The Closer I Get to You

Infobox Single
Name = The Closer I Get to You


Artist = Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
from Album = Blue Lights in the Basement
B-side = "Love is the Healing"
Released = February, 1978
Format = 7" single
Genre = R&B
Length = 4:41
Label = Atlantic
Writer = Reggie Lucas
James Mtume
Producer = Joe Ferla
Roberta Flack
Eugene McDaniels
Certification = Gold
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Roberta Flack
Type = singles
Last single = "When It's Over"
(1978)
This single = "The Closer I Get to You"
(1978)
Next single = "You Are Everything"
(1978)
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Donny Hathaway
Type = singles
Last single = "Come Little Children"
(1974)
This single = "The Closer I Get to You"
(1978)
Next single = "You Were Meant for Me"
(1978)

"The Closer I Get to You" is a classic ballad originally performed in 1978 by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. The song was written by keyboardist James Mtume and guitarist Reggie Lucas, two former members of Miles Davis' band who were members of Flack's band at the time. Released from Flack's album, "Blue Lights in the Basement", it became a major crossover hit. It spent two weeks at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart in April, 1978, and also peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It was eventually certified gold. It is one of the most familiar of all their duets.

Chart positions

Cover versions

There have been numerous cover versions of this song, most notably in 2003 by Luther Vandross and Beyoncé. It appeared on both Vandross' final album "Dance with My Father" and Beyoncé's solo debut "Dangerously in Love", and won a Grammy Award in 2004 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

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.

External links