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Why do birds suddenly appear Every time you are near? Just like me, they long to be Close to you. Why do stars fall down from the sky Every time you walk by? Just like me, they long to be Close to you. On the day that you were born The angels got together And decided to create a dream come true So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold And starlight in your eyes of blue. That is why all the girls in town Follow you all around. Just like me, they long to be Close to you. On the day that you were born The angels got together And decided to create a dream come true So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold And starlight in your eyes of blue. That is why all the girls in town Follow you all around. Just like me, they long to be Close to you. Just like me (Just like me) They long to be Close to you. Wahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you. Wahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you. Hahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you. Lahhhhhhhhhhh, close to you.
In the months between the release of Ticket and the release of Close To You, the Carpenters were asked by Burt Bacharach to perform with him at a benefit performance for the Reiss-Davis Clinic. For the occasion, Burt asked Richard to arrange a medley of Bacharach songs. It was while Richard was selecting material for the medley that Herb Alpert suggested they include Close to You (at that time a little-known song). Upon hearing it Karen and Richard decided that although not right for the medley, the song would make a strong single. As fate would have it, they were playing the Westbury Music Fair in Long Island with Burt Bacharach on Memorial Day in 1970, two days after the single was released. In six weeks Close To You was No. 1 in the nation and in two months it became the Carpenters' first gold single. This single sold 1.8 million copies domestically making it their biggest seller.
In the notes to the Carpenters: The Compact Disc Collection, Richard Carpenter wrote:
Our debut single Ticket To Ride stayed on the charts for several months and ultimately peaked at 54. This showed some promise for us but did not move many Offering albums. Nevertheless, Herb continued to "keep the faith" and we started recording a second album. In late 1969 Burt Bacharach heard our version of Ticket To Ride.
This led to our being asked by Burt to open a benefit show he would be doing in February of 1970 and performing a medley of his songs. Herb brought an obscure Bacharach/David song to my attention during this time entitled They Long To Be Close To You. It didn't quite fit the medley but Herb felt we should include it in the new album. Close To You was released in late May of 1970 and within six weeks was Number one.
Here is an annimation posted to YouTube.
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