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"The Closer You Get" is a song written by J.P. Pennington and Mark Gray and recorded by American band Exile in 1981. The song was most notably covered by American country music band Alabama and released in April 1983 as the title track and second single from the album The Closer You Get....

About the song

"The Closer You Get" was written in 1980 by J.P. Pennington and Mark Gray, members of Exile. However, the song was not immediately recorded by Alabama. Two earlier versions were released as singles – the first by Exile (which failed to gain much attention) and singer Don King, whose version reached No. 27 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in October 1981. In addition, Rita Coolidge recorded the song for her 1981 album, Heartbreak Radio, and released her version as a single.

Alabama's version differed substantially from King's acoustic version. According to country music writer Tom Roland, the song featured "distorted guitars, a more elaborate arrangement and an altered vocal sound."

The end result was Alabama's tenth No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. In addition, "The Closer You Get" registered enough airplay on Top 40 radio stations to peak at No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A music video was filmed for the song, and has aired on CMT and Great American Country.

Cover versions

Country music band Eli Young Band covered the song from the Alabama & Friends album. Country music band Little Big Town covered the song from the television special CMT Giants: Alabama.

Single and album edits

The single version is a minute shorter than the original album version; the first verse and the second refrain is deleted from the single. The single edit is included on many of Alabama's compilation albums, including Greatest Hits Vol. II and For the Record.

Chart performance

Rita Coolidge

Don King

Alabama

Year-end charts

References

1. Patton, Alli (December 13, 2022). "10 Alabama Essentials". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
2. Roland, Tom, "The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits" (Billboard Books, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York, 1991 (ISBN 0-82-307553-2)), p. 349-350
3. Allmusic — Heartbreak Radio by Rita Coolidge
4. Roland.
5. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944–2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 18.
6. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 22.
7. "Rita Coolidge Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
8. "Don King Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
9. "Alabama Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
10. "Alabama Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
11. "Alabama Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
12. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 1983". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2021.

• 1981 singles
• 1983 singles
• 1981 songs
• Rita Coolidge songs
• Alabama (American band) songs
• Don King (musician) songs
• RPM Country Tracks number-one singles of the year
• Songs written by Mark Gray (singer)
• Songs written by J.P. Pennington
• Song recordings produced by Harold Shedd
• RCA Records Nashville singles