The Closer I Get to You

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"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"
ReleasedFebruary 1978
Recorded1977
GenreSoul, R&B
Length4:41
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Roberta Flack singles chronology
"25th of Last December"
(1977) 		"The Closer I Get to You"
(1978) 		"If Ever I See You Again"
(1978)
Donny Hathaway singles 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 singer-songwriter Roberta Flack and soul musician Donny Hathaway. The song was written by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas, two former members of Miles Davis's 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 behind Yvonne Elliman's "If I Can't Have You" and Wings' "With a Little Luck". 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 in May 1978, and became one of their most familiar duets.

At the 21st Annual Grammy Awards given in 1979, Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway were nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus with the award going to the Bee Gees for their work in the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Flack and Hathaway had won the same award six years before for Where is the Love.

Background and composition[edit]

"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, Flack (as Rubina Flake) and Gene McDaniels produced the track, with Ahmet Ertegun serving as executive producer.[2] Flack and Donny Hathaway, good friends while attending Howard University, had 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]

Roberta Flack, one of the members of the touring band in 1976

"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] who, following Hathaway's death, would tell Jet magazine:

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]

In fact Hathaway's suffering had made it impossible for him to travel from Chicago to New York City to join Flack in the studio to record "The Closer I Get to You": Flack recorded her part of the song with a session singer as a stopgap duet partner, the track being sent to Chicago for Hathaway to add his vocal and then back to New York City for its final mixing.[7]

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.[8] "The Closer I Get to You" was released as a 7-inch single with "Love is the Healing" as its B-side.[9]

Reception[edit]

Critical reception and accolades[edit]

Critics described "The Closer I Get to You" as Flack at the top of her form.[10] 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.[11] Alan Light of Vibe magazine characterized it as intimate and effortless as an overheard conversation.[12] Author of 1001 Ways to Be Romantic, Gregory J. P. Godek, included the song in a list of "Best Love Song Duets".[13] A writer of Jet magazine described the song as a "pop-soul classic".[14] Carolyn Quick Tillery, author of Celebrating Our Equality, described the song as a lasting musical legacy.[15] Devon Jarvis of Women's Health included Flack and Hathaway's version of "The Closer I Get to You" in "Favorite Karaoke Duets".[16] While opening the "R&B Vault", Gail Mitchell of Billboard praised the song as a 1970s-era classic.[17] 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."[18] Lewis Dene of BBC described "The Closer I Get to You" as a "soul masterpiece".[19] Both Hathaway and Flack were nominated for a Grammy Award for their duet.[20]

Chart performance[edit]

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.[21]

Music video[edit]

A music video for "The Closer I Get to You" was shot and directed by Roberta Flack herself.[22] 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.[23]

Charts and certifications[edit]

Luther Vandross and Beyoncé version[edit]

"The Closer I Get to You"
Single by Luther Vandross and Beyoncé
from the album Dance with My Father and Dangerously in Love
ReleasedJune 13, 2004
Studio
Genre
Length6:25 (Dance with My Father version)
4:57 (Dangerously in Love version)
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Nat Adderley Jr.
Luther Vandross singles chronology
"Buy Me a Rose"
(2004) 		"The Closer I Get to You"
(2004) 		"Shine"
(2006)
Beyoncé singles chronology
"Naughty Girl"
(2004) 		"The Closer I Get to You"
(2004) 		"Wishing on a Star"
(2005)
Licensed audio
"The Closer I Get to You" on YouTube

Luther Vandross and Beyoncé's 2003 cover version of the song appeared on both Vandross's final album Dance with My Father and Beyoncé's solo debut Dangerously in Love. Their version was recorded at The Hit Factory and the Right Track Studios, in New York City.[31] It follows a tempo of 98 beats per minute, slightly faster than the original version. The track was included on the soundtrack of the brazilian telenovela Celebridade. It is set in the key of E♭ major, and follows the chord progression Gm7–Cm7–E♭maj9–A♭.[32] It was serviced to US urban contemporary and urban adult contemporary radio on June 13, 2004.[33][34]

