The Simple, Undying Secret of a Happy Heart
Ah, the early 1970s. The air was a little heavier, the world felt a little more complicated, but then, a melody would drift across the AM dial—pure, smooth, and utterly reassuring. That melody belonged to Charley Pride’s signature song, “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’.” It was released in October 1971 on RCA Victor as the first single from his album, Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs, and for five glorious weeks, it sat atop the Country charts, his eighth song to claim that coveted #1 spot and a track that would help him secure the CMA Entertainer of the Year award in 1971.
But the song’s impact wasn’t confined to Nashville. It was a true crossover phenomenon, a rarity for Country music at the time, successfully climbing the Pop charts all the way to #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. This was the sound of Country charm conquering the mainstream, carried on the effortlessly rich baritone of a man whose very presence in the genre was a quiet revolution.
The story behind this beautiful ballad is as sweet and simple as the song itself. It was penned by the brilliant songwriter Ben Peters, who was inspired not by a lover, but by his own newborn daughter, Angela. He looked at her innocent face and the line simply came to him: “Kiss an angel good mornin’.” The genius of the song, however, lies in how it translates that parental adoration into the perfect sentiment for a loving marriage, offering a timeless, two-part formula for domestic bliss.
The meaning of “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” is disarmingly straightforward, yet profound: the key to lasting happiness and a perpetually smiling face is simple, consistent love. The narrator’s friends are forever asking the secret to his joyous disposition. His answer is enshrined in the legendary chorus: “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.” It’s an instruction manual that balances sweet tenderness with passionate devotion, acknowledging that a great relationship requires both the gentle gesture of the morning kiss and the fiery commitment of the evening embrace.
For those of us who remember those times, hearing Charley Pride’s warm, inviting voice instantly transports us back. It wasn’t just a hit; it was a constant, comforting presence on the radio—a gentle hug from a bygone era. You remember the melody being so instantly familiar that it felt less like a new song and more like a cherished truth you’d simply forgotten. And of course, the history of Charley Pride himself—the former baseball player who broke the color barrier in country music with talent and grace—lends an even deeper, more resonant layer to the track. Here was a true pioneer, singing a universal message of love so convincingly that it simply could not be denied by any audience, regardless of genre or geography. “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” is more than just a song; it’s a golden moment of American music history, wrapped in an unforgettable tune.
Great Songs