian co-producing and performing piano on the acoustic version.
Musical structure
Classified as an R&B and pop ballad, "Angels Brought Me Here" was composed prior to finalizing the Australian Idol finalists. Written by Jörgen Elofsson and John Reid, it is alternatively known as "Faith Has Brought Me Here." Both Sebastian’s and Noll’s recordings share identical musical arrangements: set in common time with a slow tempo marked at adagio pace of 64 beats per minute. The composition follows a verse-chorus format featuring a bridge after two verses. The verses are set in C major; the chorus modulates to D major with increased intensity; and the concluding chorus shifts to E♭ major. The lead vocal reaches its highest pitch at the chorus finale, sustaining a note for four measures supported by backing vocals repeating the refrain. Vocal range spans from C3 to B♭5.
Music video
The music video promoting the single premiered in November 2003 and depicts Sebastian preparing for a television appearance on set. Initially attired casually, he performs while being filmed by a camera crew; interspersed are scenes featuring a young woman adorned with white feathers. Later segments show Sebastian dressed in a white suit performing alongside plasma screens displaying images of the same woman. The video concludes with him returning to casual clothing. Produced by Stephen Tate from Australian Idol and directed by musical director John Foreman, it first aired on Network Ten’s Video Hits on 22 November.
Chart performance
"Angels Brought Me Here" entered the Australian market at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart dated 1 December 2003, inaugurating Sebastian’s record of twelve top ten hits and six chart-topping singles throughout his career. He remains the only Australian male artist to have achieved six number-one singles, ranking third overall behind artists Delta Goodrem and Kylie Minogue. The single sold 128,679 copies during its debut week—a record for first-week sales by an Australian artist and debut release—second only to Elton John’s "Candle in the Wind." This milestone was later overtaken in late 2004 by Anthony Callea's debut single "The Prayer." The song maintained its number-one position for three weeks and spent five weeks inside the top ten as well as twelve weeks within the top fifty charts. Despite its late release in 2003, it secured the top spot on ARIA's End of Year Top 100 Singles Chart for that year.
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2004, Sebastian earned 'Highest Selling Single' for this track and received a nomination for 'Highest Selling Album' with Just as I Am. In January 2010, ARIA declared "Angels Brought Me Here" as the decade’s best-selling single from 2000–2009, with Anthony Callea's "The Prayer" ranking second. Certified quintuple platinum for sales exceeding 350,000 copies, it held the record for highest sales by an Australian artist single until surpassed in 2011 by Gotye’s "Somebody That I Used to Know" (11× platinum) along with other tracks including Sebastian’s own "Battle Scars" (9× platinum).
Sebastian credited its success to its compelling pop ballad composition tailored to his vocal style combined with his personal narrative associated with winning Australian Idol. Tim Byron from The Vine observed that although association with Australian Idol provided initial momentum for the song, Sebastian’s enduring success is more attributable to his musical abilities than solely brand recognition.
In New Zealand, "Angels Brought Me Here" similarly debuted at number one on the RIANZ Singles Chart dated 1 December 2003. It remained atop for three weeks and achieved platinum certification after spending eleven weeks within the top ten and twenty-two weeks inside the top forty.
Notable performances and cover versions
In early 2004, Guy Sebastian joined fellow finalists from Australian Idol on a nationwide Australian tour titled the Australian Idol Concert Tour, promoted by Michael Chugg and Amanda Pelman. He also performed solo engagements including appearances at events such as April's Australian Gospel Music Festival. Internationally, he appeared at Asia's MTV Awards, served as guest judge on New Zealand's version of New Zealand Idol, and performed on Indonesia's Indonesian Idol. Following promotional activities across Malaysia, he toured Europe and North America. In May that year, Sebastian made a guest appearance on American Idol, delivering a live performance of "Angels Brought Me Here" during their Top 3 results show. Additionally, he performed a duet version alongside Mike Mohede—the winner of Indonesia's Indonesian Idol in 2005—on Asian Idol in 2007.
The song was covered by fourth-season winner of American Idol Carrie Underwood during her final performance show in 2005. In 2008, it served as a winner's anthem on UK television drama series Rock Rivals, performed by Bethany Hopkins (portrayed by Holly Quin-Ankrah). Other artists who have covered this song include Australian vocalist Hayley Legg and French electronic musician Sebastian Akchoté.
In 2009, Filipino female trio La Diva released their version as a single included twice on their self-titled debut album La Diva. Their rendition was used as theme music for South Korean television drama series Queen Seondeok, which aired from May to December 2009.
Track listing
- "Angels Brought Me Here" – 3:59
- "When I Get You Alone" (live from Australian Idol: Up Close & Personal) – 2:21
Personnel
Musicians
- Guy Sebastian – lead vocals and backing vocals
- Peter Northgate – guitar
- Bruce Heald – string arrangement
Production credits
- Producers – Bryon Jones and Adam Reily
- Programming – Adam Reily
- Engineering – Craig Portells at Eargasm Studios in Sydney
- Mixing – Steve MacMillan
- Mastering – Oscar Gaona at Studios 301, Sydney
Weekly charts
Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart| Chart (2003–2004) | Highest position |
|---|
Year-end charts
| Chart (2003) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 1 |
| Australian Urban (ARIA) | 1 |
| Chart (2004) | Rank |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 21 |
Decade-end charts
| Chart (2000–2009) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 1 |