“If God Will Send His Angels” found a notable place in the 1998 film City of Angels, contributing to the soundtrack's overall exploration of themes like love, loss, and transcendence. The song's haunting melody and introspective lyrics perfectly complement the film’s narrative, which revolves around an angel who falls in love with a mortal woman.
The City of Angels soundtrack was a commercial success and featured several other popular songs that captured the zeitgeist of the late 1990s. Among these was "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls, a heartfelt ballad that became one of the band's signature hits. The song’s themes of longing and vulnerability resonated with audiences, much like U2’s contribution. Additionally, the soundtrack included Alanis Morissette's powerful track "Uninvited," which showcased her raw vocal prowess and emotional depth.
It's fun to point out that City of Angels is a remake of Wim Wenders' film Stay: Faraway So Close! (1993), which also delves into themes of love, longing, and the intersection of the mortal and the divine. In the original film, U2 contributed the song "Stay (Faraway, So Close!)" to the soundtrack, providing a haunting reflection on the emotional complexities faced by its characters.
Check out the lyrics to Staring at the Sun, another POPular single.