This brief track follows the “Facebook Story” told by French producer SebastiAn, whose ex-lover longed to be close to them, albeit through electronic means. The irony is that SebastiAn’s vision for connecting with his partner was precisely antithetical to the technological connection his partner sought.
From his 2019 GQ interview:
”I was living in a hotel, and I remember listening to it and being really nailed to the floor by Stevie Wonder’s interpretation of it. That version moved into my favorite-songs-of-all-time list, right there with Prince’s “When You Were Mine.” I don’t know what creates that feeling of “I have to sing this song.”
Frank appears to be using the “Prisimizer” effect, developed by Francis and the Lights and heard on “Summer Friends” and “All We Got” from Chance The Rapper’s Coloring Book.
Francis confirmed this on Twitter:
”The effect builds a choral harmonization around the vocal track to make it sound like layered vocals. You can see it being used live by Francis and the Lights.” Frank sampled a remix of “Close to You” by The Carpenters. This remix was made by Stevie Wonder and titled “Talkbox Medley (Close To You / Never Can Say)”.
Close to You
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you could've held my hands through this, baby
Let my mind run underneath warm jets
I run my hands through what's left
But we're getting older, baby
Don't have much longer, baby
Why am I preaching
To this choir, to this atheist?
After a while
They're keeping me close to you
(Just like me, they long to be)
(Close to you)
In Frank Ocean's song "Close to You," the artist sings about a relationship that has come to an end. The lyrics in the opening lines suggest that the breakup wasn't earth-shattering for him, but he wishes that his former lover had offered him some comfort during this transitional period. The artist then goes on to describe sitting in a shower, allowing his thoughts to drift away as he physically washes over his emotions.
As the song continues, Frank Ocean's tone turns more introspective. He recognizes that he and his lover are growing older and don't have much time left to spend together. His question of "why am I preaching to this choir, to this atheist" highlights his frustration with trying to communicate his feelings to someone who doesn't believe or see things the same way he does. However, just as the opening lines suggest, he realizes that he can't control how his lover perceives things, and so he finds comfort in the idea that they both have versions of each other that will always remain. In the end, he is left with a longing to be close to his partner, no matter how things have ended or how different their perspectives may be.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be honest, I wasn't devastated
Being frank, the singer was not completely devastated by the recent event
But you could've held my hands through this, baby
The singer wished that his partner was there for him to comfort and support him
Let my mind run underneath warm jets
The singer is seeking solace through a warm shower that helps his mind to relax and wander
I run my hands through what's left
The singer is feeling the remains of what was once a close relationship with his partner
But we're getting older, baby
As time passes, both the singer and his partner are aging
Don't have much longer, baby
The singer realizes that the time they have left together is limited
Why am I preaching to this choir, to this atheist?
The singer is questioning why he is speaking to someone who either already agrees with him or someone who does not believe in his beliefs
Just like mine, versions of these belong to you
Similar thoughts and feelings also belong to his partner
After a while, they're keeping me close to you
Over time, these shared experiences and emotions are making him feel closer to his partner
(Just like me, they long to be)
These shared experiences and emotions are similar to what his partner feels
(Close to you)
The singer wants to be close to his partner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Burt F. Bacharach, Christopher Breaux, Hal David, Josiah Sherman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justsharing7268
[Verse]
I'll be honest, I wasn't devastated
But you could've held my hands through this, baby
Let my mind run underneath warm jets
I run my hands through what's left
But we're getting older, baby
Don’t have much longer baby
Why am I preaching?
To this choir, to this atheist
Just like mine, versions of these belong to you
After a while, they're keeping me close to you
(Just like me, they long to be close to you)
@trentgreymtn1820
I truly wish this song was longer, it's so good
@jordinstephens9355
Trent Greymtn Stevie wonder - Close To You
@slyskyspysty
It is, it's called close to you. It's the actual song he slaughtered.
@christianneds1646
Sly I like both versions. I’ll be honest I wasn’t devastated when I heard this version. Both are good.
@peloponeso8468
Trent Greymtn no
@nickhorn8296
Jordin Stephens carpenters - close to you
@nootnoot9810
I'll be honest, I wasn't devastated But you could've held my hands through this, baby Let my mind run underneath warm jets I run my hands through what's left But we're getting older, baby Don’t have much longer baby Why am I preaching? To this choir, to this atheist Just like mine, versions of these belong to you After a while They're keeping me close to you (Just like me, they long to be Close to you)
@callmegoofyduck3742
Thank you so much noot noot
@tainonaiboa8289
noot noot love the Melodrama profile pic
@morgboat744
noot noot nice profile pic