Evangeline

**Evangeline** is a song by Stephen Sanchez and is the second track on his debut album *Angel Face*.

The song stands out by being a lovestruck anthem of dreamy keys and delicate hums as cymbals simmer, with wood tambourines shaking to the beat as Sanchez reaches his falsetto.

## Background

Producer Nick Lobel built the song around a 10-second sample of the intro to Bobby Goldsboro's 1968 song "Honey" .

Sanchez explains that "Once I heard that, I felt immediately inspired. The song came to life in 15 minutes. [...] Sampling is not something I've ever done, nor have I felt moved to pursue, but it was honestly a happy accident that day. Even the way I performed it was extremely new for me. This song really made music fun for me again. It's opened a world and lore I'm excited to invite fans into".

Described as "[sounding] like a track from the 50s and immediately captures the ear of an old soul", and praised on how the song "ebb and flows [over] an ethereal soundscape tailor-made for a fifties romance". Moreover, its has been described as "cinematic and dreamy, [the song] is dulcet romance manifesting in beautiful, sweetly soaring balladry", as well as a "swoon-worthy song [which] gives off a vintage, 1960s vibe"; or as simply "Americana-tinged".

Vocally, Sanchez's performance has been described as "[crooning] in full Troubadour mode" with "soulful grit as the hypnotic and heavenly hook rings out with promise", and "a resounding beacon of intense energy and inspiration" with "soaring melodies".

Going further, Mitch Mosk of *Atwood Magazine* reviewed the song as: "'Evangeline' is elegant and enchanting – a love song aching with raw passion and heartfelt emotion. It's been out for less than a week, and yet it already feels like a timeless American classic – capturing the lust, the longing, the innocence, the fantasy, and the magic of young romance through a radiant, evocative soundtrack dripping with nostalgic hues and golden tones".

Ellie Schofield of *Wildcats Wired* reviewed the song as "To match the album title '*Angel Face*', angelic vocals are laced through the background of this song, complementing the way Stephen Sanchez lyrically portrays this sense of a dream girl".

### Connection to Album Storyline

*For context and more information, please read: The Story of Angel Face*.

"Evangeline" plays a part in the album's larger love story arc, as the album tells the love stories of many different characters between two distinct years. Here, it is about the titular character of *Evangeline* and *The Troubadour Sanchez* in 1964.

## Meaning

This song is about being completely smitten by someone (*Evangeline*), but acknowledging that they may not be as eager to fall in love as you are, but you promise them comfort if they fully give you their heart.

Overall, "Evangeline" is a heartfelt ode to true love and the lengths that the narrator is willing to go to keep them safe and comfortable.

This song is sang from the perspective of *The Troubadour Sanchez* to *Evangeline*.

## Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Baby, give it all

I'd give it all just to make you mine

And if you need a minute, honey, I'll give you all my time

All the time

Do you need The Sandman?

Or a phone call to Mr. Jones?

I'll put your dreams to sleep with rattling bones

[Chorus]

So, don't go to sleep

Don't rest your head

I'll be the pillow and I'll be the bed

Holding your dreams as you lie to rest

Evangeline, Evangeline

Don't go to sleep, don't rest your head

I'll be the pillow and I'll be the bed

Holding your dreams as you lie to rest

Evangeline

[Verse 2]

Anybody call the doctor

I'm a 1000 dеgrees in love

And I'm sick of all the guessing

Bеtween the two of us

You're my Angel in the doorway

I couldn't bear to lose

And if you're so in love, honey, why stay refused?

