The Closer I Get to You

"The Closer I Get to You"

The cover of a 45 R.P.M. single published by Atlantic Records. The song is "The Closer I Get to You" by Roberta Flack with Donny Hathaway

A-side label of U.S. vinyl single
Single by Roberta Flack with Donny Hathaway
from the album Blue Lights in the Basement
B-side "Love Is the Healing"
Released February 1978
Format 7" single
Recorded 1977
Genre Soul, R&B
Length 4:41
Label Atlantic
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Certification Gold
Roberta Flack chronology
"25th of Last December"
(1977)		 "The Closer I Get to You"
(1978)		 "If Ever I See You Again"
(1978)
Donny Hathaway chronology
"Come Little Children"
(1974)		 "The Closer I Get to You"
(1978)		 "You Were Meant for Me"
(1978)

"The Closer I Get to You" is a romantic ballad performed by African American jazz, soul, R&B, and folk singer-songwriter Roberta Flack and African American soul musician Donny Hathaway. The song was written by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas, two former members of Miles Davis' band, who were members of Flack's band at the time. Produced by Atlantic Records, the song was released on Flack's 1977 album Blue Lights in the Basement, and as a single in 1978. It became a major crossover hit, becoming Flack's biggest commercial hit after her success with her 1973 solo single, "Killing Me Softly with His Song". Originally set as a solo-single, Flack's manager, David Franklin, suggested a duet with Hathaway, which resulted in the finished work.

"The Closer I Get to You" spent two weeks as number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart in April 1978, and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The song charted in the top ten spots for fourteen weeks in Canada and one week in France. It was eventually certified gold in the United States on May 1978, and became one of their most familiar duets.

Background and composition

"The Closer I Get to You" was written by Reggie Lucas and James Mtume, who were members of Roberta Flack's touring band and played on Blue Lights in the Basement.[1] They wrote the song between tours and, during the sessions for the album, brought it to Flack's producer Joe Ferla, who played it for Flack. Ferla, Rubina Flake and Gene McDaniels produced the song, and Ahmet Ertegun served as its executive producer.[2] Flack and Donny Hathaway, good friends while attending Howard University, recorded a self-titled album of duets in 1972.[3] Five years later, the duo collaborated again on "The Closer I Get to You".[4]

One of the singers Roberta Flack in 1971

"The Closer I Get to You" was not originally written as a duet. Flack's manager David Franklin, who had worked with Hathaway in the past, decided to re-write the song to include him. Hathaway had been suffering from severe bouts of clinical depression at the time, which often forced him to be hospitalized. The depression also caused mood swings, which adversely affected his partnership with Flack.[5] After Flack and Hathaway were reconciled, the producers had to get permission from the hospital to fly Hathaway out for the recording sessions. Following Hathaway's death in 1979, Flack revealed the importance of recording the song in an interview with Jet:

I tried to reach out to Donny. That's how we managed to do the song we did last year. I felt this need because I didn't know what to do. I couldn't save him, I knew he was sick. But I knew when he sat down at that piano and sang for me it was like it was eight or nine years ago because he sang and played his ass off.[6]

Flack announced that "The Closer I Get to You" would forever be a dedication to Hathaway, and that all money made from the song would be donated to Hathaway's widow and two children.[6] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, "The Closer I Get to You" is set in common time and moves at a tempo of 90 beats per minute. The song is written in the key of A major and follows the chord progression Dmaj9–C♯m7–F♯m7–Amaj7. Flack sings in the vocal range of C♯4–F♯5.[7] "The Closer I Get to You" was released as a 7" single with "Love is the Healing" as its B-side.[8]

