“Angel Mine” came on this morning as I drove to work. It is one of my favorite Cowboy Junkies and has been since the first time I heard it. I’ve always appreciated the sentiment of the song that we are all flawed, imperfect people, but we can still love in those big ways, and be true to each other, in love. It reminded me of the love in my life, and how we struggle sometimes, but how committed and determined we are with each other. I can feel that part of us growing, becoming stronger, as our love grows, and becomes stronger.

I know that there is supposed to be a “honeymoon phase” at the start of a relationship, and I’m aware that in many ways we are still new. That said, I think that there is not one of those phases for us. Not in a typical way. Maybe its because we moved so fast together. Or, perhaps it is because we have already dealt with some rough spots and bumps. Whatever the reason I think that phase was bypassed, and instead the joy and bliss we felt at the start is just expanding and becoming better with each day that goes by. I think the fact that we didn’t have one of those “phases” is a really good thing. I think it speaks to how enormous this love is, how lasting, and how unshakable.

At least that’s how I see it.

“Angel Mine” is track 8 from the 1996 album Lay It Down. It was my first favorite song from the album and stayed my favorite ever since. The music video (see below) features Janeane Garofalo and was filed at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles (just a few blocks from where I work now). I’ve always been fond of the video, too. It feels very Los Angeles, the video. The song, too, has something about it that reminds me of this city. Maybe its because this is the so-called “city of angels” – full of flaws, and full of promise. It could also be because I’ve always associated it with my favorite book, God-Shaped Hole, which is set in Los Angeles.

“Angel Mine” by Cowboy Junkies
from the album, Lay It Down (1996)
Song of the Day

“I search all the time on the ground for our shadows cast side by side,
just to remind me that I haven’t gone crazy,
that you exist and are mine.
And I know that your skin is as warm and as real as that smile in your eyes,
but I have to keep touching and smelling and tasting,
for fear it’s all lies.”