Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Kinney began singing in the late 1960s, and joined the vocal group, The Poppies, replacing their former singer, Patsy McClune. Kinney remained in the group with Dorothy Moore and Rosemary Taylor for about two years, and also released a solo single, "Your Love's Not Reliable", during this time, however it was not a success.
In the early 1970s she began working as a session musician and backing vocalist. Among the songs she sang on were King Floyd's "Groove Me", and her former "Poppie" bandmate Dorothy Moore's 1976 Top 10 single, "Misty Blue".
By then having settled as a housewife, Kinney in 1979 decided to attempt a comeback, and she recorded her own version of "Groove Me", but changed the rhythm on the song to turn it into a disco dance track. The song reached number 6 on the Billboard dance chart. Her next single "Together We Are Beautiful", released in 1980 was another disco song, but with a slower and more sultry beat. It had been recorded by the British vocalist, Steve Allan, eighteen months earlier. It failed to chart in the United States, but oddly reached number one in the United Kingdom.
Kinney's subsequent releases attempted to continue in the disco style, however by this time the disco fad had reached its peak and Kinney was unable to repeat her success. By 1983 she had returned to her earlier career as a backing vocalist. In 1994, Music Club released an album (MCCD 167) of Kinney's records called Chemistry The Best Of under the licence from Malaco Records, which contained 17 tracks.
Angel on the Ground
Fern Kinney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And see the lights of the city
Up here on a cloud
Everything looks so pretty
I know that love
Has given me wings to fly
But tomorrow I may be just another
With the heaven she's found
Just a memory away
(Oh, an) Angel on the ground
With the heaven she's found
Just a memory away
Tonight I'll spread my wings
And fly with you
Take a spin around the world
Propelled by the things you do
I know that love is never guaranteed
And tomorrow I may be just another
(Oh, an) Angel on the ground
With the heaven she's found
Just a memory away
(Oh, an) Angel on the ground
With the heaven she's found
Just a memory away
(Oh, an) Angel on the ground
With the heaven she's found
Just a memory away
(Oh, an) Angel on the ground
With the heaven she's found
Just a memory away
Words you whisper
Put me in a spell
But the heavenly flame can burn
To the fires of hell
If it's for real
Then heaven's here to stay
I'd just sit so proud as my cloud
And look down at the
Angels on the ground
With heaven they found
Just a memory away
Repeat the last verse and fade.
The song "Angel on the Ground" by Fern Kinney is a reflective piece about the fleeting nature of love and the uncertainty that comes with it. The opening lines use the imagery of an aerial view of the city to emphasize the feeling of elevation and freedom that comes with being in love. However, the lyrics take a slightly melancholic tone as the singer acknowledges the precariousness of love, stating that tomorrow she may be just another "angel on the ground," with her heavenly experience being reduced to a mere memory.
As the song progresses, the singer continues to grapple with the impermanence of love, highlighting the fact that it is never guaranteed. The chorus repeats the phrase "just a memory away," further emphasizing the idea that the joy of love can vanish in an instant. The bridge of the song takes a darker turn, acknowledging the possibility that love can also have negative consequences, and that passion can quickly turn to heartbreak.
Overall, "Angel on the Ground" is a powerful and bittersweet meditation on the beauty and fragility of love. Kinney's soulful vocals, combined with the song's poignant lyrics and lush instrumentation, make for a truly memorable listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I can look around tonight
I am observing my surroundings tonight
And see the lights of the city
I can see the lights of the city from where I am
Up here on a cloud
I feel like I am on a cloud right now
Everything looks so pretty
My surroundings look beautiful and appealing to me
I know that love
I am confident that the feeling of love
Has given me wings to fly
Has empowered me to achieve great things
But tomorrow I may be just another
However, I am aware that in the future I may become just like anybody else
(Oh, an) Angel on the ground
Referring to oneself as an angel on the ground
With the heaven she's found
Referring to the state of bliss that one has found
Just a memory away
However, this state of bliss may be temporary and fleeting
Tonight I'll spread my wings
Tonight, I will be creative and courageous
And fly with you
I will be adventurous and partner with someone
Take a spin around the world
I will travel around the world and experience many new things
Propelled by the things you do
I will be motivated by the things that inspire me
I know that love is never guaranteed
I am aware that love is never a sure thing
And tomorrow I may be just another
I may not always be able to maintain this level of happiness and success
(Oh, an) Angel on the ground
Referring to oneself as an angel on the ground
With the heaven she's found
Referring to the state of bliss that one has found
Just a memory away
However, this state of bliss may be temporary and fleeting
(Oh, an) Angel on the ground
Referring to oneself as an angel on the ground
With the heaven she's found
Referring to the state of bliss that one has found
Just a memory away
However, this state of bliss may be temporary and fleeting
Words you whisper
Referring to messages of inspiration and encouragement from someone else
Put me in a spell
These messages have a powerful effect on me
But the heavenly flame can burn
However, this euphoria may come at a cost
To the fires of hell
Such as losing touch with reality or experiencing negative consequences
If it's for real
If this state of bliss is genuine
Then heaven's here to stay
Then there is a possibility that this happiness will be long-lasting
I'd just sit so proud as my cloud
I would feel a sense of pride and accomplishment
And look down at the
At the people beneath me
Angels on the ground
Referring to people who are experiencing happiness and success
With heaven they found
Referring to the state of bliss they have achieved
Just a memory away
However, this state of bliss may be temporary and fleeting
Repeat the last verse and fade.
The last verse will be repeated and the song will fade out.
Writer(s): JAMES CARSON WHITSETT
Contributed by Vivian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.