Peak
6
Weeks
27
Score
4,296
Chart Year
1977
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This song is about a woman who knows her man is cheating on her, and responds by doing some cheating of her own. It was a sentiment that hadn't yet found its way into a hit song, as most infidelity narratives find the singer either suffering in silence or giving the cheater the boot. Hot was the trio of Cathy Carson, Gwen Owens and Juanita Curiel. Speaking at the time about this song, they issued this statement: "We feel like we're spokeswomen - we're not women's libbers as such but there are things that need to be said by women to women and for women as well as to and for men and we want to say those things." The song was written by the Alabama songwriters Clayton Ivey, Terry Woodford and Tommy Brasfield. Ivey and Woodford owned Wishbone Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals, where this song was recorded. They were also Hot's producers. The trio came together after Gwen Owens and Cathy Carson, who had been working as backup singers in Wolfman Jack's show, teamed up with Juanita Curiel, who had been working in a Las Vegas lounge act. "Hot" was Cathy's catchphrase, which is how they chose the name. Hot released three albums, all on Big Tree Records. "Angel In Your Arms" was by far their biggest hit, and only entry on the US Top 40. This track was written as a Country song and the demo was recorded in that style. Even thought they were and R&B act, the ladies of Hot loved it when they heard it, and asked to record the song. The song was later covered by several notable Country artists, including Reba McEntire in 1977 and Barbara Mandrell in 1985. Millie Jackson and Luther Ingram, who both did a lot of recording in the Muscle Shoals area, each covered the song soon after it was released (both singers have a penchant for songs about cheating). Other artists to cover it include Doris Duke, Lynn Anderson, and The Soul Children. Ben Picone and the Atlanta Strings played on this track. They also played on albums by Linda Clifford, Bohannon, and Lorraine Johnson.
Do you think I'm such a fool To believe everything you say is true That just goes to show That you really don't know And while you're out painting the town Do you think I'm home just sitting around Waiting on you Now who's really the fool When I first found out I hurt all over I felt so left out till I got to know her So I tried the way that she got over And I became just like her So don't be surprised to find That the angel in your arms this morning Is gonna be the devil in someone else's arms tonight Yes, the angel in your arms this morning Is gonna be the devil in someone else's arms tonight Why'd you slip around secretly If you were tired of loving me Why'd you keep holding on When love was already gone The times you said you weren't feeling well Did you think I couldn't tell You'd been with someone else You were only kidding yourself When I first found out I hurt all over I felt so left out till I got to know her So I tried the way that she got over And I became just like her so don't be surprised to find That the angel in your arms this morning Is gonna be the devil in someone else's arms tonight Yes, the angel in your arms this morning Is gonna be the devil in someone else's arms tonight
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 19, 1977 | 90 | 36 |
| 2 | Feb 26, 1977 | 87 | 39 |
| 3 | Mar 5, 1977 | 80 | 46 |
| 4 | Mar 12, 1977 | 70 | 56 |
| 5 | Mar 19, 1977 | 59 | 67 |
| 6 | Mar 26, 1977 | 49 | 77 |
| 7 | Apr 2, 1977 | 40 | 86 |
| 8 | Apr 9, 1977 | 35 | 91 |
| 9 | Apr 16, 1977 | 29 | 97 |
| 10 | Apr 23, 1977 | 25 | 101 |
| 11 | Apr 30, 1977 | 23 | 103 |
| 12 | May 7, 1977 | 21 | 105 |
| 13 | May 14, 1977 | 20 | 106 |
| 14 | May 21, 1977 | 18 | 108 |
| 15 | May 28, 1977 | 13 | 113 |
| 16 | Jun 4, 1977 | 12 | 114 |
| 17 | Jun 11, 1977 | 11 | 115 |
| 18 | Jun 18, 1977 | 10 | 116 |
| 19 | Jun 25, 1977 | 9 | 117 |
| 20 | Jul 2, 1977 | 8 | 118 |