Wolf didn't get her recording career going until the mid-'70s, by which time she was well into her thirties. Prior to emerging as a solo artist, she had headed the band Wildwood Flower (who backed her on her first two albums), and organized folk concerts and festivals in Northern California. Very much a self-starter, her first two albums were released on her own Owl label; thereafter, her catalog was handled by Kaleidoscope.
Over the next few years, Wolf built a strong following on the folk circuit with a series of fairly similar but remarkably consistent albums. Her recordings always benefited from first-rate instrumental support from various small bands; guitarist Nina Gerber was her most important associate in this regard.
She was still at her peak when her life was tragically cut short by leukemia in 1986.
The Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival has been celebrating her music for many years now in northern California.
Close To You
Kate Wolf Lyrics
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It reminds me of a happy child
It makes me feel a little less alone
I miss you when you're gone
The hours they stretch on and on
Like water dripping slowly on a stone
You're such a mystery the way you look at me
Did it take you by surprise when you realized
That you loved me though you've never told me so?
You know I want to say so many things to you today
But you've got me feeling like I'm flying blind
I think if you were here, the words would ring crystal clear
From this heart that's learning how to speak its mind
You fight for truth with love
You're an iron hand in a velvet glove
It's the kind of strength that makes a gentle man
But I'm a child of the wind
I've been blown away but I'm back again
I just don't know if you really understand
Sunlight moves across the floor
There's a soft breeze through the open door
A sleepy cat lying on the windowsill
On this lazy afternoon like honey on a silver spoon
The memory of your smile is with me still
Don't tell me that it's wrong to say I love you with a song
When the words won't come, I've seen you do it too
This road winds along, one day we'll be gone
But I'll have this song to bring me close to you
I'll have this song to bring me close to you
The song ‘Close To You’ by Kate Wolf is a beautiful love song that expresses the singer’s feelings for their lover. The song begins with the singer admiring their lover's smile that reminds them of a happy child and makes them feel less alone. The second verse speaks of the mystery of the lover's gaze that seems to be shining from a place the singer cannot go. The irony of the situation is that the lover loves the singer, but has not told them so. The singer wants to say a lot of things to their lover but feels like they are flying blind. The singer thinks that if the lover were there, the words would ring crystal clear from their heart.
The third verse compares the lover's strength to that of an iron hand in a velvet glove, and the singer thinks of themselves as a child of the wind blown away but back again. They are not sure if the lover understands them. The fourth verse talks about a lazy afternoon with the sun moving across the floor, a soft breeze through the open door, and a sleepy cat sitting on the windowsill. The memory of the lover's smile is still with the singer even though they are not there. The final verse talks about how the singer wants to express their love for the lover, but when the words won't come, they will have this song that will bring them close to the lover.
The song is a reflection of the intimacy and emotional connection between two people in love. The singer's words express the beauty of the lovers and the depth of the emotions they feel for each other. The song is well-written and shows us that love is not just about physical attraction or romantic gestures, but it is also about learning to communicate your emotions and being vulnerable with the person you love.
Line by Line Meaning
I like the way you smile
I enjoy the pleasant expression on your face
It reminds me of a happy child
Your smile brings to mind the joy and innocence of childhood
It makes me feel a little less alone
Seeing your smile helps me feel less lonely
I miss you when you're gone
I feel a longing for your presence when you are not here with me
The hours they stretch on and on
Time seems to move slowly when you are away
Like water dripping slowly on a stone
Time feels like it is passing at a slow and steady pace
You're such a mystery the way you look at me
The look in your eyes contains an inexplicable intrigue
With that light that shines from some place I can't go
There is a radiance emanating from you that I cannot access or understand
Did it take you by surprise when you realized
Were you shocked when you came to the realization
That you loved me though you've never told me so?
That your feelings for me were strong despite never having verbalized them?
You know I want to say so many things to you today
I have many thoughts and emotions I wish to express to you
But you've got me feeling like I'm flying blind
However, I feel uncertain and directionless in my attempts to communicate with you
I think if you were here, the words would ring crystal clear
If you were present, I believe my message would be perfectly clear
From this heart that's learning how to speak its mind
My heart struggles to express itself clearly as it is still learning to communicate
You fight for truth with love
You uphold your beliefs through a foundation of love and compassion
You're an iron hand in a velvet glove
You possess a strong and determined nature while maintaining softness and gentleness
It's the kind of strength that makes a gentle man
You embody the qualities of a strong yet gentle man
But I'm a child of the wind
I am someone who is easily swayed by the winds of life
I've been blown away but I'm back again
I have faced challenges and obstacles but have managed to endure and survive
I just don't know if you really understand
I am unsure if you truly comprehend my struggles and experiences
Sunlight moves across the floor
Light from the sun is travelling across the surface of the floor
There's a soft breeze through the open door
A gentle wind is moving through an open doorway
A sleepy cat lying on the windowsill
A lethargic feline resting on the windowsill
On this lazy afternoon like honey on a silver spoon
On this relaxed afternoon that feels luxurious and special
The memory of your smile is with me still
I can recall the image of your smile in my mind
Don't tell me that it's wrong to say I love you with a song
Do not criticize me for expressing my love through music
When the words won't come, I've seen you do it too
When it is difficult to find the right words, I have observed you express yourself through song
This road winds along, one day we'll be gone
Life is a journey with an uncertain destination, and one day we will pass away
But I'll have this song to bring me close to you
But I will always have this song as a way to feel connected to you
Writer(s): Kate Wolf Copyright: Another Sundown Publishing Company
Contributed by Charlie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.