Paul van Dyk 'For An Angel' | The Making Of A Trance Classic

[@DJMag]

What tracks would you like to see next? 👇

[@mannymore_music]

"Strobe" by Deadmau5 or "Pjanoo" by Eric Prydz could be dope.

[@angelvillacaqui95AQP]

Steve Angello vs. Matisse & Sadko - SLVR

[@Sneaky_arrogant_selfish_DJs]

Google News DJs Paul van Dyk Hardcore Techno dj

[@kiper_in_trance]

Atb- Ecstasy

[@christophermcevoy7571]

Tiesto - urban train

[@christophermcevoy7571]

My son played for an angel on his piano. I sent a video of it to Paul via social media and he sent my son a lovely email and shared the video on all of his socials. What a guy. What a tune. What a DJ. Absolute legend.

[@irufushi5998]

Touch of class from a true dance music icon.

[@chejoseofficialTV]

Paul is a total legend!

[@MrDeeyal]

@@christophermcevoy7571 that is awesome!

[@vjl8263]

So, Show us that video please...

[@cmstandingmusic3002]

When music was good

[@RenatA2006]

For An Angel is the anthem of trance music 🎶

[@DJMag]

100%

[@Positive_Tea]

It one of the songs from the era that bring back swells of emotion and memories. Sometimes I can't even listen it's so emotional. For and Angel, Til I Come, Madagascar, Greece 2000, and It's a Fine Day, Nuero by Xcabs, Cafe Del Mar. These tunes are more than music.

[@RockstahRolln]

Absolutely is!! Every time I listen to it come on anywhere my eyes well up with tears! What a track!! I saw Paul, DJ live in the US several times, he is truly incredible!

[@mrBSho]

For An Angel is one of the foundational anthems!! I think others like Greece 2000’s Three Drives On A Vinyl and a few others are each pillars as well ;)

[@TimMer1981]

@@mrBSho Don't forget Chicane's "Saltwater" and Chakra's "Love Shines Through".

[@TranceHistorian]

"in the early 90s the music we wanted didin't really exist, so we had to make it" - what an amazing statement!! 😭😭😭

[@katycanino1566]

I know, it really resounded in my head, and I said, "You go boy!"

[@TheOrphicCreative]

That totally sums up the mood of the era for sure

[@alexpeartree2019]

How every groundbreaker thinks.

[@leob4403]

​@@alexpeartree2019definitely not the way Taylor swift would think

[@alexpeartree2019]

@@leob4403 maybe so, but she'd just shake it off.

[@easternflow1078]

I am a truck driver and this trance anthem is in my head every night. For an Angel, Saltwater, Sansa, Long way home, concrete angel…. No words… masterpiece of electronic music

[@DJMag]

Glad you enjoyed it! Check out our episode on 'Saltwater' too.

[@DBecks09]

Yes yes yes

[@Techjunkiero]

Saltwater of Chicane is one of my all time favs. Same as Xpander by Sasha. The peak of trance music.

[@MrDeeyal]

The 90's was magical for Trance

[@kenmastersmaster]

Long way home ATb?

[@AlmarMusicOfficial]

I heard "For an Angel" for the first time in 1998/1999 on the radio when I was only 14 years old and I remember I was so impressed that I began to dream about producing this kind of music and melodies. I didn't have a computer at the time, only the radio and casette recorder. Ten years later in 2009 I had my first record/remix on vinyl on Paul's label, I couldn't believe it myself and after that other tracks of mine played by him on the radio. It all started with this track and I've always wanted to thank Paul for igniting my passion with his music.

[@midnight8990]

Your remix of Elfsong - Seldarine is amazing 🔥

[@katycanino1566]

Congratulations! What a feat. Dreams do come true.

[@AlmarMusicOfficial]

@@midnight8990 Thank you, I'm glad you liked it.

[@AlmarMusicOfficial]

@@katycanino1566 Indeed, sometimes it just happens 🙂

[@electrospriggan]

"The music we wanted to hear did not really exist, we have to make it" ABSOLUTELY LEGEND

[@hoodbyair223]

legend but imagine u doing it in 90's and u can come with whatever and u can be important in space

[@martinvk-77]

A true classic trance song. They don't make them like this anymore.

