Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Not Today, Angel” by Dikembe
“Not Today, Angel” by Dikembe, from their 2016 album Hail Something, is a song of hope in the face of darkness that asks the question: “Is there something that I can do?” Definitely a break-up song, the song attempts to lift up the listener and inspire them to keep going.
The song opens with gentle acoustic guitar and a heartfelt vocal, layered with imagery such as “The smoke’s so grey, I can’t see you.” The lyrics convey a sense of longing and loss, but also a reminder of the hope that still exists: “Not today, Angel, I’ll start to fly again.” Under the weight of despair, the singer holds firm to the belief that things will get better. The music slowly builds in intensity into an anthemic chorus of “Even when I fall, I hear the call,” before finally culminating in a blast of crashing drums and distorted guitars.
Dikembe uses their music to express their own struggles with depression and anxiety, and this sentiment is captured beautifully in “Not Today, Angel.” It is a reminder to anyone struggling to stay afloat that although the darkness can be overwhelming, hope and courage can be found in that same darkness. The message of this song is powerful—not only to those struggling with their own mental health, but to anyone who may been dealing with difficult times. As the song’s refrain promises, though, “Not today, Angel, we’ll start to fly again.” Let this song be an anthem of hope, a reminder that although life can be tough, it’s never too late to keep fighting and never too late to start to fly again.