Closer
Nathaniel Rateliff Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I was sick and lonely,
what can admit it's cold
Well I dreamed the sun was shining
as I walked the drifts of snow
Well don't let it pack
on our only love you know

Wishing it was summer
weather this slow pace
well come on stop crying;
and wipe the ice from your face.
I don't mind the freeze as long as you're hear to hold
This blanket of frost is going to melt, I know
We know there's some summer breeze
Watching over you and me
in our bitter leaves, we'll be covered

We're closer now,
we're closer now,
than we ever been

We're closer now,
we're closer now,
than we' ever been

Than we ever been
where the thaw began
Can I face the wind
That I'm standing in
Well if I had a guess, it could only get so cold
You can sleep on a bench but maybe your just too old

Well in our frozen slumber
its stillness and its grace
And I whispered of the spring
And the warmth upon your face
When it all starts to melt,
you forget of the ice and snow
When waters rise, they carry you some place warm
I forget our colder dreams, together
and in our summer breeze, we'll recover

We're closer now,
we're closer now,
than we ever been

We're closer now,
we're closer now,




than we ever been,
than we ever been

Overall Meaning

The song “Closer” by Nathaniel Rateliff is a beautiful ballad about love and hope during difficult times. The lyrics express the feelings of sickness, loneliness, and despair, but they also reveal a ray of hope through the metaphor of the thawing of winter and the coming of spring.


The first part of the song describes the emotional struggle of the singer, who is sick and lonely, and feels like he is walking through a cold and snowy landscape. However, he also dreams of sunshine and warmth, and he urges his beloved not to let the cold pack on their love but to hold onto it.


The second part of the song talks about the hope and warmth that the coming of summer brings. Even though the weather is slow and cold, the singer doesn’t mind as long as he is with his beloved. The metaphor of the blanket of frost melting is a powerful symbol of the two lovers’ hearts thawing and coming closer together. The reference to the “bitter leaves” may also suggest a turning point in their lives, where they can start anew.


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase “We're closer now, we're closer now, than we ever been”, which emphasizes the idea that despite the difficulties and the distance between them, the two lovers have grown closer to each other than ever before. The final verse expresses the singer’s determination to face the wind and brave the cold because he believes that the warmth of spring is coming soon. The song ends on an optimistic note, with the words “and in our summer breeze, we'll recover”, suggesting that the two lovers will overcome their troubles and find happiness together.


Line by Line Meaning

When I was sick and lonely,
During a time of sickness and isolation


what can admit it's cold
Acknowledging a harsh reality


Well I dreamed the sun was shining
Imagining a brighter future


as I walked the drifts of snow
Navigating obstacles and challenges


Well don't let it pack
Don't let obstacles build up and become burdensome


on our only love you know
Protecting and prioritizing one's relationship


Wishing it was summer
Longing for a time of warmth and happiness


weather this slow pace
Feeling stuck in a slow-moving situation


well come on stop crying;
Encouraging someone to remain optimistic


and wipe the ice from your face.
Removing the effects of harsh circumstances


I don't mind the freeze as long as you're here to hold
Enduring difficult times as long as one has support


This blanket of frost is going to melt, I know
Believing that difficult times will eventually come to an end


We know there's some summer breeze
Recognizing the presence of hope and positivity


Watching over you and me
Feeling protected and cared for


in our bitter leaves, we'll be covered
Finding comfort in difficult circumstances


We're closer now,
Feeling closer to something desired


we're closer now,
Repeated emphasis on getting closer to something desired


than we ever been
Achieving a new level of closeness


where the thaw began
Identifying the starting point of improvement


Can I face the wind
Questioning one's ability to handle challenges


That I'm standing in
Acknowledging the harsh reality that one is facing


Well if I had a guess, it could only get so cold
Recognizing that things could be worse


You can sleep on a bench but maybe your just too old
Realizing that some situations are too difficult to endure


Well in our frozen slumber
Being temporarily stuck in a difficult situation


its stillness and its grace
Finding beauty in a difficult situation


And I whispered of the spring
Looking forward to a time of renewal and growth


And the warmth upon your face
Anticipating a positive experience


When it all starts to melt,
Recognizing that change is inevitable


you forget of the ice and snow
Moving past difficult times


When waters rise, they carry you some place warm
Finding relief after a difficult time


I forget our colder dreams, together
Forgetting about past struggles together


and in our summer breeze, we'll recover
Finding renewal and growth in a positive time




Contributed by Brody C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

EdgeCrush10

Lyrics:

Nathaniel Rateliff - Closer Lyrics

Artist: Nathaniel Rateliff

Album: Closer EP

When I was sick and lonely,
what can admit it's cold
Well I dreamed the sun was shining
as I walked the drifts of snow
Well don't let it pack
on our only love you know

Wishing it was summer
weather this slow pace
well come on stop crying;
and wipe the ice from your face.
I don't mind the freeze as long as you're hear to hold
This blanket of frost is going to melt, I know
We know there's some summer breeze
Watching over you and me
in our bitter leaves, we'll be covered

We're closer now,
we're closer now,
than we ever been

We're closer now,
we're closer now,
than we' ever been

Than we ever been
where the thaw began
Can I face the wind
That I'm standing in
Well if I had a guess, it could only get so cold
You can sleep on a bench but maybe your just too old

Well in our frozen slumber
its stillness and its grace
And I whispered of the spring
And the warmth upon your face
When it all starts to melt,
you forget of the ice and snow
When waters rise, they carry you some place warm
I forget our colder dreams, together
and in our summer breeze, we'll recover

We're closer now,
we're closer now,
than we ever been

We're closer now,
we're closer now,
than we ever been,
than we ever been



All comments from YouTube:

Christopher Kairnes

This guy has Leon Russell, Van Morrison, Billy Joel, and Elton John infused in his blood and soul. Love it.

Melanie Hall

Love how S.O.B. brought me here to this!!! Outstanding talent! Patience, love and hard work will always bring you great fame!!! Love your voice <3

I Survived Just Just

Melanie Hall I waited a year to see them once I heard this guys lyrics and tunes. What a performance! I'VE GOT A PIECE OF TAMBOURINE AND THE SONG SHEET... I proved to myself if I REALLY want it I'll get there... my uncle flew up to surprise me from England. and I didn't care I went to the concert!! Nothing and nobody was gonny stop me... so glad I'm CLOSER NOW

Steve O

Mike B

Chasity Gaddy

I'm glad I found this band, this music. I've been so depressed lately. feeling lost, alone, standing looking for something someone to find me. The S.O.B song did. Thank you. Its one day at a time no more no less. :) thank you Nathaniel.

Daisy Q

Every day is a 🎁 Gift.

Brookstorm Honorblade

Hope you are feeling better Chasity. Try Paper Birds too. They opened for Nathaniel in Seattle and was quite an amazing find. And if you want something upbeat check out Kimbra- Miracle

hollyterrace8

Rateliff covering NIN could quite possibly be mind-blowing. This is, of course, absolutely chilling.

AmericangirlKim

I, too, am very happy to have found this band....put a lil fire back in my ole soul...thank you!!

Kelley Kell

I saw these guys last night at The Palace Theater in St. Paul. It was the best concert I have ever been to. I'll forever be obsessed - I've never been so moved by music. Such talent and emotion - I want to cry, laugh, shout - it's perfection. PLEASE NEVER STOP!!!

More Comments

More Versions