I Need an Angel (album)

I Need an Angel
Studio album by
Ruben Studdard
ReleasedNovember 23, 2004 (2004-11-23)
GenreGospel[1][2]
Length49:26
Label
Producer
Ruben Studdard chronology
Soulful
(2003) 		I Need an Angel
(2004) 		The Return
(2006)

I Need an Angel is the second studio album by American singer Ruben Studdard. It was released on November 23, 2004 by J Records.

Crtitical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
People[2]

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine found that "while there are a number of cooks in the kitchen [...] I Need an Angel, winds up being cohesive since it's all coming from the same perspective. It's all easy-rolling, smooth, and polished slow grooves, sometimes easing by on the sound of the record, other times gelling quite nicely thanks to some sturdily written and arranged songs [...] So, while it has no standout cuts, on the whole I Need an Angel winds up being a bit more solid than his proper debut.[1] People noted that "on this gospel excursion, the cuddly singer takes it back to church, and whereas he never seemed quite comfortable in his role as R&B; love man on last year's debut, Soulful, he seems totally in his element here. Studdard is clearly inspired to perform songs he grew up on."[2]

Commercial performance

The album debuted and peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart, with first week sales of 96,000 units.[3] It also topped both the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and the Top Gospel Albums chart.[4][5] On April 8, 2005, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[6]

Track listing

I Need an Angel track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I Need an Angel"R. KellyKelly4:51
2."Center of My Joy"
  • Richard Smallwood
  • Bill Gaither
  • Gloria Gaither
Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell5:52
3."Goin' Up Yonder"Walter HawkinsCampbell3:40
4."Fix It, Jesus" (featuring Harvey Watkins, Jr.)WatkinsWatkins3:46
5."Amazing Grace"John NewtonEric Dawkins4:31
6."Shout to the Lord"Darlene ZschechDawkins3:59
7."Running Back to You"HammondHammond5:08
8."Restoration"Mario WinansWinans3:59
9."We Have Not Forgotten" (featuring Fred Hammond)
  • Hammond
  • Noel Hall
 4:39
10."I Surrender All"Eugene Clark, Judson Van DeVenter
  • Dawkins
  • Derek Clark[a]
3:58
11."Ain't No Need to Worry" (featuring Mary Mary)WinansCampbell3:01
12."Don't You Give Up"
  • Studdard
  • Garrett
  • Lauren Thomas
3:46

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer

Sample credits

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for I Need an Angel
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[6] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "I Need an Angel - Ruben Studdard". AllMusic. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "Picks and Pans Review: Ruben Studdard". People. Time Inc. December 20, 2004. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  3. ^ "B&E: Linkin Park & Ruben Studdard". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Ruben Studdard Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Ruben Studdard Chart History (Top Gospel Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "American album certifications – Ruben Studdard – I Need An Angel". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  7. ^ "Ruben Studdard Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  8. ^ "Year-End Charts: Billboard 200 Albums - 2005". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  9. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2020.