Ah, the ’70s—a decade of disco, bell-bottoms, and some of the most iconic music ever produced. But today, I want to talk about a song that might not be on everyone’s ’70s playlist but holds a special place in my heart: “Undercover Angel” by Alan O’Day. If you’re a Gen Xer like me, you might remember this tune, and if you don’t, well, let me take you on a trip down memory lane.

You see, I didn’t stumble upon this song on the radio or hear it at a friend’s house. No, I discovered it in my mother’s record collection. Yeah, you heard that right. My mom had an eclectic taste in music, from The Beatles to ABBA, but nestled among those vinyl treasures was Alan O’Day‘s masterpiece. I remember the first time I laid eyes on that record; it was like finding a hidden gem. I was just a kid, probably around 10, and the record player was my playground.

I carefully placed the vinyl on the turntable, gently lowered the needle, and what followed was a melody that would become the soundtrack of my childhood. From the opening chords to the catchy chorus, “Undercover Angel” had me hooked. I played that song every day, sometimes multiple times a day. It was my go-to track, my comfort music, my undercover love.

Let’s talk about the lyrics for a second.

“Undercover Angel, midnight fantasy”—come on, how can you not get swept away by that? The song tells the story of a man who’s visited by an angel in the middle of the night, and it’s just so dreamy and whimsical. As a kid, I didn’t fully grasp the nuances of the song, but I knew it was about something magical, something extraordinary. And let’s be honest, who among us hasn’t fantasized about a celestial being coming down to solve all our problems?

I was blissfully ignorant of any innuendos or adult themes. I mean, come on, the song was about an angel; how risqué could it be? But listening to it as an adult, I can’t help but chuckle at some of the lines. “Crying on my pillow, lonely in my bed, then I heard a voice beside me, and she softly said…” Hold up, what’s going on here? I had this “ah-ha” moment a few years back when I was listening to the song, and I thought,

“Wait a minute, should a young kid have been belting out these lyrics?”

It’s like watching a movie you loved as a kid and suddenly catching all the jokes that flew over your head back then. It adds a whole new layer to the experience, and honestly, it’s hilarious.

Undercover Angel record

Alan O’Day, the man behind this iconic song, was a genius in his own right. Before “Undercover Angel,” he was already making waves in the music industry as a songwriter. But this song was his magnum opus, hitting the top of the charts in 1977. It’s a shame that O’Day isn’t as celebrated as some of his contemporaries, but in my book, he’s a legend.

Fast forward to today, and “Undercover Angel” still holds up. I’ve got it on my playlist, sandwiched between some Springsteen and Bowie, and every time it comes on, I’m transported back to my childhood. It’s like a time machine in musical form, and man, what a trip it is. I can still see myself, a young kid with not a care in the world, dancing around the living room, singing along at the top of my lungs.

So, what’s the legacy of “Undercover Angel”? For me, it’s a song that defined my childhood, a tune that I’ll always associate with a simpler time. But more than that, it’s a testament to the power of music—to transport, to inspire, and to captivate. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most profound experiences can come from the most unexpected places, like a forgotten record in your mom’s collection.

If you’ve never heard “Undercover Angel,” do yourself a favor and give it a listen. And if you’re a Gen Xer who’s forgotten about this classic, let this be your reminder. Trust me, it’s worth revisiting. So go ahead, dust off that old record player, or queue it up on Spotify, and let Alan O’Day take you on a journey back in time.

In a world that’s constantly changing, it’s comforting to know that some things remain the same. And for me, “Undercover Angel” is one of those constants—a piece of my past that will forever be a part of my present. So here’s to Alan O’Day, to “Undercover Angel,” and to the timeless power of music. Cheers.