the carpenters, “(they long to be) close to you”
from: Close to You, 1970
“Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold
And starlight in your eyes of blue
That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold
And starlight in your eyes of blue
That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
Wa, close to you
Wa, close to you
Ha, close to you
La, close to you
”
Even a song approaching perfection may come up the hard way. Burt Bacharach and Hal David co-wrote “They Long to Be Close to You” in ‘63 followed by disappointing recordings by Richard Chamberlain and Dionne Warwick in ’63 and Dusty Springfield in ’64.
The Carpenter’s recording of the song, renamed “(They Long to Be) Close to You”, arrived May 14, 1970, immediately becoming a chart topping smash. Although Karen possessed credible percussion chops, the novelty was abandoned on this recording in favor of The Wrecking Crew with Hal Blaine on drums and Karen featured on lead and backing vocals. Karen’s brother Richard, the pop duo’s keyboardist, refined the arrangement with Bacharach resulting in the aforementioned approach towards perfection, and possibly (I’d like to think) leaving Bacharach weeping in the studio.
From the standpoint of a boy or man craving attention from the opposite sex, the lyrics ARE perfection. (Or whatever comes after that.) An uncontrollable, magnetic attraction to be close. No discussion of kissing, hugging or holding hands. The feeling of being desired may be better than being loved. And given the complexity of the word love, it’s a hell of a lot more fun.
-Steve Hart-
Bacharach & David