Close to You was originally written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach for Rich Chamberlain in '63 (it's really a beautiful song!!) . The Carpenters' studio version popped off in 1970, then Stevie performed a jazzier version which, imo, i love the way it sways . Jacob's 2014 cover and Frank's 2016 cover was influenced by Stevie. (Not to mention Frank is known for making soulful covers of well known songs - aka his Nostalgia Ultra mixtape). then Ariana sampled Frank's cover. Hard to believe this is just a fraction of it, there's like 20 other versions/ covers over the last 60 years! Music is a crazy thing.
HOLY SHIT! thank you so much for this! I had no idea the carpenters version wasn't the original! this makes so much more sense!! and the history /development of the song is exactly what I was hoping for when I clicked on this video, thank you for all of this! weird that the original version wasn't included in this video
Thanks for the context.. In my humble opinion Stevie took it to another level, the whole talk box performance (because he also covers "never can say goodbye") is LEGENDARY.
If anyone’s wondering... Frank only SAMPLED stevie’s (notice the voice is similar, and it’s not in any way close to the original in terms of lyrics and vibe) Ariana COVERED frank’s (it’s completely the same) yall are just overreacting 🥴 its not that deep really
Every variation of this song, my ex and I would always send each other and reference these songs Bc it was our song. Mainly frank ocean and the carpenters version. It’s kind of eerie that in the break up stage, the lyrics of frank oceans song meant so much more and became relatable in the end. It’s kind of ironic. I wish I could hear these songs without feeling so much hate and pain. Bc this is truly a beautiful wonderful song about love.
Stevie Wonder has the best version hands down The magic brought by his voice and the talkbox is so wonderful And let's not talk about the transition with Never Can Say Goodbye which is phenomenal
Everyone’s hating on Ariana’s version 😭 chile she just covered frank’s version (which is so far from the original by the carpenters) and used it as interlude in her concert. It’s not an official release or supposed to be unique or different 😭 calm down
Frank's Live Version of Close To you is absolutely phenomenal. I prefer it than the original that's not taking away anything but his and Steve rendition was such heartbreaking and when Frank sings something it makes me wanna cry everytime.
It's like every iteration of this song gets more ornate and deconstructed until you get to Jacob's increasingly odd and intricate ideas on the "Close to you" vamp at the end. Every version of this song is so beloved though, truly an amazing and timeless composition.
Really surprised how people unappreciate Frank's version...I think many people neglect him for his use of "industrial autotune". But people, just listen to the whole Blonde album. It's really on a different level from Ari's or Jacob's
stevie's and frank's will always hold an equal place in my heart. Stevie's is more lighthearted and jovial but cuts just as deep. And Franks's voice being used for that absolute blessing of a melody against that atmospheric backdrop, just transports me into another dimesion
Araina's version and the art fit very well as both of them are stencil copies with minor changes. Every other version had an authentic feeling to the artist but hers felt like a rip off.
@@terkukurpikat If that's the case, then I take it back. I did speak with the assumption of the cover being an official release. I am not a listener of Araina, but I understand it was not fair of me to compare.
Best versions in order include The Carpenters, Stevie, and Frank. Nothing can top The Carpenters for me The way Karen sings it is so emotional. Stevie adds a lot of flare to it but also makes it emotional. And of course Frank does too. I think Ariana and Jacob’s are too gentrified for me and happy sounding, the song too me is an emotional one and it loses the vulnerability of it.
@@gabrielcastaneda704 zero. you don't know what soul sounds like lmfao she is singing all softly and completely butchered the rhythm and melody of the words in the name of making it poppy. the only pop artist to make soul poppy was amy whinehouse. her take was not soulful.
I didn’t like franks too too much but then Ariana came on and I was like EWWW I’m glad it came back to Jacob’s pretty version that isn’t auto tuned haha
Frank's version was Fantastic lmao. Also it's not an autotune in his version, It's just a sample of Stevie singing in a talkbox or something. Can't you tell the difference?
Stevie wounders' cover is great (that talk box just has great texture) Jacob colliers' cover is nice and calming and that bass is great the carpenters, it's good but feels bland in comparison to the others Frank Ocean & Ariana Grande, your trying to hard, and it weirdly doesn't flow well
@@hasenzarroug7586 Frank and Ariana completely forego instruments in favor of HEAVY HEAVY electronic production. It’s all done on a computer and they write their own sub par lyrics on top of it... It’s hard to enjoy compared to Stevie and Jacob..for me anyways. A cover should blend the original with your own style. Not just steal the melody and write a whole new song with it. Again just my opinion as a musician and avid fan of the oldies.
