The Wallflowers – Closer To You

General CommentI love how sweet and haunting the sound of this song is, both at the same time. To me, it depicts love as border-line obsession very effectively. The lyrics in the verses paint a very bare picture, the attention to detail that comes with loneliness. The real puzzler is the last line, "and just remember that when you were asleep I got a little bit closer to you...". It sounds like he took advantage of her, which doesn't sit well with me. But it could also be that he's implying he knows she dreams about him, and so she'll have to do something about it someday. Either way, a great song off a great album.

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  @davidecoyote
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  @davidecoyote No, it doesnt mean he took advantage of her. Sleep here represents night, night represents the passing of another day which means its a day less that they're gonna apart from each other.

  Flag boypluon August 23, 2015  

General CommentIt may be about a long distance kind of thing.

"How long an hour can take", implies he's waiting for something (for when he can see her...).

"I can always hear you breathe", when he can't talk to or see her, he can still remember the sound of her breathing.

"When you were asleep I got a little bit closer to you", while she was sleeping, another day passed, thus he was closer to seeing her again.

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  @heidi effin fleiss

General CommentThis is a fascinating song, and I think an argument can be made for both interpretations above. But here's my take:

I think it's about the hardships of being a musician on the road, away from your loved ones. Imagine yourself on tour, traveling from city to city. With each concert done, that's one step closer to getting home. Every day that goes by brings him a little bit closer to the one he loves so much.

Also, I think it's easy to assume that the "you" pronoun is a lover, but it could just as easily be a child - especially considering the nostalgiac tone of the last two stanzas.

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  @therealsvenden

General CommentI don't know, to me it means like something that unfortunately is happening to me. it's like when you're in love with someone and you really don't know if that person loves you back, but you start to realize everything you do you do it for that person, and everytime you think, you think of that person and so and so, and you keep on hoping that someday you'll make him/her love you, so he/she becomes your reason for living.

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  @maitrzeznik

General Commenti think that Jakob dylan is great. love the wallflowers. He sounds much like bob, but with a less haunting voice. love both father and son though.
this song is brilliant. the 1st time me and my boyfriend kissed (( and then on to making out lolol)) this song was on. beautiful.

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  @peace999

General CommentI see the song as Dylan writing a letter to an old flame -- possibly someone that passed away. He's thinking to himself how quickly memories fade away as they're replaced by new ones

"How soft a whisper can get
When you're walking through a
crowded space"

But he's not concerned about being forgotten; he's worried that he'll forget about her. He wants her to know that despite them not being together for whatever reason, he always holds a place in his heart for her.

"When I feel I'm slipping further
away
I remember that everyday
I get a little bit closer to you

These are the days
That I won't get back
I won't hear you cry
Or hear you laugh
And when it's quiet
And i don't hear a thing
I can always hear you breathe "

When Dylan says he's "getting closer to you" I don't think he means physically or even emotionally closer to the person. The relationship is over. He just feels nostalgic, kind of like when given enough time, you only remember the good thinigs about a person; not the little things that drove you crazy.

In the last verse, Dylan sounds apologetic. He wants her to remember that on the coldest night (possibly her darkest hour) he was right by her side, whether she knew it or not.

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  @razzor7

General Commenti think its about a person who died and everyday he is getting closer to them because someday he will be their in heaven too because each day he is getting closer to death

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  @sofarfromhere

General Commentand to add when he says "I remember that everyday
I get a little bit closer to you" hes getting closer to the day he dies and can finally see her again

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  @sofarfromhere

General CommentSuch an amazing song...it is haunting, and almost diturbing, but i love it. To me its kinda like still loving someone who doesn't love you anymore, but you just think if i get closer they'll love me again...so sad, but so sweet all at the same time.

"I'm sorry too
But don't give up on me"

I love that part...its like saying i know i messed up but just give me another chance and i'll make it right.

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  @music*ismyboyfriend

General CommentI've got to go with the people who say this says alot about unrequited love... And also follow the tone of those who say that it has such a captivating but haunting tone to it. But that is what makes it so amazing... The depth of the lyrics that allow for such a variety of interpretations is also a marvel... Wonderful.

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  @insomniac328