Early life
She was born in Montreal and reared in Vancouver, Canada, although some sources list her birthplace as Detroit, Michigan. As a teenager, Miquel frequented nightclubs, influencing her dream of becoming a performer. As a young woman, Miquel read Medicine at George Washington University in Washington D.C., during which time she married and had daughter Sinitta Renet Malone (popularly known as Sinitta, of 'So Macho' and 'Toy Boy' fame) in Seattle, Washington.
She was prompted to leave the university after she auditioned for the U.S. touring company of the musical Hair and landed the part of Sheila.
Miquel arrived in the UK in May of 1973, having divorced her husband. She was cast as the lead in Decameron '73 at the famous Roadhouse in London and through this earned critical acclaim - 'a star is born.' She was then given an interview on the Michael Parkinson Show, and later appeared in the pilot of The Sweeney with John Thaw.
In 1974 she was granted a part in the film Rollerball with James Caan, as well as the role of Miriam in the tele-play Regan. She also held a two year association with the singing and dancing group 'Second Generation', during which time she appeared in the BBC production of Armchair Theatre.
Through the next two years she performed various parts in Bubbling Brown Sugar and television appearances in Seaside Special, Supersonic, The Ronnie Corbett Show, Jack Parnell's Show, Vince Hill's Musical Time Machine and Bruce Forsyth's Bring on the Girls.
Music career
In 1976 she played Sister Anna in the musical Mardi Gras (which opened Thursday, March 18 at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London). It was through this that she was discovered and signed for her first record release, 'The First Time Around'. This led her to musician Alan Hawkshaw (of Emile Ford and the Checkmates, and The Shadows), who signed her for an album deal. The album 'Symphony of Love' (1978) was her first real international hit, which included the title track, 'Dancin' with the Lights Down Low', 'This is Something New to Me', 'The Day They Got Disco in Brazil', 'Do It' and 'Something Made of Love'. This album shot up the American charts to No. 26 (her music was very popular within the gay community), only to come down again in the early 1980s as disco 'died' (at least in America).
Also in 1978 she appeared in the American film Superman, as the non-speaking 8th reporter in a scene following the first Superman spotting.
In need of a producer in the early '80s, Miquel crossed the paths of Ian Levine and Fiachra Trench in 1983. Together with Record Shack Records, they created the album 'Manpower', a Hi-NRG classic. The first single released from the album' So Many Men, So Little Time' became a huge hit and peak at number #2 on the club charts and put Miquel on the international music map.
In the two years following Manpower, she appeared in stage productions of Only in America, the Lieber and Stoller Musical; The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and One Mo' Time, as well as in numerous international clubs but did not release any more albums until 1985. 'Close to Perfection' (also produced by Levine) was indeed a great album, but could not compete with her first success. The album featured two massive U.S. dance radio & dance chart hits, with "Black Leather" and "Close to Perfection."
Later songs include 'On the Radio' (not the Donna Summer song), 'Footprints in the Sand' and 'This Time It's Real', all with Nightmare Records (Ian Levine's own attempt at a record label).
In 1989 she was seen as Jill in the second episode of the fourth series ('Accidents Happen') of the British show Casualty.
The 1990s
Then in 1995, she starred as the Housekeeper in Solomon and Sheba, with Halle Berry. Also in 1995 she played Sgt. Patton in French Kiss, with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline (a mini-part in the United States Embassy scene). She can be heard on the London cast recordings of Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (1993) and Fame (1995) (as Miss Sherman, the English teacher).
The Year 2000 To Present
Brown kick off the new millennium playing the Negro Woman in the 2001 play A Streetcar Named Desire at the Royal National Theatre (Lyttelton), in London, directed by Trevor Nunn and starring Glenn Close as Blanche DuBois.
She also appeared in the brilliant 2001 film Wit, where she has a brief exchange with Emma Thompson (who plays Vivian Bearing), as the 2nd Technician.
In 2004, Brown appeared as Idella in the London production of Purlie at the Bridewell Theatre in London (a role originally played by Helen Martin, from the American sitcom 227). Her performance was critiqued as 'forcefully played'.
Miquel Brown: The Lady, Her Loves and Her Lord was presented at the Bullion Room Theatre in London in 2005. This one-person revue was said to be 'a musical journey through her life from birth to the present'.
In 2005, Miquel appeared as Chloe the old maid in An American Haunting with Sissy Spacek. As it like the novel of the same name, it is based on the account of the Bell Family, allegedly tormented by The Bell Witch of Red River, Tennessee. The following year, 2006, she co-starred along side Robert Ashe in the drama film 9/11: The Twin Towers.
In 2007 Brown is starring in the original London production of Menopause: The Musical.
