1.) The Channels form… Read Full Bio ↴Two bands have gone by the name The Channels.
1.) The Channels formed in 1955 around the singers Larry Hampden, Billy Morris, and Edward Doulphin; they started as a quintet with two additional part-time members, but soon after they permanently added Earl Michael Lewis and Clifton Wright, formerly of The Lotharios. Lewis was the group's main songwriter, writing (among others) their regional hit "The Closer You Are".
The Channels recorded for record labels Gone, Fury, Port, Hit, Enjoy, and Groove. The lineup changed several times over the course of the band's lifetime. They enjoyed significant regional success on the East Coast but never charted a major nationwide hit
2.) The Channels are an indie pop band from Cambridge Massachusetts. Their work is cheery and thoughtful with catchy, creative, relatable lyrics, inspired by early sixties pop songs and garage rock.
The Closer You Are
The Channels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It doesn't matter anymore
What you wanna be
This life's within us
It's all within us
So you gotta know
It's who you are
It doesn't matter anymore
This life's within us
It's all within us
Right time moving
forward
You gotta take
One step back
So that you can see
Your full self
And know
The real the truth the being who you be
Gotta see
All of the gifts you have
The awakening, opening
It's all within you
Unfolding now and just believe and trust and know it is you
It's who you are
It doesn't matter anymore
What you wanna be
This life's within us
It's all within us
So you gotta know
It's who you are
It doesn't matter anymore
What you wanna say
This life's within us
It's all within us
Take one step
Forward
And believe the path that you're on
It's the
Right one for you
You can see your dreams are coming true
Get clear and take away any distractions in your way
So you can reach the point you're here to be and
Fulfill your destiny
It's who you are
It doesn't matter anymore
What you wanna be
This life's within us
It's all within us
So you gotta know
It's who you are
It doesn't matter anymore
What you wanna say
This life's within us
It's all within us
So you gotta know
So just take the next step and you'll know
Trust in the next right feeling
The inspiration comes when you
Slow down, and take a break and relax
Sometimes it can feel scary
To slow down and take a break
But you know inspiration strikes
When there's an open space
It's who you are
It doesn't matter anymore
What you wanna be
This life's within us
It's all within us
So you gotta know
It's who you are
It doesn't matter anymore
What you wanna say
This life's within us
It's all within us
So you gotta know
It's who you are
It doesn't matter anymore
What you wanna be
This life's within us
It's all within us
So you gotta know
It's who you are
It doesn't matter anymore
What you wanna say
This life's within us
This life is within us
The Channels' song "The Closer You Are" is a motivational track that encourages listeners to be true to themselves and trust their instincts. The lyrics emphasize the message that it's important to be authentic and focus on one's own personal growth, rather than seeking external validation or conforming to others' expectations.
The opening lines of the song, "It's who you are / It doesn't matter anymore / What you wanna be," suggest that the singer is urging the listener to let go of any preconceived notions about who they should be or what they should do, and instead focus on their inner passions and talents. The lines "This life's within us / It's all within us" reinforce this idea that we all contain the potential for greatness within us, and it's up to us to tap into it.
The chorus repeats the message that "It's who you are / It doesn't matter anymore / What you wanna say / This life's within us / It's all within us," driving home the point that self-expression and self-discovery are essential to living a fulfilling life. The song encourages listeners to trust the journey and take one step at a time, even if there are setbacks or challenges, in order to "fulfill your destiny."
Overall, "The Closer You Are" is a powerful anthem that reminds us to trust in our own capabilities and pursue our dreams with passion and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
It's who you are
Your true identity is inherent within you.
It doesn't matter anymore
Your past or external circumstances no longer define you.
What you wanna be
Your future is within your control.
This life's within us
The power to create and fulfill our lives resides within us.
It's all within us
We possess all the necessary tools and resources within ourselves.
So you gotta know
It's important to recognize and trust in our inner selves.
Right time moving forward
It's time to progress and move towards our goals.
You gotta take
You must take a deliberate and intentional action.
One step back
Sometimes we need to take a step back to gain perspective.
So that you can see
By taking a step back, we can see the bigger picture and our true selves.
Your full self
Our complete and authentic selves, including our gifts and true nature.
And know
We must acknowledge and believe in who we truly are.
The real the truth the being who you be
Our genuine selves, who we truly are at our core.
Gotta see
We must recognize and appreciate our unique talents and gifts.
All of the gifts you have
Our innate abilities and skills that make us who we are.
The awakening, opening
We must awaken to our true nature and be open to our potential.
Unfolding now and just believe and trust and know it is you
We must trust in ourselves and believe it is our time to shine.
Take one step
We must take action and move towards our goals.
And believe the path that you're on
We must have faith in the journey we are taking.
It's the Right one for you
Our unique path in life is the right one for us.
You can see your dreams are coming true
We can recognize and acknowledge our progress towards our goals and dreams.
Get clear and take away any distractions in your way
We must eliminate any obstacles or distractions that hinder our progress.
So you can reach the point you're here to be and
We must reach our full potential and fulfill our purpose.
Fulfill your destiny
We must fulfill the purpose we were meant to achieve in life.
So just take the next step and you'll know
We must trust in ourselves and take action towards our goals.
Trust in the next right feeling
We must trust in our intuition and inner guidance towards our goals.
The inspiration comes when you
Inspiration comes to us when we make space for it.
Slow down, and take a break and relax
We must take time to rest and recharge in order to be open to inspiration.
Sometimes it can feel scary
Taking a break from our usual routine can be intimidating.
But you know inspiration strikes
We can trust that inspiration will come to us when we make space for it.
When there's an open space
We must create an open and receptive space in our lives for inspiration to come.
This life is within us
We are the creators of our own lives and have the power to shape our destinies.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Sarah Haykel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@undeadturret
Can we just all agree that this was one of the best harmonized doo wop songs of all time?
@colin6768
Agreed
@feliciabreedy104
My great uncle was in this group as well. He just passed June 2nd in his sleep. Rest Well Uncle Lawrence aka Larry.
@Kathleen5429
So sorry Felicia.
@jeanettea12345
He was a wonderful talent Felicia. This song brings tears to my eyes of memories from the 50s. I play this all the time. You gotta be proud young lady.
@jimgag2
Felicia Breedy He was a part of the greatest group ever. Although the Channels are passing away, we can enjoy their wonderful talents as long as we live.
@maryannmcrae6736
I am so sorry for your lost
REST IN PEACE
@tomrucco6490
He left behind his gift
@davidjames1858
Great to hear this version after listening to the Frank Zappa cover version for 40 years. He was a big doo wop fan!
@edhalloran6742
I'm 81 years old now. This along with two other songs were and continue to be my favorite doo top songs of all-time. Story Untold by Nutmegs and This Is Story by Gene and Eunice are the other two. I was 15 in 1955. These songs bring me right back to those golden times. Hope all the Channels are still living and happy.