Reception

Critical reception and accolades

Critics described "The Closer I Get to You" as Flack at the top of her form.[9] The song came in at number 40 on Billboard' poll of "The 40 Biggest Duets Of All Time", where it was described a "tender tune".[4] Authors of All Music Guide To Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul described the song as ethereal.[10] Alan Light of Vibe magazine characterized it as intimate and effortless as an overheard conversation.[11] Author of 1001 Ways to Be Romantic, Gregory J. P. Godek, included the song in a list of "Best Love Song Duets".[12] A writer of Jet magazine described the song as a "pop-soul classic".[13] Carolyn Quick Tillery, author of Celebrating Our Equality, described the song as a lasting musical legacy.[14] Devon Jarvis of Women's Health included Flack and Hathaway's version of "The Closer I Get to You" in "Favorite Karaoke Duets".[15] While opening the "R&B Vault", Gail Mitchell of Billboard praised the song as a 1970s-era classic.[16] While reviewing Blue Lights in the Basement, Jason Elias of the website Allmusic wrote, "The track easily attains the grace and gorgeous sound that a lot of the like-minded songs here just miss."[17] Lewis Dene of BBC described "The Closer I Get to You" as a "soul masterpiece".[18] Both Hathaway and Flack were nominated for a Grammy Award for their duet.[19]

Chart performance

The song became the duo's second number one on the US R&B charts in 1978, and climbed to the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] "The Closer I Get to You" also peaked at number three on the Adult Contemporary charts.[20]

Music video

A music video for "The Closer I Get to You" was shot and directed by Roberta Flack herself.[21] The video begins with Flack's singing while sitting by a piano in a candle-lit room. Hathaway had died by the time the music video was shot, so as his verse plays, the camera zooms into a picture of Hathaway located on a table behind Flack's shoulder. Flack performs the rest of the song sitting by the piano, and the camera's direction occasionally looks over a candle flame during Hathaway's verses. The video ends with Flack's mouthing some of Hathaway's lyrics as she fades into the camera's view of the room lit by a single candle. A version of Flack's performing the song live circulated as its promotional music video.[22]

Chart performance and certification

Weekly charts

Chart (1978) Peak
position
Canadian RPM Singles Chart[23] 1
New Zealand Singles Chart[24] 16
French Singles Chart[25] 10
UK Singles Chart[25] 42
US Hot Soul Singles[26] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 2
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks 3
US Cash Box Top 100 2

Year-end charts

Chart (1978) Rank
Canada [27] 17
US Billboard Hot 100 [28] 38
US Cash Box [29] 31

Certification

Region (provider) Certifications
(sales thresholds)
United States (RIAA) Gold[1]

Beyoncé and Luther Vandross version

"The Closer I Get to You"
Promotional material by Beyoncé and Luther Vandross from the album Dangerously in Love and Dance with My Father
Released June 13, 2004
Recorded
Genre
Length 6:25 (Luther Vandross album version)
4:57 (Beyonce album version)
Label Columbia
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Nat Adderley, Jr.

Beyoncé and Luther Vandross's 2003 cover version of the song appeared on both Vandross' final album Dance with My Father and Knowles' solo debut Dangerously in Love. Their version was recorded at The Hit Factory and the Right Track Studios, in New York City.[30] It follows a tempo of 98 beats per minute, slightly faster than the original version. It is set in the key of E♭ major, and follows the chord progression Gm7–Cm7–E♭maj9–A♭.[31] It was serviced to US urban contemporary and urban adult contemporary radio on June 13, 2004.[32][33]

Reception

Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called the song "dated" and wrote that it felt out of place on Dangerously in Love.[34] Erika Ramirez of Billboard magazine also noted that "While the singer holds her on alongside the legend, the quiet storm duet feels out of place considering the electrifying feel of majority of the album."[35] Neil Drumming of Entertainment Weekly said: "A remake of ‘The Closer I Get to You’ with Luther Vandross also sounds, sadly, a little dated."[36] Spence D. of IGN Music commented "By the time Beyoncé has teamed up with the granddaddy of contemporary love jams, Luthor Vandross, on 'The Closer I Get To You', her album has descended into somewhat generic terrain. Sure, her vocals are on point and the music is adequately slick."[37] Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone wrote, "While she oozes charisma and has a fine voice, Beyoncé isn't in a class with the likes of Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey as a singer, a fact that 'The Closer I Get to You', her duet with the effortlessly smooth Luther Vandross, also makes clear."[38]