[@theriddick2735]

They always used to want to make something different to what came before, now they all want to copy each other.

[@michaela3274]

I was 17 in 1994 and and got my drivers license the year after. I bought a single CD with For An Angle and copied tit to a cassette I could listen to in the car. Now 30 years on I can only say: Paul, you made a timeless classic! 👏

[@Positive_Tea]

This song changed my life forever lol

[@MuratSever]

Me too

[@Pottwerke]

Just get a girlfriend an d a job...

[@DreamyDawnMusic]

He seems so humble and kind! One of the legends in the trance scene for sure!

[@theriddick2735]

One of the few remaining. BT, Matt Darey, Armin, Tiesto, Ferry, etc don't do (proper) trance music anymore.

[@byza101]

What an era … For an Angel, Greece 2000, Energy 52, Saltwater, As the Rush Comes. We were so privileged. I’ve seen Paul in Sydney, London, Berlin, Ibiza, New York. Very nice man ti meet, absolute top dj. This track will still be being played in clubs 100 years from now.

[@DJMag]

An amazing few years for dance music!

[@Nodadj]

The father of Trance has spoken..AMEN!

[@PaulCarsonProducer]

What a legendary track this was, still sounds super fresh to this day.

[@djianh]

That show when it poured in Central Park, June 2004. So glad PVD still remembers it. Truly epic night.

[@DJMag]

Looked so special !

[@fanstastic83]

One of the best dance songs ever released ❤

[@MarinosPl]

Paul, if you are reading this, you are such a lovely and humble guy! It's an honour for me to have you as an idol 20+ years ago. As for "For an Angel" its just a masterpiece. Really missing that sound of trance back then.

[@jvaddison]

He seems like a proper down to earth man. Respect.

[@FAT8893]

Still a great tune today in 2024. It never gets old.

[@Mani_Matter]

A masterpiece

[@lisafarringtonco]

Still gives me goosebumps, want to conquer health issues so I can see PVD play it live again!

[@Leopard_Lover]

I’m really Enjoying these interviews with the artists and hearing the stories behind their hits! @dj mag

[@JeffCappelletti]

Alot of times Paul will play the piano riff on one of his m.i.d.i. controllers live. Paul uses Ableton live when he performs. The great thing is Paul can play keyboard riffs and lines live if he wants to. For An Angel was a healing song when my wife passed due to cancer.

[@B1ggz13]

Such a humble dude and such a massive tune which means so much to so many

[@dirkw.8982]

I played with Paul many times in Munich, KW. Nice guy, a legend. Greetings from the former DJ Housepunk.

[@MaxiZamac]

One of the best tracks ever made.

[@Jaxxamillion-]

I saw so many of his gatecrasher 6hr sets - those were the glory days of trance. He must have played every remix of For An Angel across those sets

[@mrBSho]

Oh yes, the glory of going to the record store (for me, Virgin Megastore in LA), and seeing the new “import” Gatecrasher compilations with the lion logo! Magic🔥

[@dubster8086]

Oh man, I’m getting emotional just thinking about those nights, just so so special. It will always be with you

[@bananaempijama]

This takes me waaaaay back. Paul did so many hits that i love (this, another way, tell me why, nothing but you). One of the best in my book.

[@monologemitidioten8052]

In my opinion, PVD is the greatest of all time. Even though I’m not typically into trance, I’ve loved this track for years! To me, it’s one of the best ever, right alongside Robert M’s Children. Plus, PVD is an incredibly genuine and likable person. I’m so happy he recovered from that terrible accident. Keep going, Paul!

[@myproducerjourney]

This is the first trance track I heard, age of 14, which inspired my interest in djing, music production, the amazing club memories and feeling trance music invoked and still invokes. Thank you Paul.