@@charliekowittmusic Stevies version was also electronic arguably. The fact that you put Arian's and Franks's cover in the same category is crazy to me. In terms of a cover reflecting a style, I agree. It was a stylistic choice on Frank's part to have the electronic elements and Arianna just covered that instead of approaching the original in her own authentic way. I also think you are discounting electronics as not being instruments which they are. You can not like them and it's fine but you can not say they "forego instruments" acting like it doesn't take skill.
@@charliekowittmusic >sub-par lyrics >everything done on a computer you do realize the original song has very simple lyrics, right? like they're not complex because they don't need to be. id love to know why you think his version has "sub par lyric." and just because it's mostly done on a computer it should NOT take away from their musicianship. as a proclaimed musician, you of all people should know that music comes from the heart no matter what medium it's expressed in and diluting someone's work because it's done on the computer makes you seen pretentious. it just sounds like you don't like Frank and Ariana and are tearing them down musically for no reason
@@reaIGarfield Sure.. let me take these point by point then. 1.) Lyrics. The carpenters were amazing. This song captures the mood and feeling of a VERY specific story. The lyrics are very clear: You’re that one in a million, special beautiful person, and even the stars in the sky are affected.” I can’t for the life of me figure out what Frank is going for here..something bad happened but he doesn’t know what and he’s getting older... something about hands under the jets?? What the hell is he even talking about? Can YOU tell me, since you’re so keen on defending them? 2.) Song Structure. Chords and melodies compliment the theme and intention of the song. You don’t want to use an incredibly original and revolutionary melody which is obviously happy, and then turn the lyrics into something vague and sad. It doesn’t make narrative sense. 3.) As a musician who plays several instruments and uses electronics in his recordings, I wasn’t so much talking about that as a general rule. It’s just that.. do you think Ariana was in her home studio playing melodies and experimenting with sounds and rhythms? No. Some millionaire producer did it all on his fancy computer. Then he sent it to Ariana to either write lyrics or just sing the lyrics they wrote for her. Just my personal opinion: That corporatist approach to music is what it is. But NOT when covering The Carpenter’s or The Beatles or something... it’s just wrong/dissonant to any of us who didn’t grow up exclusively listening to 21st Century Pop. 4.) As for my personal feelings, you’re mistaken. I am lukewarm and neither love or dislike Frank. And I’m a HUGE Ariana fan. I think her vocals are the most revolutionary in top-40 pop for a decade+ at least.
Close to You was originally written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach for Rich Chamberlain in '63 (it's really a beautiful song!!) . The Carpenters' studio version popped off in 1970, then Stevie performed a jazzier version which, imo, i love the way it sways . Jacob's 2014 cover and Frank's 2016 cover was influenced by Stevie. (Not to mention Frank is known for making soulful covers of well known songs - aka his Nostalgia Ultra mixtape). then Ariana sampled Frank's cover. Hard to believe this is just a fraction of it, there's like 20 other versions/ covers over the last 60 years! Music is a crazy thing.
I love this context!! Pinning this
@@creezhan ahh yes love music history! thank u for making this video!
HOLY SHIT! thank you so much for this! I had no idea the carpenters version wasn't the original! this makes so much more sense!! and the history /development of the song is exactly what I was hoping for when I clicked on this video, thank you for all of this! weird that the original version wasn't included in this video
Thanks for the context.. In my humble opinion Stevie took it to another level, the whole talk box performance (because he also covers "never can say goodbye") is LEGENDARY.
@@dannf3736 facts
stevie wonder hands down the most influential artist in r&b/soul history.
I love Stevie but I think that title goes to James Brown
EASILY
@@gabrielespinoza5269 he’s a close second I think he influenced hip hop more than anything
Yes he is
If anyone’s wondering...
Frank only SAMPLED stevie’s (notice the voice is similar, and it’s not in any way close to the original in terms of lyrics and vibe)
Ariana COVERED frank’s (it’s completely the same)
yall are just overreacting 🥴 its not that deep really
bro they’re all covers lmao
where did frank sample stevie?
@@jordan_private very end of the song, and I think some of the beat but not sure
I mean... the harmony and melody is the same, he just changed the lyrics.
@@jordan_private in the beginning as well
frank’s version is just 🤌🏾🤌🏾
I love franks, makes me feel so much
Every variation of this song, my ex and I would always send each other and reference these songs Bc it was our song. Mainly frank ocean and the carpenters version. It’s kind of eerie that in the break up stage, the lyrics of frank oceans song meant so much more and became relatable in the end. It’s kind of ironic. I wish I could hear these songs without feeling so much hate and pain. Bc this is truly a beautiful wonderful song about love.