Jason King of Vibe magazine wrote that Knowles had some "cojones" to follow up a Jay-Z duet with a Luther Vandross duet on the album's track-listing.[39] Rob Fitzpatrick of NME stated that "it's the irredeemably cheesy ballad with 80s cornball Luther Vandross that will make the voices in your head demand hot, fresh blood."[40] By contrast, Lewis Dene of BBC gave the song a positive review, stating that it is guaranteed the number one slot on the US R&B charts.[18] Consequence of Sound's Chris Coplan noted that the song contained "unintentional cheesy vibe, [which] seems way more heart-wrenching now [in 2013] than it did a decade ago" and added that Knowles' vocals contained a "real sweetness and innocence".[41] Pamelia S. Phillips, the author of Singing for Dummies, credited Knowles' vocal performance on "The Closer I Get to You" as one of her best.[42] Mark Anthony Neal of PopMatters gave Knowles and Vandross "vocal props" for their performance in the "quiet storm", but described the overall performance as flat.[43] During the 46th Grammy Awards, this version of "The Closer I Get to You" won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.[44]

Knowles and Vandross' cover of "The Closer I Get to You" debuted at number 76 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart dated July 24, 2004. The next week it moved up to number 68,[45] and on August 7 it peaked at number 62.[46] The track spent a total of twenty weeks on the chart.[47] On the airplay component of this chart, the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, "The Closer I Get to You" spent eight weeks and reached a peak of number 60.[48]

Formats and track listings

  1. "The Closer I Get to You" (Radio Edit) – 4:26
  2. "The Closer I Get to You" (Instrumental) – 6:28
  3. "The Closer I Get to You" (Call Out Hook) – 0:10

Credits and personnel

Credits taken from Dangerously in Love liner notes.[30]

  • Lead Vocals: B. Knowles, L. Vandross
    • Background Vocals: Cissy Houston, Tawatha Agee, Brenda White-King, Candace Thomas
  • Writing: J. Mtume, R. Lucas
  • Recording: Stan Wallace
  • Vocal engineer: Nat Adderley Jr., Skip Anderson
  • Mix engineer: Ray Bardani
  • Drums: Ivan Hampden, Jr.
  • Bass: Byron Miller
  • Guitars: Phil Hamilton
  • Percussion: Bashiri Johnson
  • Electric piano: Nat Adderley, Jr.
  • Sound programing and additional keyboards: Skip Anderson
  • Strings: Al Brown
    • String Arrangement: Nat Adderley, Jr.
  • Concert Master: Sanford Allen
  • Producing: Nat Adderley, Jr.

Other versions

"The Closer I Get To You" has been covered many times. The first was released by Mtume on their 1978 album Kiss This World Goodbye, sung by James Mtume and Tawatha Agee.[50][51][52] In 1990, Toshinobu Kubota and Lynn Davis performed a live duet rendition of the song.[53] In 1994, a cover was recorded by the smooth jazz band Fourplay for their third studio album Elixir which featured R&B and smooth jazz singers Patti Austin and Peabo Bryson.[54][55] Fourplay's cover of the song was described as an "undistinguished version" of the original song by Allmusic's Steven McDonald.[56] In 1998, Dennis Brown covered the song with Janet Kay for his compilation album The Prime of Dennis Brown.[57] This version of the song contains digital keyboards and slick production.[58] The song was also included on Brown's compilation album Money in My Pocket: Anthology 1970-1995.[59] In 2005, Nina Girado covered the song with Thor for her album live album Nina Live!.[60] A writer of The Philippine Star noted that Thor "matches Nina note for note on their duet".[61] Girado's version of the song won in the category for Best Duet Award at the Awit Awards in 2006.[62] It was covered by Filipino acoustic band MYMP on their 2005 album Versions, with lyrics separately sung by Chin Alcantara and Juris Fernandez.[63] Contemporary jazz guitarist Peter White covered the song on his rendition-packed album Reflections.[64][65] Saxophonist Kim Waters included a version of the song on his 2007 album You Are My Lady. It features the vocals by R&B singer Lisa Fischer.[66]