[@Gjallarhorn84]

I was only 14 in 1998 when the German music channel Viva (rip) aired the stunning music video of this timeless masterpiece, let me tell you something; I was already a diehard Metalhead, PVD completely extended my music taste by introducing me to Trance music and I was impressed to discover that not only he is the founder, but there was not much artists doing this music in the scene back then, fast forward today, he is still the only pioneer who remained faithful to his roots, also, the dreamy music video made For An Angel a very unique classic: PVD just chilling at the beach , kids playing in front of him, and the constant presence of natural landscapes you can almost smell the freshness of the forests and the beach from the TV, I'm 40 today but the teenager in me is absolutely immortal thanks to this classic tune and other masterpieces that make me feel extremely nostalgic about the sweet 90s, what an era... Thank you PVD for literally raising a whole generation of dreamers. We love you

[@djmark143]

An absolute legend. This for me is one of the defining tunes of the 90s trance scene. I was a teenager in that era and I am so happy I was able to grow up in this era.

[@davey3765]

I remember listening to Paul in the late 90's and that was the most awesome music back then. I was in my late teens.

[@5thStreet2009]

I'm from Sheffield and I used to listen to Hallem FC radio in Yorkshire England and every weekends they would play live DJs playing from GATECRASHER (SHEFFIELD) and every single weekend they would play FOR AN ANGEL among all the other 90s and early 2000 trance anthems .. I loved it so much I would record it onto caset tape through the radio and then listen to it every night till the next weekend and then record it all again and repeat.. Gatecrasher burned down a year or two before I turned 16 and never got to go 😢 I had every CD before Spotify came into my life. RIP GATECRASHER

[@Gazz85]

In 2006 on my US trip, I was walking through Central Park by myself with my shopping bags… and then I heard ‘For an Angel’ in the distance. I stayed for the rest of the set! So random and so fun.

[@HALFSTEP]

When I listen to this again, I still remember the emotion of the first time I heard it! It will be a masterpiece forever💗

[@danimation88]

Many remixes, but the ewerk remix is the definitive version of angel.

[@dirtyhabitz2888]

I was at Peach at Camden in the late 90’s when I first heard this track. The whole place erupted, everyone had their hands in the air having the time of their lives. That memory still sends shivers down my spine and every time I hear For an Angel it takes me right back to that incredible time ❤

[@digsmann]

PVD .. you are legend and big thanks that you continue to stick with making music old style

[@katycanino1566]

I like it even more now after he mentioned what his inspiration was for making the song. Also, major kudos to him for mentioning the Depeche Mode/Enjoy the Silence analogy. I loved it.

[@BenGray87]

Goose bumps every time ❤

[@DJMag]

A special song!

[@elliotcastroooo]

Surely one of the best dance tracks and definitely one of the best trance tunes ever.

[@BBiGiBB]

repeating same notes can do strong influence, incredible

[@HenningUhle]

Of course, we all know "For an Angel". But I came across Paul van Dyk with "The Green Valley EP". I'm in tears everytime I listen to "My World". What an absolute beauty this thing is! When I started to make electronic music, we had an Amiga Computer, a Roland Sound Module and a cheap Yamaha keyboard. Of course, the music that we wanted to hear didn't exist either, so we had to make it. But we had no luck, nobody wanted to listen to our music. But I experienced the same emotions like Paul van Dyk with some hook in your mind that's driving you crazy. This will always connect you to your music. During the Pandemic, I came back to making music. And the feeling is the same like in 1992 when an innocent 19 year old dude started to make music with another innocent guy from just around the corner.

[@BilboHaggins]

Check out his track forbidden fruit. It will leave you feeling the same way

[@ardalanafra9928]

Timeless, period

[@DJMag]

Correct!

[@OrgaNik_Music]

I liked how he said the music they wanted to hear didn't exist, so they had to make it themselves. I wish more artists did that instead of just trying to emulate already existing music.

[@eugens519]

That was one of the first songs I’ve got on my computer back in 99 and it still hits so many years after. Definitive ❤

[@gergopalyov3367]

What a nice person! Very kind! Separeted Germany childhood! Not fancy life style! One kid of family! And step by step love of music going thought his life! And steel human whith smile but he is a legend ! Respect!

[@cuppapablo]

Still gives me chills to this day

[@AL_EVOz]

One of my fav trance classic since High School. The first time i heard this it was magical.

[@piotrpazera5150]

I was about 14 y.o. when I first heard "For an angel". i still remember how I felt listening to it back then... It was, and still is, absolutely special piece of music! It evokes something deeper from within our souls!