Discography
Albums
* Symphony of Love 1978
* Manpower 1983
* Close to Perfection 1985
* The Best of Miquel Brown Hot Productions 1991
Singles
* "First Time Round"
* "Dancin' With the Lights Down Low"
* "This Is Something New to Me"
* "The Day They Got Disco In Brazil"
* "Do It"
* "Something Made to Love"
* "Beeline"
* "So Many Men, So Little Time"
* "He's A Saint, He's A Sinner"
* "Close to Perfection"
* "Black Leather"
* "On The Radio"
* "Footprints In The Sand"
* "This Time It's Real"
Close to Perfection
Miquel Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweeter than the honey from the bees
When you're not here, a song won't rhyme
And the birds won't sing in the trees
You can make the sun come out
Without you the sky is grey
And love and laughter is what you're about
Close to perfection
Close to perfection
We have reached a new direction
On our way to affection
Every day can fill like spring
'Cause you have the power to make me glow
Suddenly the bells start to ring
Life becomes a Broadway show
You make music fill the air
Like a symphony of love
I can see rainbows everywhere
Lighting up the sky above
Close to perfection
Close to perfection
We have reached a new direction
On our way to affection
There's a new excitement around
Every time I see you smile
An experience of silent sound
That's with me all the while
You have filled an empty space
Showing me that you care
It's a feeling I won't replace
A lifetime you and I can share
Close to perfection
Close to perfection
We have reached a new direction
On our way to affection
Close to perfection (Closer, closer to perfection)
Close to perfection
We have reached a new direction
On our way to affection
Close to perfection (Closer, closer to perfection)
Close to perfection
We have reached a new direction
On our way to affection
The lyrics to "Close to Perfection" by Miquel Brown are a tribute to the power of love, describing how the presence of the beloved can bring color, music, and joy to life. The singer is declaring her love for someone who completes her and makes everything better, from the weather to the way she feels. The image of bees and honey suggests a natural, enduring sweetness that will last through time, and the reference to song and birds emphasizes the importance of music and beauty in the natural world.
One of the most striking aspects of the song is its focus on sensory experience, as the singer portrays how her lover's presence changes the way she perceives the world around her. The sun comes out, the sky turns bright, and music fills the air, creating a sense of wonder and magic that transforms reality into a Broadway show. The idea of silent sound suggests that the singer is experiencing a kind of spiritual awakening or transcendence in her lover's presence, something that touches her soul and makes her feel alive.
Overall, "Close to Perfection" is a heartfelt expression of love that celebrates the transformative power of a relationship that brings joy, beauty, and meaning to life. Its message is simple and timeless: that true love is a force that can change the world, and that the union of two people in love is a source of infinite wonder and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Our love will stand the test of time
Our love is strong and durable and can withstand any challenges that come its way
Sweeter than the honey from the bees
Our love is sweet and enjoyable, just like the sweet nectar from bees
When you're not here, a song won't rhyme
Without you, everything seems incomplete and not as enjoyable
And the birds won't sing in the trees
Without you, the world seems less vibrant and lively
You can make the sun come out
You have the power to bring brightness and positivity to my life
Without you the sky is grey
Without you, everything seems dull and boring
And love and laughter is what you're about
You embody love and joy, and that's what makes you special
So don't you ever go away
Please always stay with me and never leave
Every day can fill like spring
With you, each day feels like a new beginning, fresh and exciting
'Cause you have the power to make me glow
You have the ability to fill me with warmth and happiness
Suddenly the bells start to ring
Being with you fills me with joy and happiness, making my heart sing
Life becomes a Broadway show
Life with you is grand and magical, like a grand production on a Broadway stage
You make music fill the air
Your presence fills the environment with a sweet melody, like a beautiful symphony
Like a symphony of love
Your love is like a beautiful symphony, complex and full of harmony
I can see rainbows everywhere
With you, everything seems more colorful and vibrant, like rainbows after a storm
Lighting up the sky above
Your love fills the world with light and positivity, brightening up the atmosphere
There's a new excitement around
Being with you brings a new level of excitement and energy to my life
Every time I see you smile
Your smile is infectious and fills me with joy and happiness
An experience of silent sound
Being around you is a unique experience that can only be felt, not described
That's with me all the while
The joy and happiness you bring stays with me constantly
You have filled an empty space
You have filled a void in my life that I didn't even know existed
Showing me that you care
Your actions have proven that you care for me deeply.
It's a feeling I won't replace
The feeling of being loved and cared for by you is irreplaceable
A lifetime you and I can share
We can spend our lives together, sharing love and happiness with each other
Close to perfection (Closer, closer to perfection)
Our love is almost perfect, and we are constantly striving to make it even better
We have reached a new direction
Our love has taken us on a new path, and we are excited to see where it leads
On our way to affection
We are journeying towards deeper love and affection for one another
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FIACHRA TRENCH, IAN LEVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ray Kalona
this song brings back a lot of memories,growing up in the 80's.one of my favorite songs of the 80's.
Alexander Domingo
Although its an old disco classic, its one of my favs even to this day with its style and elegance. Its an excitement eveytime I listen to me. Brings back memories of this very good music.
Jerry Patterson
Love this song. I still have the original LP and the LP with the extended version. Dance to this many times in the late 80's.
TinyMaths
This popped into my head this evening, like it has so many times over the decades. But, unlike before, I decided to do a YT search tonight. Listening to this brings back some sweet, sad nostalgia. Those times are gone. I was so young and green back then in my early teens when this first came out. Beautiful hearing this again.
Alexander Domingo
Close to pefection ... it really is ! Makes me sway & want to dance. Best of the oldies. Brings back memories of our young disco dancing age !
Terry Martin
Can't stop listening to this...80s disco memories...best time of my life! Gives lockdown good vibes...music is life! 2020
Jerry Davila
1985 LA. Such a classic song along with So Many Men So Little Time and Foot Prints in the Sand. Thank you Miguel Brown for all the memories.
David Trumper
This is a beautiful track. It's an Ian Levine production in his UK soul phase of writing in '85. The vinyl 12" has an ever so slightly longer fade out fading out to just congas. Hearing this today made me feel very happy. Thank you.
Tripp Dennis
@Jaxtyn Gregory I dunno I watch on Flixportal. You can find it through google :P -tripp
Jaxtyn Gregory
@Tripp Dennis Thank you, signed up and it seems to work :D I appreciate it!