Chasing Angels – John Wicks’ tribute to one of powerpop’s quiet giants

Often, we don’t fully appreciate the talents of folks until they leave us. That seems to have been the case with Phil Brown, bass player for The Records during all three of their Virgin Records LPs. His contributions to The Records are more fully understood years later – there’s a reason why Brown was universally liked by all, even in the caustic environment that engulfed the band in it’s heyday.

I’m still receiving emails from those who had just learned of his death through a post I’d written in February of 2012. People are still leaving comments on the post.

The Records continue on through the pen and voice of John Wicks, the architect of the band’s sound and co-author (with Will Birch) of the band’s past hits. Recently, Wicks began performing a song he’d written for Phil Brown entitled “Chasing Angels”. The song is quite moving, and audiences seem to be quite taken with it. So much so in fact, that Wicks seems to be performing it more and more wherever he goes.

Being a long time Records fan and having been quite impressed by the song, I emailed John and asked him to provide me with the lyrics to his tribute to Phil. And he very kindly obliged.

The video below features Wicks performing “Chasing Angels”, dedicated to Phil in particular but also Eric Lowen and other friends of his lost that year. Below that you’ll find Lyrics provided by Wicks himself on my request. Please feel free to share your thoughts – Let John know what you think of the song or share any memories you may have of Phil or The Records. Perhaps John will stop by and read them. Who Knows.

CHASING ANGELS
Music & Lyrics: John Wicks – C. Bridge and Tunnel Music 2012/ASCAP

ARE YA CHASIN’ ANGELS – THROUGH THE STARLIT SKIES?
IMAGES OF YOUR LIFE – FLASH BEFORE MY EYES
SPIRITS IN THE MOONLIGHT – SPIRITS ON THE WING
SHININ’ FROM THE HEAVENS – ON EV’RY LIVIN’ THING

Chorus:
CHASIN’ ANGELS (CHASIN’ ANGELS)
AS WE SOFTLY WHISPER GOODBYE
CHASIN’ ANGELS (CHASIN’ ANGELS)
DO YA SEE THE TEARS THAT WE CRY-I-I?
CHASIN’ ANGELS (CHASIN’ ANGELS)
CHASIN’ ANGELS (CHASIN’ ANGELS)
WON’T YA SIGN YOUR NAME IN THE SKY!
SIGN YOUR NAME IN THE SKY!!

Sincere thanks to John Wicks for providing the lyrics to a very stirring tribute.