Reception[edit]

Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called the song "dated" and wrote that it felt out of place on Dangerously in Love.[35] Erika Ramirez of Billboard magazine also noted that "While the singer holds her own alongside the legend, the quiet storm duet feels out of place considering the electrifying feel of majority of the album."[36] Neil Drumming of Entertainment Weekly said: "A remake of 'The Closer I Get to You' with Luther Vandross also sounds, sadly, a little dated."[37] Spence D. of IGN 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."[38] 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."[39]

Jason King of Vibe magazine wrote that Beyoncé had some "cojones" to follow up a Jay-Z duet with a Luther Vandross duet on the album's track-listing.[40] 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."[41] 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.[19] 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 Beyoncé's vocals contained a "real sweetness and innocence".[42] Pamelia S. Phillips, the author of Singing for Dummies, credited Beyoncé's vocal performance on "The Closer I Get to You" as one of her best.[43] Mark Anthony Neal of PopMatters gave Beyoncé and Vandross "vocal props" for their performance in the "quiet storm", but described the overall performance as flat.[44] During the 46th Annual 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.[45]

Beyoncé 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,[46] and on August 7 it peaked at number 62.[47] The track spent a total of twenty weeks on the chart.[48] 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.[49]

Formats and track listings[edit]

  • US promotional CD single[50]
  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[edit]

Credits taken from Dangerously in Love liner notes.[31]

Other versions[edit]

"The Closer I Get To You" has been covered many times. Among the more notable versions are the following:

In 1990, Toshinobu Kubota and Lynn Davis performed a live duet rendition of the song.[51]

Fourplay's cover of the song was described as an "undistinguished version" of the original song by AllMusic's Steven McDonald.[52]

In 2005, Nina Girado covered the song with Thor for her album live album Nina Live!.[53] A writer of The Philippine Star noted that Thor "matches Nina note for note on their duet".[54] Girado's version of the song won in the category for Best Duet Award at the Awit Awards in 2006.[55]

