Close to You (Maxi Priest song)
1990 song by Maxi Priest
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"Close to You" is a song by English reggae singer Maxi Priest, released in 1990 by 10 Records as the lead single from his fifth album, Bonafide (1990). It was written by Priest with Gary Benson and Winston Sela, and produced by Handel Tucker, Geoffrey Chung and Lowell "Sly" Dunbar. "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. Its accompanying music video was directed by Geoffrey Barish.
| "Close to You" | ||||
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| Single by Maxi Priest | ||||
| from the album Bonafide | ||||
| B-side |
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| Released | 1990 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | 10 | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Maxi Priest singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Close to You" on YouTube | ||||
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 for "Close to You", directed by Geoffrey Barish,[6] features Priest singing while the background features people in Egypt. There is also a second version, which takes place inside of a soundstage.
Track listings
- 7-inch single and cassette single
- "Close to You" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "I Know Love" featuring Tiger – 4:07
- 12-inch maxi-single
- "Close to You" (Phil Bodger Main Body Mix) – 5:28
- "Close to You" (Leo Grant Bad-Ass Mix) – 6:00
- "Close to You" (Leo Grant Acappella & Drum Mix) – 5:56
- "Close to You" (Phil Bodger Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "Close to You" (Phil Chill's Rap Sensation) – 6:08
- "Close to You" (Bodger's bonus beats) – 4:03
- "I Know Love" – 4:07
- CD maxi-single
- "Close to You"
- "Close to You" (Extended Version)
- "I Know Love"
- "Close to You" (Phil Chill's Rap Sensation Mix featuring Darren Deere)
- CD maxi-single – Remixes
- "Close to You" (Phill Chill's Rap Sensation) – 6:08
- "Close to You" (Bodger's Radio Edit) – 4:06
- "I Know Love" (Steven Stanley Jamaican Mix) – 5:06
- "Sure Fire Love" – 3:55
- 12-inch maxi-single – Remixes
- "Close to You" (Phill Chill's Rap Sensation) – 6:08
- "Close to You" (Bodger's Radio Edit) – 4:06
- "I Know Love" (Steven Stanley Jamaican Mix) – 5:06
- "Sure Fire Love" – 3:57
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[31] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[44] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| Sweden (GLF)[45] | Gold | 25,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[46] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[47] | Gold | 500,000^ |
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^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
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.