In Episode 72 of the Temple Barred Podcast, hosts Jim Win and Philip Noone sit down with acclaimed Irish songwriter Ray Heffernan for one of the most compelling and thought-provoking conversations yet.

At the centre of this episode is the origin story behind “Angels”, the global hit made famous by Robbie Williams — and the untold story of how Ray’s role in its creation was ultimately left uncredited.

Ray shares how a chance meeting in Dublin led to a late-night writing session that would become one of the biggest songs of all time — and how that moment turned into a defining lesson about the realities of the music industry.

Over the years, this story has grown far beyond one individual experience.

It has become a cautionary tale for songwriters and artists worldwide — highlighting the importance of publishing, ownership, and understanding the contracts you sign.

And now, the story has taken on a life of its own…

It has recently been unofficially adapted into a Hollywood film, Power Ballad, starring Paul Rudd — a surreal reflection of how this real-life experience has entered music folklore.

But this episode is not about bitterness — it’s about perspective, growth, and meaning.

Jim, Philip, and Ray explore:

* The true story behind the writing of “Angels”

* How creative contributions can be lost within the music industry

* Why publishing and songwriting credits matter more than most artists realise

* The idea of songs as living, evolving entities

* Letting go, surrender, and the deeper meaning behind “Angels”

* Music as a time machine for memory and emotion

* Synchronicity, intuition, and the “world behind the world”

Ray also opens up about:

* Navigating the fallout of losing recognition on a global hit

* How his story has resonated with countless artists in similar situations

* New legal developments that could potentially reshape the outcome

* Building a new life in Italy and creating a unique system of teaching language through music

This is a conversation about truth, authorship, legacy, and the cost of creativity.

A must-listen for any artist, songwriter, or creative navigating the modern music industry.

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🎧 Listen now on:

YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

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* 🎙️ Podcast: @templebarredpod

* 🎤 Jim Win: @jimwinmusic

* 🎧 Philip Noone: @philipnoone

* 🎼 Ray Heffernan: @rayheffernan

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