Close to Me

Lore & Background

In the lore of The Cure's discography, "Close to Me" stands as a pivotal moment where the band's darker post-punk roots began to merge with a more accessible pop sensibility. The song's lyrics, with lines about being 'close to me' and 'never get too close,' reflect Robert Smith's fascination with the tension between desire and fear in relationships. This duality is a recurring theme in The Cure's work, from *Pornography*'s despair to *Disintegration*'s grandeur, and "Close to Me" distills it into a three-minute gem.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell in sheets as the wardrobe door creaked open, revealing a world submerged in blue. Inside, the band floated, instruments drifting like seaweed, their faces calm yet urgent. Robert's voice echoed through the water, a whisper of longing that seemed to bubble up from the deep. Outside, the world was dry and distant, but here, in this liquid space, they were close—too close, perhaps—to something that felt like truth.

Reader's Guide

"Close to Me" is a masterclass in lyrical economy, with Robert Smith's words painting a picture of emotional proximity that is both comforting and claustrophobic. The song's musical innovation lies in its use of a catchy, syncopated piano riff and a driving bassline that propels the track forward, while the chorus erupts with a burst of horns and layered vocals. The music video, directed by Tim Pope, is legendary for its surreal underwater imagery, with the band performing inside a wardrobe that slowly fills with water—a metaphor for the song's themes of drowning in closeness. As a fan favorite, it remains a staple of live performances, often eliciting sing-alongs and a sense of shared intimacy. The B-sides, including "The Upstairs Room," offer deeper cuts that explore similar emotional territory, making the single a cohesive artistic statement.

Did You Know?

• The music video for 'Close to Me' was shot in multiple takes, and the band was not actually submerged in water inside the wardrobe.
• The song's distinctive piano riff was played by Robert Smith on a toy piano.
• The B-side 'The Upstairs Room' features a rare instrumental section with a clarinet solo played by Ron Howe.
• The single's cover art was designed by Parched Art, featuring a simple but iconic image of a wardrobe.