About the Song![Mark Dinning â Teen Angel â Vinyl (LP, Album, Mono), 1960 [r8477269] | Discogs](http://thebeatles.vietut.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NS0yNDE3LmpwZWc.jpeg)
âTeen Angelâ by Mark Dinning is a poignant and unforgettable ballad that embodies the tragic love story themes of the 1950s. Released in 1959, this song quickly climbed the charts, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1960. Written by Dinningâs sister, Jean Surrey, and her husband, Red Surrey, the song taps into the eraâs fascination with melodramatic narratives, becoming one of the defining âteen tragedyâ anthems of its time.
The song tells a heartbreaking story of young love cut short by tragedy. In the lyrics, the narrator reflects on the untimely death of his girlfriend, the titular âTeen Angel.â After her car stalls on a railroad track, she momentarily escapes danger, only to tragically return to retrieve a sentimental itemâher high school ringâand lose her life. The storyâs emotional weight is heightened by its simplicity, allowing listeners to focus on the universal themes of love, loss, and longing.
What makes âTeen Angelâ so enduring is its haunting melody and Mark Dinningâs tender delivery. His smooth, melancholic vocals bring a sense of authenticity to the story, as though heâs reliving the loss himself. The sparse, mournful instrumentationâincluding soft strings and a gentle rhythmâcreates an ethereal quality that perfectly complements the songâs somber tone. This combination of heartfelt storytelling and evocative music ensures that the song leaves a lasting impression.
While âTeen Angelâ was controversial upon its releaseâsome radio stations even banned it for its morbid subject matterâit struck a chord with young listeners who connected with its themes of eternal love and grief. The song became a cultural touchstone, influencing the âteen tragedyâ genre alongside hits like âTell Laura I Love Herâ and âLeader of the Pack.â
Even today, âTeen Angelâ remains a classic, a bittersweet reminder of youthful love and the fragility of life. Itâs a song that resonates across generations, evoking both nostalgia for the 1950s and a timeless emotional depth. Whether youâre revisiting it or hearing it for the first time, itâs impossible not to be moved by its tale of love lost too soon.
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Lyrics: âTeen Angelâ
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Teen angel
Teen angel
Teen angelThat fateful night the car was stalled
Upon the railroad track
I pulled you out and we were safe
But you went running back
Teen angel
Can you hear me?
Teen angel
Can you see me?
Are you somewhere up above?
And am I still your own true love?
What was it you were looking for
That took your life that night
They said they found my high school ring
Clutched in your fingers tight
Teen angel
Can you hear me?
Teen angel
Can you see me?
Are you somewhere up above?
And am I still your own true love?
Just sweet sixteen, and now youâre gone
Theyâve taken you away
Iâll never kiss your lips again
They buried you today
Teen angel
Can you hear me?
Teen angel
Can you see me?
Are you somewhere up above?
And am I still your own true love?
Teen angel
Teen angel
Answer me please
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Settinâ the Woods on Fire â Hank Williams Theme From A Summer Place â Percy Faith