from THE CLOSEST THING TO HEAVEN (single)
Written by Diane Warren
When you find a song written by the hit-making pen of Diane Warren, crafted by super-producer David Foster and delivered by the legendary voice of Lionel Richie, good chances are that you are thrown into an elegant adult contemporary heaven. This was the case with “The Closest Thing To Heaven,” a sweet ballad included on the former Commodores singer’s 1998 cd “Time.” “The Closest Thing To Heaven” was a love song that reaffirmed Warren ’s uncommon ability to pair a gorgeous, catchy melody with an irresistible hook that was stuck in your mind the moment you hear it for the first time.
As usual, Foster added his superior musical artistry to increase the level of catchiness with his superb arrangement of acoustic and electric guitars, minimal keyboards and synths. For the occasion, Foster’s usual high-tech production is a bit more restrained with amazing results. The icing on the cake was Richie’s warm baritone slowly dancing on top of Foster’s instrumental background. The singer was second to none when it came to serenading listeners with his familiar voice and he delivered another killer performance. Cool vocal harmonies are a pleasure to the ear and provided with the support of Jeff Pescetto’s smooth tenor voice. The overall result wasn’t far from the successful acoustic soul productions of Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds , another R&B superstar that was crafting around that same time. “The Closest Thing To Heaven” was released as the final single from “Time.” Although it had radio-friendly potential, “The Closest Thing To Heaven” never bloomed into a hit.
“Time” also included “I Hear Your Voice,” a great co-write by Foster, Warren and Richie that was an adult contemporary hit single that year. Previously reviewed, you can read all about “I Hear Your Voice” here.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/the_closest_thing_to_heaven.mp3|titles=The Closest Thing To Heaven|artists=Lionel Richie]
Lead Vocals: Lionel Richie
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitars: Dean Parks & Michael Thompson
Synthesizers Programming: Felipe Elgueta
Drum Programming: Guy Roche
Backing Vocals: Jeff Pescetto
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Lyrics
An angels kiss is the kiss you gave to me
An angels touch, has touched my heart
Your love is something, thats truly heavenly
Heaven is here in your arms
I couldn’t sleep at night and then you embraced my life
With your sweet, sexy ways, oh, now I can’t even think
What my life would be, to be without you even one day
You’re the closest thing to heaven in my world
Never take this heaven from my arms
Don’t take your love from me or you’ll take everything
You’re the closest thing to heaven that I’ve ever seen
You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are
My happiness is just being next to you
Your tenderness has touched my soul
Never knew someone had so much love for me
I’m never letting you
I thought no one could care, you answered all my prayers
With your sweet, sexy ways, oh, you made my life complete
When you made love to me thats why, I love you more everyday
You’re the closest thing to heaven in my world
Never take this heaven from my arms
Don’t take your love from me or you’ll take everything
You’re the closest thing to heaven that I’ve ever seen
You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are
You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are
The one love, I need in my life
The one touch, I need in night
You’re the answer to all of my prayers
Promise me you’ll always be there
You’re the closest thing to heaven in my world
Never take this heaven from my arms
Don’t take your love from me or you’ll take everything
You’re the closest thing to heaven that I’ve ever seen
You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are
You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are