Move Closer Explained

Move Closer
Cover:	Phyllis Nelson Move Closer.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Phyllis Nelson
Album:	Move Closer
B-Side:	Somewhere in the City
Released:	28 January 1985
Written:	1984
Length:	5:54 (album version) 4:35 (single re-recording) 4:01 (radio version)
Label:	Carrere
Producer:	Yves Dessca
Prev Title:	Don't Stop the Train
Prev Year:	1981
Next Title:	I Don't Know
Next Year:	1985

"Move Closer" is a song by American singer-songwriter Phyllis Nelson that topped the UK Singles Chart in April 1985.

History

Nelson wrote the ballad in 1984. It was a complete departure from the type of music she had been recording; she had been recording dance and disco records, and decided to write her own record because, in her words, "not much music lets you dance close".^[1] The lyrics of "Move Closer" were based on a long-term love affair she had with a much younger man in Philadelphia, who was struggling to start his own computer business.

Chart performance

Although "Move Closer" failed to make an impact on the US Billboard Hot 100, the song was hugely successful in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart, making her the first black woman to top the charts in Britain with her own sole composition.^[2] The song was originally released in April 1984 but failed to chart, and was re-released in February 1985 after BBC Radio London started to play it. Move Closer also benefited from extensive airplay on the hugely successful offshore pirate station, Laser 558. The song began to climb the charts, taking 12 weeks to reach the top spot.^[3] "Move Closer" remained on the UK Singles Chart for just over five months during 1985, becoming Britain's seventh biggest-selling song of the year.^[4] and the 82nd highest selling single of the decade.^[5] In 1994, it was reissued and returned to the UK Singles Chart, this time peaking at number 34, on the back of it being featured in an anti-perspirant television commercial.^[3]

B-side

In the UK, on both the 7-inch and 12-inch formats, the B-side is "Somewhere in the City". Both versions contain the "New Mix" of "Move Closer" as an A-side, with the 7-inch version being an edit.^{[6] [7]}

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1985)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[8]	15
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[9]	42

Year-end charts

Chart (1985)	Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[10]	55
UK Singles (OCC)^[11]	7

Covers

• Marilyn Martin, on her eponymous debut album.
• The Bluetones, as a B-side to the single "Fast Boy/Liquid Lips". It was also included on the band's 2006 compilation album, .
• Tom Jones, (1989, No. 49 on the UK Singles Chart)^[3] on his album At This Moment.
• Sammi Cheng, Cantonese version (named "纏綿"), released in 1997.
• Upfront. (1990) One single release. Members Keith Lewis, Ronnie Lewis, lead singer Rachel.
• Hinda Hicks, on her debut album Hinda (1998).

Notes and References

1. One-Hit Wonders at the BBC. BBC Four. 17 April 2015.
2. Web site: Move Closer by Phyllis Nelson Songfacts . Songfacts.com . 25 March 2014.
3. Web site: Move Closer - Full Official Chart History. Official Charts Company. 19 January 2016.
4. Web site: 1980s Singles Chart Archive . everyHit.com . 25 March 2014.
5. Web site: Official Biggest Selling Singles of The '80s . Buzzjack.com . 25 March 2014.
6. Move Closer. Phyllis Nelson. 1985. UK 7-inch single sleeve. Carrere Records. CAR 337.
7. Move Closer. Phyllis Nelson. 1985. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Carrere Records. CART 337.
8. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6.
9. European Hot 100 Singles. Eurotipsheet. 2. 16. 8. 22 April 1985.
10. Web site: Kent Music Report No 599 – 30 December 1985 > National Top 100 Singles for 1985. Kent Music Report. Imgur. 23 January 2023.
11. Top 100 Singles. Music Week. London, England. 10. 18 January 1986.