About the song
“Concrete Angel” by the incomparable Martina McBride. Released in 2002 as a single from her album Martina, this song, written by Stephanie Bentley and Rob Crosby, quickly soared into the Top 5 on the country charts and became an undeniable touchstone in McBride’s career. It’s far more than just a hit; it’s a powerful, somber narrative that bravely confronts the harrowing reality of child abuse, serving as a poignant cry for awareness and intervention.
The lyrics of “Concrete Angel” tell the devastating story of Angela, a young girl suffering unimaginable abuse at home, silently enduring her torment with no one to turn to. The song paints a grim picture of her daily life, from arriving at school with “another bruise” to her desperate prayers for escape. Her teachers suspect something is wrong, but their fears aren’t enough to prevent the tragic outcome. The title itself, “Concrete Angel,” is a stark metaphor for the child’s hardened existence and her eventual, literal fall to her death, implying a brutal end but also a spiritual ascent to peace. Phrases like “A tiny angel / With a broken wing” and “She never had a chance to fly” evoke a profound sense of loss and injustice. It’s a difficult listen, no doubt, but its power lies in its unflinching depiction of a hidden tragedy, giving voice to the voiceless.
Martina McBride’s vocal performance on “Concrete Angel” is nothing short of masterful. Known for her immense vocal power and her ability to tackle sensitive subjects with grace, McBride delivers this song with a profound sense of compassion and controlled anguish. She doesn’t scream or wail; instead, she uses the full range and emotional depth of her voice to convey the child’s pain and the narrator’s heartbreak. Her delivery is restrained yet incredibly potent, building from a tender whisper to a soaring, almost mournful crescendo, ensuring that the listener feels the weight of every word without ever feeling manipulated. It’s a performance that truly defines her as a vocalist with a conscience.
The musical arrangement of “Concrete Angel” is a grand, yet sensitive, country-pop ballad. It features a sweeping orchestral backdrop, gentle piano, and a resonant rhythm section that builds in intensity as the narrative progresses. The instrumentation is designed to heighten the emotional impact of the story, creating a sense of tragic grandeur that complements McBride’s powerful vocals. The production is polished and expansive, carefully crafted to convey the song’s serious subject matter with the necessary reverence and weight.
“Concrete Angel” resonated deeply with audiences not only for its compelling narrative and McBride’s stunning vocal performance but for its bravery in addressing such a difficult and often-ignored topic. It sparked conversations and brought much-needed awareness to the issue of child abuse, solidifying Martina McBride’s legacy as a singer who uses her platform for meaningful social commentary. It remains a powerful and unforgettable song, a somber yet essential reminder of the silent battles fought by too many “Concrete Angels.”
Video
Lyrics
She walks to school with the lunch
She packed
Nobody knows what she’s
Holdin’ back
Wearin’ the same dress
She wore yesterday
She hides the bruises with linen
And lace
The teacher wonders but she
Doesn’t ask
It’s hard to see the pain
Behind the mask
Bearing the burden
Of a secret storm
Sometimes she wishes she was
Never born
Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In her world that she can rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where
She’s loved
Concrete angel
Somebody cries in the middle
Of the night
The neighbors hear, but they turn
Out the lights
A fragile soul caught in the hands
Of fate
When morning comes
It’ll be too late
Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In her world that she can rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where
She’s loved
Concrete angel
A statue stands in a shaded place
An angel girl with an upturned face
A name is written on a polished rock
A broken heart that the world forgot
Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In her world that she can rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where
She’s loved
Concrete angel