It was covered by Filipino acoustic band MYMP on their 2005 album Versions, with lyrics separately sung by Chin Alcantara and Juris Fernandez.[56]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Hogan, Ed. "The Closer I Get to You". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on December 11, 2011. 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.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ Easlea, Daryl (2011). "Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway Review". BBC Music. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d "The 40 Biggest Duets Of All Time". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. February 14, 2011. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. 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.[page needed]
  6. ^ a b "The Two Sides of Roberta Flack". Jet. Vol. 57, no. 11. Johnson Publishing Company. November 29, 1979. p. 45. ISSN 0021-5996.
  7. ^ "Interview: Roberta Flack - 1beat.de". Archived from the original on 2018-09-18. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  8. ^ "Roberta Flack 'The Closer I Get To You" Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. 6 March 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  9. ^ The Closer I Get to You (US 7-inch vinyl). Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway. Atlantic Records. 1978. ASIN B000P93VQQ.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Carney Smith, Jessy (1996). Notable Black American Women. Vol. 2. Gale Research Inc. p. 226. ISBN 0-8103-9177-5.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Light, Alan (November 2006). "By All Means Necessary - Essential Donny Hathaway". Vibe. Vibe Media. p. 162. ISSN 1070-4701.
  13. ^ J.P. Godek, Gregory (2000). 1001 Ways to Be Romantic. Sourcebooks, Inc. p. 174. ISBN 1-57071-481-9.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ Quick Tillery, Carolyn (2003). Celebrating Our Equality: A Cookbook With Recipes and Remembrances from Howard University. Kensington Books. ISBN 0806525088.
  16. ^ Jarvis, Devon (May 2007). "Our Favorite Karaoke Duets". Women's Health. Rodale, Inc. p. 61. ISSN 0884-7355.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ Elias, Jason. "Blue Lights in the Basement: Roberta Flack". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  19. ^ a b "Music - Review of Beyoncé - Dangerously In Love". BBC Online. BBC. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  20. ^ Michael Cheers, D. (April 1979). "The Mysterious Death of Donny Hathaway". Ebony. Vol. 34, no. 6. Johnson Publishing Company. p. 62.
  21. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 92.
  22. ^ "Videos : Roberta Flack : The Closer I Get To You". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  23. ^ "The Closer I Get to You - Roberta Flack - Music Videos". MTV. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  24. ^ "Top Singles - Volume 29, No. 8, May 20, 1978". RPM. RPM Publishing Inc. Archived from the original on June 24, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  25. ^ "Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - The Closer I Get to You". New Zealand Singles Chart. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on May 20, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  26. ^ a b "Song artist 409 - Roberta Flack". Tsort.info. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  27. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 206.
  28. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  29. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1978/Top 100 Songs of 1978". Musicoutfitters.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  30. ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1978". Archived from the original on 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  31. ^ a b c Dangerously in Love (Media notes). Sony Music BMG Entertainment. 2003.
  32. ^ "The Closer I Get to You sheet music (Digital Download)". Musicnotes.com. Scarab Publishing Corporation. 14 June 2004. Archived from the original on 16 August 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  33. ^ "R&R Going for Adds: Urban". Radio & Records. June 13, 2004. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  34. ^ "R&R Going for Adds: Urban". Radio & Records. June 13, 2004. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  35. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (June 21, 2003). "Beyoncé Dangerously in Love". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on June 18, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  36. ^ Ramirez, Erika (June 22, 2013). "Beyonce, 'Dangerously In Love': Classic Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  37. ^ Drumming, Neil (June 27, 2003). "Dangerously in Love (2003)". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on August 13, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  38. ^ D., Spence (September 3, 2003). "Dangerously In Love - Beyoncé's solo debut is a mixed bag of contemporary R&B". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  39. ^ DeCurtis, Anthony (July 10, 2003). "Album Reviews: Dangerously in Love". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  40. ^ King, Jason (August 2003). "Beyoncé - Dangerously in Love (Columbia)". Vibe. Vibe Media. p. 150. ISSN 1070-4701.
  41. ^ Fitzpatrick, Rob (July 2, 2003). "Album Reviews - Beyonce : Dangerously In Love". NME. IPC Media. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  42. ^ Coplan, Chris; Bosman, Chris (June 22, 2013). "Dusting 'Em Off: Beyoncé – Dangerously in Love". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  43. ^ Phillips, Pamelia S. (2010). Singing For Dummies. Vol. 2. John Wiley & Sons. p. 284. ISBN 978-0470640203.
  44. ^ Anthony, Mark. "Beyoncé: Dangerously in Love". PopMatters. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  45. ^ Joseph Patel (February 9, 2004). "Beyonce Wins Most, Outkast Shine, 50 Cent Shut Out At Grammys". MTV News (Viacom). Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  46. ^ "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.
  47. ^ "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.
  48. ^ "Luther Vandross". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  49. ^ "Luther Vandross". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  50. ^ "Beyonce Knowles The Closer I Get To You USA Promo CD single (CD5 / 5") (326185)". eil.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  51. ^ "久保田利伸&Lynn Davis～THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU～". Youtube. Archived from the original on 2016-03-08. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  52. ^ "Elixir - Fourplay". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  53. ^ "Live: Nina: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Amazon Inc. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  54. ^ "Reader a victim of 'idea piracy'". The Philippine Star. Vol. 20, no. 97. PhilStar Daily, Inc. March 15, 2005. p. 32.
  55. ^ "Something different from Nina". Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. June 24, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  56. ^ Villagomez, Kaye (March 6, 2005). "MYMP shifts gear with three new CDs". Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. Retrieved July 8, 2012.

External links[edit]

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