Closer than Close (Rosie Gaines song)

After her solo debut in 1985, recording/performing with The Curtis Ohlson Band from 1987 to 1989 and doing other projects, singer Rosie Gaines joined Prince & The New Power Generation. She continued afterwards as a solo artist and session singer.

In 1995, Gaines released the album, Closer than Close. The album's title track was remixed and released as a single in 1997. "Closer Than Close" was highly successful in the United Kingdom, reaching number 4 in the UK Singles Chart.[1] On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song reached number 14 in June 1997. It also peaked at number 11 in Ireland, number 23 in Iceland and number 36 in New Zealand. The song was produced by DJ Hippie Torrales and Mark Mendoza and has sold over 8 million units worldwide.[2] "Closer Than Close" went on to become a huge club favorite and earned Gaines a MOBO Award for Best International Single at the ’97 Awards show beating off the likes of P Diddy, previously known as Puff Daddy, R. Kelly and Tina Moore. A music video was made to accompany the song. It features Gaines performing the song in a club.

The Daily Telegraph ranked "Closer Than Close" at number 38 in their Top 50 Dance Songs list in 2015.[3]

In 2017, Dave Fawbert from ShortList described the song as a "eternal banger".[4]

In 2019, Mixmag listed the track in their two lists, 20 best diva house tracks[5] and 40 best UK garage tracks released from 1995 to 2005. They wrote:

This is one of the most memorable vocal dance tracks out there, impressing with its bouncy style and smile-evoking vigour. The way Gaines sings “closer than you ever can imagine uuuuus” is just so saucy, and primed for a catchy sing-a-long. It became a smash hit on the UK dance & underground charts when the remix was released, catapulting garage house to the mainstream. This track has longevity in clubs and is still routinely played in living room afters across the country as the sun’s coming through the curtains.[6]