[Chorus]

So, don't go to sleep, don't rest your head

I'll be the pillow and I'll be the bed

Holding your dreams as you lie to rest

Evangeline, Evangeline

Don't go to sleep, don't rest your head

I'll be the pillow and I'll be the bed

Holding your dreams as you lie to rest

Evangeline

## Music Videos

* Visualiser/Lyric Video
* Vevo Live Performance
* Live Visual Music Video

 **Director** | Luke Rogers

 **Editor** | Andrew Ros

*For the full article, please view: Angel Face: The Live Visual Album.*

#### Additional Credits

* Director of Photography: Aaron Seldon
* VFX & Virtual Production Designer: Ryan Trommer
* Head of Production: Jen Lewis
* Production Designer: Tracie Prichard
* Production Manager: Kayla Fantozzi
* Post Supervisor: Melissa Floreth
* Assistant Editor: Justin Coupe
* Colorist: Kendall Rittenour
* Virtual Production: Vū Network
* Virtual Producers: Megan Hill, Grant Sutton, Jonathan Kindle, Alvin Renz Teves, Tim Moore
* Virtual VFX Design: Tower 33
* Virtual VFX Producers: Kyle Gordon, Elle Sassenrath
* Virtual VFX Artists: Garrett Wycoff, Alex Luloff
* Virtual VFX Coordinator: Lukas Salazar
* Live Audio Capture: Vanguard Recording
* Live Audio Mix & Master: Konrad Snyder

## Trivia

* "Evangeline" was built around a 10-second sample of the intro to Bobby Goldsboro's 1968 song "Honey".
	+ Sanchez admitted that this is probably the only time he shall use a sample ever again.

* During recording, the name 'Evangeline' did not come to Sanchez until after the song was almost finished. He "didn't have a line to end [the chorus on], [he] tried a few different names until 'Evangeline' stuck".

* "Evangeline" is the catalyst that eventually became the album's story.

* "Evangeline" (produced by Nick Lobel) is one of only two songs not produced by Ian Fitchuk and Konrad Snyder on *Angel Face*.
	+ The other song is "No One Knows" (produced by Ben Schneider).

* "Evangeline" is one of several *Angel Face* songs which use "honey" as a term of endearment in its lyrics: "And if you need a minute, honey, I’ll give you all my time" and "And if you’re so in love, honey, why stay refused?"
	+ The other songs are: "Only Girl", "Doesn't Do Me Any Good", and "No One Knows".

* "Evangeline" is one of only two *Angel Face* songs that end in a fade-out, alongside "Doesn't Do Me Any Good".

* Throughout this album era, model Frances O'Sullivan (main) and Julia Bedeaux ("Be More" stand-in) were used to portray the titular character.

* "Evangeline" instrumental was the first ever *Angel Face* song to be heard via the first teaser video in early January 2023, and was the first single released.
	+ The second song showcased was the "Send My Heart With A Kiss" instrumental in the second teaser video.

* The name "Evangeline" means "bringer of good news" in Greek.

* In the first verse, the song references "Mr. Sandman", a 1954 hit by The Chordettes; and Sir Tom Jones, a famous Welsh singer known for his love songs, notably in the 1960/70s.

* During the show at Irving Plaza, NYC on 16 February 2023, a man proposed to his now-fiancée in the crowd during "Evangeline".

* "Evangeline" has been described as being "[ridden] with sexual innuendo".

## Navigation

 *Angel Face* Tracklist
 1958

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://www.thesoundcafe.com/post/breakout-singer-songwriter-stephen-sanchez-releases-lovestruck-anthem-with-new-single-evangeline
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://topshelfmusicmag.com/reviews/stephen-sanchez-releases-new-single-evangeline/#:~:text=This%20song%20really%20made%20music,sound%20to%20wake%20up%20to.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/stephen-sanchez-performs-evangeline-the-tonight-show-1234668004/
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 https://atwoodmagazine.com/ep86-editors-picks-2023-02-01/
5. ↑ http://utahconcertreview.com/stephen-sanchez/
6. ↑ https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/stephen-sanchez-elton-john-glastonbury-radar-3472629
7. ↑ https://www.kxfmradio.org/stephen-sanchez-charms-the-constellation-room/
8. ↑ https://wildcatswired.net/1342/opinion/stephen-sanchez-releases-album-angel-face-transports-listeners-back-to-the-1950s/
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/evangeline-by-stephen-sanchez/
10. ↑ https://www.songtell.com/stephen-sanchez/evangeline
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_GXEZIXVs0E
12. ↑ https://preludepress.com/news/2023/01/25/stephen-sanchez-evangeline/
13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiLht-\_EseM