On an episode of New York Undercover, guest star singers Brandy and Tevin Campbell sang the duet at Natalie's (a club in the TV series owned by Jose Perez character Mike Torres). On an episode of Martin, Gina (played by Tisha Campbell-Martin) and singer Keith Washington performed, "The Closer I Get to You" at a party Gina was hosting.[67] In the film Rush Hour 3, when Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan are at the French theater and the play has stopped, the song is sung by Tucker and Chan, with Tucker singing it in a high-pitched voice.[68]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hogan, Ed. "The Closer I Get to You". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  2. ↑ The Closer I Get To You / Love Is The Healing (Media notes). Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. Atlantic Records. 1977.
  3. ↑ Easlea, Daryl (2011). "Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway Review". BBC Music. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The 40 Biggest Duets Of All Time". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. February 14, 2011. p. 1. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  5. ↑ Bogdanov, Vladimir (August 14, 2003). All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 0879307447.
  6. 1 2 "The Two Sides of Roberta Flack". Jet. Vol. 57 no. 11. Johnson Publishing Company. November 29, 1979. p. 45. ISSN 0021-5996.
  7. ↑ "Roberta Flack 'The Closer I Get To You" Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  8. ↑ The Closer I Get to You (US 7" Vinyl). Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway. Atlantic Records. 1978. ASIN B000P93VQQ.
  9. ↑ Carney Smith, Jessy (1996). Notable Black American Women. 2. Gale Research Inc. p. 226. ISBN 0-8103-9177-5.
  10. ↑ Bogdanov, Vladimir; Vudstra, Chris; Thomas Erlewine, Stephen (April 10, 2002). All Music Guide to Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 0-87930-653-X.
  11. ↑ Light, Alan (November 2006). "By All Means Necessary - Essential Donny Hathaway". Vibe. Vibe Media. p. 162. ISSN 1070-4701.
  12. ↑ J.P. Godek, Gregory (2000). 1001 Ways to Be Romantic. Sourcebooks, Inc. p. 174. ISBN 1-57071-481-9.
  13. ↑ "Donny Hathaway's Daughter, Wins New Fans With CD, 'Outrun the Sky'". Jet. Vol. 107 no. 1. Johnson Publishing Company. January 10, 2005. p. 28. ISSN 0021-5996.
  14. ↑ Quick Tillery, Carolyn (2003). Celebrating Our Equality: A Cookbook With Recipes and Remembrances from Howard University. Kensington Books. ISBN 0806525088.
  15. ↑ Jarvis, Devon (May 2007). "Our Favorite Karaoke Duets". Women's Health. Rodale, Inc. p. 61. ISSN 0884-7355.
  16. ↑ "Flyte Tyme Records Take Flight At Arista; 'Ladies Man' Soundtrack Opens R&B Vaults". Billboard. Vol. 112 no. 37. Nielsen Business Media. September 9, 2000. p. 25. ISSN 0006-2510.
  17. ↑ Elias, Jason. "Blue Lights in the Basement: Roberta Flack". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  18. 1 2 "Music - Review of Beyoncé - Dangerously In Love". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  19. ↑ Michael Cheers, D. (April 1979). "The Mysterious Death of Donny Hathaway". Ebony. Vol. 34 no. 6. Johnson Publishing Company. p. 62.
  20. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 92.
  21. ↑ "Videos : Roberta Flack : The Closer I Get To You". Country Music Television. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  22. ↑ "The Closer I Get to You - Roberta Flack - Music Videos". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Top Singles - Volume 29, No. 8, May 20, 1978". RPM. RPM Publishing Inc. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - The Closer I Get to You". New Zealand Singles Chart. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  25. 1 2 "Song artist 409 - Roberta Flack". Tsort.info. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  26. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 206.
  27. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  28. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1978/Top 100 Songs of 1978". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  29. ↑ http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1978YESP.html
  30. 1 2 3 Dangerously in Love (Media notes). Sony Music BMG Entertainment. 2003.
  31. ↑ "The Closer I Get to You sheet music (Digital Download)". Musicnotes.com. Scarab Publishing Corporation.
