from CLOSER (20TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION)
Written by Lara Fabian & Walter Afanasieff
Josh Groban is a international superstar singer, songwriter, musician and producer.
Groban’s sophomore cd, Closer, was originally released in November 2003. Produced mostly by Groban’s mentor, David Foster, Closer was a #1 smash hit and eventually sold over 6 millions copies in the US alone. The inspirational hymn, “You Raise Me Up,” was the first single off this album. It became a huge adult contemporary hit and was a trademark song for Groban with hundreds of subsequent covers.
A new version of Closer was recently released to celebrate itself album’s 20th anniversary. The 2-cd set presented the fully remastered original record plus six rare or previously unreleased bonus tracks. The most interesting moment of this batch of songs is a new rendition of “Broken Vow.”
Originally recorded in 1999 by Belgian/Canadian superstar Lara Fabian, she co-wrote “Broken Vow” with great songwriter/producer Walter Afanasieff. Afanasieff, who also produced Fabian’s original also collaborated with Foster on Groban’s rendition. William Ross, another music giant, wrote the magnificent orchestral arrangement and also co-produced “Broken Vow.” The newly-recorded, acoustic version of “Broken Vow” presented on Closer (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) features Groban accompanied by Foster on piano. Their individual performances are a work of beauty and combined give the song a wonderful, intimate feel. This track was recorded during a session for a Closer 20th Anniversary documentary soon to be released, featuring Groban and Foster reminiscing about the making of the album.
Foster sent us a few words about this recent experience:
“It’s always great to reconnect with Josh socially or musically. He has made some fantastic career choices in his life. ‘Broken Wow’ is a song that I have always loved. It was written by my friend Walter Afanasieff and Lara Fabian and it has always been one of my favorite songs. I love Walter’s gorgeous, Russian-inspired melody and Josh always sings it so beautifully. It was really nice to rework it, after all these years, so stripped down, just him and myself on piano.”
- Lead Vocals: Josh Groban
- Acoustic Piano: David Foster
Lyrics
Tell me his name
I want to know
The way he looks
And where you go
I need to see his face
I need to understand
Why you and I came to an end
Tell me again
I want to hear
Who broke my faith in all these years
Who lays with you at night
When I’m here all alone
Remembering when I was your own
I’ll let you go
I’ll let you fly
Why do I keep on asking why
I’ll let you go
Now that I found
A way to keep somehow
More than a broken vow
Tell me the words I never said
Show me the tears you never shed
Give me the touch
That one you promised to be mine
Or has it vanished for all time
I’ll let you go
I’ll let you fly
Why do I keep on asking why
I’ll let you go
Now that I found
A way to keep somehow
More than a broken vow
I close my eyes
And dream of you and I
And then I realize
There’s more to life than only bitterness and lies
I close my eyes
I’d give away my soul
To hold you once again
And never let this promise end
I’ll let you go
I’ll let you fly
Why do I keep on asking why
I’ll let you go
Now that I found
A way to keep somehow
More than a broken vow