[@swswgg9911]

I was just a kid when I first heard this song, probably in 98 or 99. My uncle had taken me to a kiosk in Santa Monica that sold bootleg mixtapes and CDs, and For An Angel was the final track on the CD he bought me. I fell so deeply in love with trance music, which only flourished for a brief moment in time. And I love that kids now are resurrecting so many of the classic tracks - they've stood the test of time!

[@esaedvik]

One of my first loves. Still gives me chills.

[@chinmoykalita5959]

There are a very few songs in this universe you can never get bored of listening to. "For an Angel" is one of them. Thank you very much for giving us such an Awesome track 😊

[@DJMag]

Couldn't agree more!

[@gobtv9459]

We had a great time making the video in Cancun. A lot of laughter ... off camera. Shame Paul only remembers the butterfly house ... the sticky stuff was sugar water. A lot of work went into making the video. The kids playing football are ace. Sadly, when I went back to the spot with the beach shack a few years later, there was a hotel there. Locations were Xpuha and Xcaret mainly.

[@DJMag]

Great job!

[@gobtv9459]

@@DJMag Thanks. It's a great track. Paul was very pleasant and easy to work with. And some 25 years later, we're both still working ... which is something.

[@davidayres7973]

This is an iconic track of the trance wave in the mid/late 90s. I'll never get bored of hearing it, or the remixes

[@theduke998]

One of the most perfect songs....EVER ❤

[@danielem.6320]

One of the most significant artists in the '90s trance music scene, with "For an Angel," one of the most beautiful tracks ever created. Thank you for making me dream and for inspiring my desire to travel. You are a great DJ and producer, and you have all my admiration.

[@djdylanforbes]

For An Angel is the epitome of trance music. It got me into trance and changed my life forever. #itwillalwaysbewithyou

[@DJMag]

Amazing!

[@khurramkhalifa1454]

Same here I still have it on 12"

[@Greg073]

I first heard this when I saw Paul live in Berlin at Love Parade and have loved it ever since. The memories of that day and how much fun I had live on forever in my head.

[@mdb3040]

Well jealous

[@darrenwardell3079]

One word…. Legendary😊

[@TomeRodrigo]

One of my favourite songs ever. Always been.

[@tatsga]

This must the biggest trance song to influence my music taste towards EDM music at late 90s when I was like 10 years old. I must have played this thousands of times because back then your winamp playlist wasn't infinite like streaming services are today!

[@razgmk]

I always thought that For An Angel was dedicated to the "angel" on top of the Victory Coloumn in Berlin around which the Loveparade was held ❤For me it will always be about it.

[@garyk86]

The greatest dance tune ever ❤️

[@Taffam]

I found this song at Uni in '98 and I cannot describe how this made me feel, even now so many years later it makes me feel a certain kind of way, it's simply incredible.

[@BLLEman]

Absolutely wonderful nostalgic tune. So many memories of this great trance classic.

[@carkeysolution6105]

For An Angel bring up good memories

[@Javi-nl5hw]

An essential trance piece for all times! Beautiful!

[@Spenceyboi89]

The track that brought me to dance music and kept me here 🙏

[@jadhallab]

I watched him live many times during his “in between “ tour back in 2007-2010. He started with an intro remix for the track new york city. All those years and i still cant find that remix. PVD plz release it!! Also, vonyc sessions were the best. Interesting fact about pvd, i remixed his track once and emailed it to him like 20 years ago, he emailed me back and gave alot of comments and saw a talent in me. Thanks man, a true pure DJ.

[@ankurjohriddsmd]

Tracks like this leave lasting memories… I grew up listening to Trance in my teen years. This tracks still kicks strong in 2024.

[@Dninny1]

It will always be my favourite. Soundtrack to golden times.

[@deebzeal8204]

This song is such a classic! I still listen to it today 😁

[@ca9968]

I`ve been lucky enough to see him live twice in South Africa, his set at H20 (a day rave in a waterpark, in the SA summer) was next to perfect, when he dropped this track the place erupted!

[@HolgiHSK]

For an angel is the ultimate trance anthem, I alwas get goose bumps since the Love Parade if I her this song. It's amazing.....

