Robbie Williams’ hit “Angels” is officially credited as being written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers.

There is, however, a long-running backstory around its origins.

Official songwriting credits

  • The album and single credits list Robbie Williams (lyrics/melody) and Guy Chambers (music) as the songwriters.
  • Chambers has said that he composed the music while Williams wrote the lyrics and vocal melody, describing the process as very equal.

The Ray Heffernan controversy

  • Irish songwriter Ray Heffernan says he wrote an earlier song called “Angels” (sometimes described as “An Angel Instead”) in 1996 after his partner suffered a miscarriage.
  • Heffernan claims he met Williams in a Dublin pub, played him his unfinished song, and later recorded a demo with him.
  • Williams has acknowledged recording a demo with Heffernan but insists that he and Chambers substantially rewrote the song that became the famous “Angels,” particularly the chorus.
  • Before “Angels” was released, Williams’ team paid Heffernan a reported £7,500 for the rights to his version; Heffernan did not receive an official writing credit but is thanked in the UK CD single liner notes.

So, who “wrote” it?

  • In legal and industry terms, “Angels” is written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers.
  • In fan and forum discussions, you’ll often see debate about Heffernan’s contribution, with some people viewing his early version as the seed of the song and others arguing that the hit as we know it is primarily the Williams–Chambers rewrite, especially the chorus that made it iconic.

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