  32. ↑ "R&R Going for Adds: Urban". Radio & Records. June 13, 2004. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  33. ↑ "R&R Going for Adds: Urban". Radio & Records. June 13, 2004. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  34. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (June 21, 2003). "Beyoncé Dangerously in Love". Slant Magazine. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  35. ↑ Ramirez, Erika (June 22, 2013). "Beyonce, 'Dangerously In Love': Classic Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  36. ↑ Drumming, Neil (June 27, 2003). "Dangerously in Love (2003)". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  37. ↑ D., Spence (September 3, 2003). "Dangerously In Love - Beyoncé's solo debut is a mixed bag of contemporary R&B". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  38. ↑ DeCurtis, Anthony (July 10, 2003). "Album Reviews: Dangerously in Love". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  39. ↑ King, Jason (August 2003). "Beyoncé - Dangerously in Love (Columbia)". Vibe. Vibe Media. p. 150. ISSN 1070-4701.
  40. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Rob (July 2, 2003). "Album Reviews - Beyonce : Dangerously In Love". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  41. ↑ Coplan, Chris; Bosman, Chris (June 22, 2013). "Dusting 'Em Off: Beyoncé – Dangerously in Love". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  42. ↑ Phillips, Pamelia S. (2010). Singing For Dummies. 2. John Wiley & Sons. p. 284. ISBN 0470640200.
  43. ↑ Anthony, Mark. "Beyoncé: Dangerously in Love". PopMatters. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  44. ↑ Joseph Patel (February 9, 2004). "Beyonce Wins Most, Outkast Shine, 50 Cent Shut Out At Grammys". MTV News (Viacom). Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  45. ↑ "Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 116 no. 31. Nielsen Business Media. July 31, 2004. p. 27. ISSN 0006-2510.
  46. ↑ "Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 116 no. 32. Nielsen Business Media. August 7, 2004. p. 15. ISSN 0006-2510.
  47. ↑ "Luther Vandross". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  48. ↑ "Luther Vandross". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Beyonce Knowles The Closer I Get To You USA Promo CD single (CD5 / 5") (326185)". eil.com. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  50. ↑ "Kiss This World Goodbye: Mtume". Amazon.com (UK). Amazon Inc. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  51. ↑ Hamilton, Andrew. "Kiss This World Goodbye - Mtume". Allmusic. Robi Corporation. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  52. ↑ "Music - Kiss This World Goodbye by Mtume". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  53. ↑ "久保田利伸&Lynn Davis～THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU～". Youtube. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  54. ↑ "Elixir: Fourplay". Amazon.com (UK). Amazon Inc. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  55. ↑ "Fourplay's The Closer I Get to You cover of Roberta Flack feat. Donny Hathaway's The Closer I Get to You". WhoSampled. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  56. ↑ "Elixir - Fourplay". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  57. ↑ "Dennis Brown feat. Janet Kay's The Closer I Get to You cover of Roberta Flack feat. Donny Hathaway's The Closer I Get to You". WhoSampled. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  58. ↑ Anderson, Rick. "The Prime of Dennis Brown [1998 Music Club]". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  59. ↑ "Money in My Pocket: Anthology 1970-1995: Dennis Brown". Amazon.com (UK). Amazon Inc. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  60. ↑ "Live: Nina: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Amazon Inc. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  61. ↑ "Reader a victim of 'idea piracy'". The Philippine Star. Vol. 20 no. 97. PhilStar Daily, Inc. March 15, 2005. p. 32.
  62. ↑ "Something different from Nina". Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. June 24, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  63. ↑ Villagomez, Kaye (March 6, 2005). "MYMP shifts gear with three new CDs". Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  64. ↑ "Music - Reflections by Peter White". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  65. ↑ "Reflections: Peter White". Amazon.com (UK). Amazon Inc. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  66. ↑ "You Are My Lady: Kim Waters". Amazon.com. (UK) Amazon Inc. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  67. ↑ "Martin: The Closer I Get to You Episode Summary". TV.com. October 6, 1994. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  68. ↑ Gibron, Bill (August 18, 2007). "Rush Hour 3". PopMatters. Retrieved August 16, 2013.

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