Charley Pride’s “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'”: A Timeless Blueprint for Lasting Love and Simple Happiness
Ah, when that unmistakable baritone washes over you, carrying that gentle, hopeful melody, doesn’t it just transport you back? It’s not just a song; it’s a warm embrace from a simpler time, a gentle reminder of what truly matters in this life. We’re talking, of course, about Charley Pride’s 1971 classic, “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’.” This beautiful piece of country music history, penned by the masterful songwriter Ben Peters, isn’t just one of Pride’s most enduring hits—it became his signature song, a shining example of the “countrypolitan” sound that defined an era.
The song’s impact was immediate and profound, effortlessly crossing over from the Country charts to touch a much wider audience. For those of us who remember the airwaves of 1971 and 1972, this was simply everywhere. The song quickly soared to Number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, a familiar perch for the legend that was Charley Pride. But its magic didn’t stop there. It was a rare country bird that flew high on the Pop charts too, peaking at a respectable Number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and making it into the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart (peaking at Number 7). In Canada, it repeated its country success, hitting Number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart. Its widespread success underscored the universal appeal of its message—a simple, deeply felt truth that resonated with hearts young and old, rural and urban.
The story behind the song adds a layer of tender poignancy to its gentle swing. While the lyrics speak to a husband sharing the secret of his happiness with old friends—a secret found in cherishing his wife—songwriter Ben Peters actually wrote it from the perspective of a father to his newborn daughter. That duality gives the song an incredible emotional depth. It’s a love song, certainly, but it’s also a beautiful promise of protection and devotion, whether directed toward a soulmate or a precious child. This hidden depth helps explain its lasting power; it’s a lullaby disguised as a love letter.
The song’s meaning is wonderfully straightforward, yet profound in its execution: the secret to a happy, enduring relationship is simple, daily affection and appreciation. The famous couplet lays out the whole philosophy: “You’ve got to kiss an angel good mornin’ / And let her know you think about her when you’re gone / Kiss an angel good mornin’ / And love her like the devil when you get back home.” That juxtaposition—the angelic morning devotion balanced by the passionate, devilish love at night—captures the full spectrum of a healthy, mature partnership. It’s about respect, tenderness, and unwavering passion. It’s a road map for sustaining that spark long after the honeymoon glow has faded.
For those of us who grew up with this music, or perhaps were raising our own families when “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'” first hit the radio, the song is a powerful echo of our own lives. It reminds us of those quiet morning moments, a quick, loving peck on the cheek before heading out the door, the silent promise of reunion at day’s end. It calls up memories of a time when life, though challenging, felt less complicated, anchored by the bedrock of family and steadfast love. It’s a nostalgic nod to the values of commitment and simple gestures that often get overlooked in our faster, louder modern world. The success of this song was a crowning achievement for Charley Pride himself, contributing to his well-deserved win for the CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1971 and Top Male Vocalist in 1971 and 1972. He brought authenticity, warmth, and a magnificent voice to every note, turning a simple country song into an American standard.
Listening to it today, it feels like a comforting conversation with an old friend. It’s a truth distilled into three minutes of music: the finest things in life are never complicated, only deeply felt.
Music Legend