If morning’s echo says we’ve sinned/
It was what I wanted now.

Many artists have covered this song, but Merrilee Rush’s version of “Angel Of The Morning” is the standard. She is in great voice, and we hear the emotion she sings with as she asks her lover to “just touch my cheek before you leave me baby.” It is a song about a young woman becoming an adult and exercising her right to love and live with whomever she chooses. The lyrics were quite risqué for the time.

Merrilee Rush’s melody of “Angel of the Morning” is so strong that it has managed to remain fresh some fifty years after release. Both the verses and especially the chorus are iconic melodies that have achieved Standard status. The production is well done. The trumpet is featured prominently, and it sounds muted and not overdone. I also think there is an oboe being used, though I cannot confirm that. This was her only hit.

Angel Of the Morning Lyrics

There’ll be no strings to bind your hands
Not if my love can’t bind your heart
And there’s no need to take a stand
For it was I who chose to start
I see no need to take me home
I’m old enough to face the dawn

Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby
Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
Then slowly turn away

Maybe the sun’s light will be dim
And it won’t matter anyhow
If morning’s echo says we’ve sinned
Well, it was what I wanted now
And if we’re victims of the night
I won’t be blinded by the light

Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby
Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)
Then slowly turn away
I won’t beg you to stay with me
Through the tears of the day, of the years
Baby, baby, baby
Just call me angel of the morning, (angel)

written by chip taylor

Tonight the light of love is in your eyes/
But will you love me tomorrow.

“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” was first released by The Shirelles. Their version is fantastic, but Carole King’s is great too—she wrote it. This song is about a one-night affair. The narrator is caught up in the moment and hears words of love and sees the look in her lover’s eyes but wonders if this is just a temporary feeling that will vanish in the morning.

She doesn’t want the night to end, but she knows that people can get swept up in the heat of passion and make promises they don’t plan to keep. King sounds very vulnerable singing this song. Also, note the guitar and backup vocals are performed by her then-boyfriend James Taylor.

King is one of the most underrated singer-songwriters to those outside of music geeks. You’ve heard all her songs, you’ve heard them covered by other singers and many are iconic. You can probably sing along to many of them. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” appears on her famous album Tapestry, which is a top 5 all-time album (but that is a list for another day). She is great at combining great lyrics with great melodies.

Will You Love Me Tomorrow Lyrics

Tonight you’re mine, completely
You give your love so sweetly
Tonight the light of love is in your eyes
But will you love me tomorrow

Is this a lasting treasure
Or just a moment’s pleasure
Can I believe the magic in your sighs
Will you still love me tomorrow

Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I’m the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun

I’d like to know that your love
Is a love I can be sure of
So tell me now and I won’t ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow

So tell me now and I won’t ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow
Will you still love me tomorrow
Will you still love me tomorrow

written by Carole King/ Gerry Goffin

Ask me no questions, tell me no lies if you don’t mind, and come with me.

“Ask Me No Questions” by Bridget St. John is not a song you will hear on the radio, but it is one of the most tender, loving songs about love-well, making love—sung by an amazing artist. The song is a classic folk song: just the singer and a guitar and little else.

Bridget St. John talks about sex in a very direct way (that is what the song is about) but she uses poetic language to make it seem mystical and important. She asks her partner to surrender to her, leave everything behind, and they can go to a place of bliss. Together. In the morning they will both agree to forget everything and keep it a secret.

It is interesting that the title of the song is “Ask Me No Questions” as the theme of the song is really more about two people coming together. But in her mind, in order for it to happen they must both temporarily set everything behind by not asking each other questions about their pasts or promising things about the future. Only then, will they be able to completely belong to each other in that moment.

Perhaps the past can get in the way of enjoying the present if we let it. You might also like another Bridget St John song on this list:  Song to keep you Company.

Ask Me No Questions Lyrics

Ask me no questions,
Tell me no lies if you don’t mind, and come with me.
There, where the sun flies.
There, where the sky is bluer still is where we’ll be.
Take nothing with you.
I’ll give you everything I can, have no fear.
For if you stumble, or should you fall down on the way, I’ll be there.
Close your eyes, my love.
Close your eyes, gently, come.
And in the morning,
Don’t tell a soul of what you saw, it’s just for you.
Keep this a secret, make me a promise that you will.
I’ll make one too.
Close your eyes, my love.
Close your eyes, gently, come.
Ask me no questions,
Tell me no lies if you don’t mind, and come with me.
There, where the sun flies.
There, where the sky is bluer still is where we’ll be.

written by Bridget st John