Barbara Mandrell and Waylon Jennings’ Heartbreaking Ballad: “Angels Love Bad Men”

Love can be a force of pure joy—or quiet devastation. Sometimes, it leads us into the arms of the wrong person, drawn by hope, by longing, or by the illusion that we can change them. Barbara Mandrell and Waylon Jennings bring this painful truth to life in their haunting duet, “Angels Love Bad Men.”

A Story of Love and Heartache

Co-written by Waylon Jennings and Roger Murrah in 1987, “Angels Love Bad Men” is a song that delves into the bittersweet reality of falling for someone who may never be capable of returning that love fully. Released in 1988 as part of Mandrell’s album Sure Feels Good, the song reached No. 49 on the U.S. country charts and also made an impact in Canada, climbing to No. 40.

A Rare but Powerful Collaboration

Despite their individual success in country music, Mandrell and Jennings only recorded one song together. However, their chemistry in “Angels Love Bad Men” makes it clear that their voices were meant to blend. Mandrell also paid tribute to Jennings by covering “Just to Satisfy You” in her album. It’s a shame they didn’t collaborate more—this song proves how incredible they were as a duo.

The Album That Brought the Song to Life

Mandrell’s album Sure Feels Good wasn’t just about this one duet. The record reached No. 48 on the Top Country Albums chart, featuring other hits like “Sure Feels Good” and “Child Support,” both of which also earned spots on the U.S. Billboard and Canadian charts.

Whether you’re a fan of Mandrell, Jennings, or classic country duets, “Angels Love Bad Men” remains a poignant reminder of love’s complexities—how it lifts us up, yet sometimes leads us down a path of heartbreak.

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