Close to You (Maxi Priest song) explained

Close to You
Cover:Close_to_you_song.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Maxi Priest
Album:Bonafide
Released:1990
Genre:
Label:Charisma
Prev Title:Goodbye to Love Again
Prev Year:1988
Next Title:Peace Throughout the World
Next Year:1990

"Close to You" is a song by English reggae singer Maxi Priest. It was released in 1990 as the lead single from his fifth album Bonafide (1990). "Close to You" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, and number seven on the UK Singles Chart.

Critical reception

Ron Wynn from AllMusic said the song "is more pop/R&B with a reggae touch than it is real reggae."[1] A reviewer from Music & Media commented, "After a tougher than normal start, this song quickly becomes another Maxi Priest single like all the others. Nice melody and well sung."[2] David Giles from Music Week wrote, "A discernible step in the soul direction from the reggae maestro. Though the emphasis is still firmly on melody and honeyed vocals, the rhythm leans dancefloor-wards. Very commercial."[3] Troy L. Smith of cleveland.com called it "the mellowest new jack swing song you'll ever hear",[4] while Tom Breihan of Stereogum classified it as dance-pop.[5]

Music videos

The music video features Priest singing while the background features people in Egypt. There is also a second version, which takes place inside of a soundstage. The song was also featured in the film Sleeping with the Enemy.[6]

Track listings

7-inch single & Cassette single

  1. "Close to You" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
  2. "I Know Love" featuring Tiger – 4:07

12-inch maxi-single

  1. "Close to You" (Phil Bodger Main Body Mix) – 5:28
  2. "Close to You" (Leo Grant Bad-Ass Mix) – 6:00
  3. "Close to You" (Leo Grant Acappella & Drum Mix) – 5:56
  4. "Close to You" (Phil Bodger Radio Mix) – 3:59
  5. "Close to You" (Phil Chill's Rap Sensation) – 6:08
  6. "Close to You" (Bodger's bonus beats) – 4:03
  7. "I Know Love" – 4:07

CD maxi-single

  1. "Close to You"
  2. "Close to You" (Extended Version)
  3. "I Know Love"
  4. "Close to You" (Phil Chill's Rap Sensation Mix featuring Darren Deere)

CD maxi-single – Remixes

  1. "Close to You" (Phill Chill's Rap Sensation) – 6:08
  2. "Close to You" (Bodger's Radio Edit) – 4:06
  3. "I Know Love" (Steven Stanley Jamaican Mix) – 5:06
  4. "Sure Fire Love" – 3:55

12-inch maxi-single – Remixes

  1. "Close to You" (Phill Chill's Rap Sensation) – 6:08
  2. "Close to You" (Bodger's Radio Edit) – 4:06
  3. "I Know Love" (Steven Stanley Jamaican Mix) – 5:06
  4. "Sure Fire Love" – 3:57

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1990)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 18
Greece (IFPI)[8] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 1
US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)[10] 9
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[11] 15
US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[12] 12
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[13] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (1990)Position
Australia (ARIA)[14] 36
Belgium (Ultratop)[15] 93
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[16] 67
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[17] 18
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[18] 38
Germany (Official German Charts)[19] 29
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] 20
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] 55
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[22] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[23] 17
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[24] 30

Cover versions

In 2003, trance act Origene covered the song. In 2004, American boy band B3 covered the song on their album Living for the Weekend, which also features Maxi Priest on backing vocals. In 2006, Puerto Rican reggaeton group Pachanga covered the song on their album Recontra locos latinos and released it as their second single. In the same year, Dutch singer Jay Delano of hip hop duo R'n'G fame covered the song and released it as his debut solo single of his debut solo album Close to You, released in 2007. In 2014, US group the Uptown Band released a contemporary jazz version of the song which appears on the group's full-length CD Heart, Soul, Body & Mind.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ron . Wynn . Maxi Priest – Bonafide . . 4 November 2020 .
  2. Previews: Singles . . 23 June 1990 . 16 . 3 November 2020 .
  3. David . Giles . Singles . . 26 May 1990 . 21 . 30 October 2020 .
  4. News: Troy L. . Smith . Every No. 1 song of the 1990s ranked from worst to best . . 21 October 2020 . 29 January 2023.
  5. Web site: Tom . Breihan . The Number Ones: Maxi Priest’s “Close To You. . October 6, 2021 . December 9, 2023.
  6. Web site: Sleeping with the Enemy Soundtracks . IMDb.com.
  7. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 7. 40. 11. 6 October 1990. 3 March 2020.
  8. Top 3 Singles in Europe. Music & Media. 7. 39. VII. 29 October 1990. 22 March 2018.
  9. Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. 6 October 1990. 8 September 2023.
  10. Dance Singles Sales. Billboard. 20 October 1990. subscription. 8 September 2023.
  11. Adult Contemporary. Billboard. 3 November 1990. subscription. 8 September 2023.
  12. Dance Club Songs. Billboard. 8 September 1990. subscription. 8 September 2023.
  13. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. 20 October 1990. subscription. 8 September 2023.
  14. Web site: 1990 ARIA Singles Chart. ARIA. 13 July 2020.
  15. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1990. Ultratop. nl. 13 July 2020.
  16. Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 3 March 2020.
  17. Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1990. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 3 March 2020.
  18. Eurochart Hot 100 of 1990. Music & Media. World Radio History. 7. 51. 60. 22 December 1990. 29800226. 15 January 2020.
  19. Web site: Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1990. GfK Entertainment. de. 18 March 2021.
  20. Web site: Single top 100 over 1990. Top40. nl. 12 April 2010.
  21. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990. MegaCharts. nl. 13 July 2020.
  22. Web site: End of Year Charts 1990. Recorded Music NZ. 3 March 2020.
  23. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 1990. 15 September 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090706053853/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1990. 6 July 2009.
  24. Web site: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1990. Billboard. 21 February 2021.