[@TheDayBeforeWednesday]

Such a great producer. I grew up with him in my cd player and cassettes. I remember the late 99, early 00 when i used to listen to Ministry of Sound on Radio 21 at midnight in Romania and record songs on my radio cassette player. What great times. All the best to you legend and thanks DjMag for this.

[@lamberchelo]

I was with Paul in Sheffield when this first got into the Top 40 in 1998 which back then was a rate for a trance tune. His label at the time Deviant were very happy. Good times.

[@tellerrecords]

such a Classic tune!

[@KINGPIN423]

The tune for the forever moments

[@Carlho80]

Never gets old puts a smile on my face everytime.

[@oddpodd701]

PVD is a Legend. I listen to Vonyc daily. It lifts my soul

[@technation9]

Arguably the greatest trance tune ever made, thank you Paul 🙌

[@SunnySunny-bb5pp]

i still remember when i saw him live in mumbai in 2013, it was my dream come true. PVD & ATB are the biggest legends

[@RaveyStabs]

What a guy, what a producer, with his own distinct sound. When you saw PVDs name on any track you knew you were in store for a technical masterpiece!

[@ryanmassey1245]

I remember when this came out when I was in college. Still gives chills for how good it is.

[@hans-cristianlindh-rengifo6453]

Together with enjoy the silence probably the best songs ever. ❤️

[@saraksingh6604]

Had tears in my eyes !!

[@LovecraftComedy]

One of my best friends took his own life last year and we played the Escape Mix of 'FOA' on repeat as people were arriving at the crematorium. We also had Gareth Emery 'Missing You' during the ceremony. RIP Steve x

[@karlonehouserecords]

love the story ❤ cheers from Poland 🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱

[@AngryBulldogg]

Ahhh this is the track. Ma mam died in 1999 when I was 15. I'd been into dance music for a few years and was massive into trance by this point. Ma nana moved in with us briefly to look after me as ma pops was working away. She used to hear the music I was playing with ma mates and she pulled me up on evening and asked me what it was and if I cud put some on a cassette for her so she could listen to them whenever she wanted. I asked what she wanted putting on it and she was just like, what you listen to, that one with the piano you play a lot. I told her the name of it and that was that. For an angel briefly got a 78/79 year old lady into trance haha, I'll never forget that conversation. She was only there a few months before she moved back over to Middlesbrough but I'd been to see her one Sunday a few years later and saw her hifi and it randomly popped in my head to check the tape deck. Cassette still there lol

[@itsthespiceoflife]

I love your music so much PVD. You have gotten me through the good times, hard times and everything inbetween! Your beautiful music has changed the world and you've paved the way for those that came after! Thank you for everything. Love you! ❤❤❤❤

[@Jack_talbot]

Saw him in Ibiza about 10 years ago at amnesia. One of the true legends of trance. Love you PVD ❤

[@stephendonovan6773]

Paul is such a cool guy!! Lucky to have had a quick chat with him before one of his sets in Amnesia. Happy Days!!

[@romandavid10]

Shortly before smartphones, PVD arrived one night in a small Mayan-speaking village that borders a Mérida city in Yucatan, and played for 3 hours... three of the best hours I've ever had in my life... the happiest moments in a sublime musical aura... who would have thought that this cabrón would play in a Mexican town as if he were playing in NY or at some festival of international attraction!!!! PVD is a legend.

What a classy guy... His album Seven Ways was and always will be one of the defining pieces of the entire trance genre. It was so much ahead of its time, so elaborate and deep it's mind blowing. I remember asking my mum to buy an original MC of this album for me for my birthday so I could play it in my walkman. She thought I was crazy for wanting some weird cassette with "techno" on it and a price tag of completely ridiculous 600 CZK (CD of that album costs 150 CZK today)... but she bought it for me. I still have it to this day. I don't have a device to play it on anymore but will never part with that cassette.

[@tonywalter2539]

Will always be the BEST trance tune .... ever ... and nice to have been to the original Gatecrasher a few times myself ❤

[@SatyenDulabh]

Thank you Paul Van Dyk, you legend. One of my all time favorite tracks. Love the background to the track, definitely inspiring.

[@DJMag]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Stevie_GMT]

Genius. We love You.

[@hugoalves1823]

"For an angel" is a inspirational masterpiece thankyou Paul!