Cringe
@@RunescapeWhack i agree i was simpin mad hard
man
im crying now
Damn
Stevie is changing the time he sings the words (unfortunately they cut in the best part) and that is the touch of a musician genius
Stevie Wonder has the best version hands down
The magic brought by his voice and the talkbox is so wonderful
And let's not talk about the transition with Never Can Say Goodbye which is phenomenal
Stevie and Jacob just hit different 🔥
Beautiful artworks to illustrate btw
Stevie Wonders rendition was just genius
Jacob Collier is LEGENDARY
Damn I wish someone would do a mashup of all these versions
I got you. I’ll check back in when i finish it.
@@jazzyboyem7b569 any luck? :)
@@danielremian give me some time my man. i’m def getting it done.
@@jazzyboyem7b569 awesome, take your time. Just checking :)
@@jazzyboyem7b569 I would love to hear it too
The wicked thing is that if Jacob was JUST a drummer you’d have to learn his name, but then you hear that harmony.
Everyone’s hating on Ariana’s version 😭 chile she just covered frank’s version (which is so far from the original by the carpenters) and used it as interlude in her concert. It’s not an official release or supposed to be unique or different 😭 calm down
Yeah.
Carpenters are not the original
Frank's Live Version of Close To you is absolutely phenomenal. I prefer it than the original that's not taking away anything but his and Steve rendition was such heartbreaking and when Frank sings something it makes me wanna cry everytime.
i really liked The Carpenters version. I'd never heard it until now, it's beautiful.
It's like every iteration of this song gets more ornate and deconstructed until you get to Jacob's increasingly odd and intricate ideas on the "Close to you" vamp at the end. Every version of this song is so beloved though, truly an amazing and timeless composition.
i feel like stevie wonder must be in love with jacob
actually probably the other way around lmao
Stevie is also influenced by Isaac Hayes's cover in 1971.
ARIANA HAS TO BE THE BIGGEST FRANK FAN EVER I SWEAR
Lyric for lyrics
What!!! I love the Carpenter’s version of this song ❤️ Had no idea there were other originals & spin-offs.
Thanks for doing this! Kinda disappointed it’s not a video actually discussing the evolution of the song tho...
Why don’t you make a video like that?
Yup, it was cute but a bit clickbait-y.
@@AlonsoMonteroHow is it clickbait at all? It shows the evolution of the song
Love the aesthetic of this video
godiana
Really surprised how people unappreciate Frank's version...I think many people neglect him for his use of "industrial autotune".
But people, just listen to the whole Blonde album. It's really on a different level from Ari's or Jacob's
stevie's and frank's will always hold an equal place in my heart. Stevie's is more lighthearted and jovial but cuts just as deep. And Franks's voice being used for that absolute blessing of a melody against that atmospheric backdrop, just transports me into another dimesion
The algorithm will bless you
Also beautiful illustrations
All are so damn beautiful I remember when Ari first showed her’s at her tour
I really wanna hear a joji take on this
Araina's version and the art fit very well as both of them are stencil copies with minor changes. Every other version had an authentic feeling to the artist but hers felt like a rip off.
@@terkukurpikat If that's the case, then I take it back. I did speak with the assumption of the cover being an official release. I am not a listener of Araina, but I understand it was not fair of me to compare.
@@hasenzarroug7586 she used it as a concert interlude, it wasn’t officially released anywhere
That was shady omfg 💀💀
Sinatra version isn't here ...that's strange
Frank Ocean, really got me somethings
im sure this video will hit over a million views
🤞🤞🤞
i love love love love this
Stevie is on my heart
very angry you got to do this when i was going to attempt my own version of this
This is so cool well done
i love you frankie wankie
Thx for uploading! If you have time come check out my music videos - I'm an electronic/indie artist and think you may dig my sound. Appreciate it.
Best versions in order include The Carpenters, Stevie, and Frank. Nothing can top The Carpenters for me The way Karen sings it is so emotional. Stevie adds a lot of flare to it but also makes it emotional. And of course Frank does too. I think Ariana and Jacob’s are too gentrified for me and happy sounding, the song too me is an emotional one and it loses the vulnerability of it.
i love Frank and Ariana but Jacob’s cover was before both of their respective versions
this is wonderful, thank you for sharing:)
arianas cover hits different
it sounds like utter shit there is no soul in her singing
@@mxkhxi yes there is lmao
@@gabrielcastaneda704 zero. you don't know what soul sounds like lmfao she is singing all softly and completely butchered the rhythm and melody of the words in the name of making it poppy. the only pop artist to make soul poppy was amy whinehouse. her take was not soulful.
Frank and Stevie the real winners
her’s was personally my least favorite
What a fine work
That bassline on jacobs tho
What about The Cranberries?
Carpenters are still the greatest
hahaha, this is amazing
I love this video so much omg
Jacob Collier !!
versions of these belong to you
Check out the Dells version, extremely slept on
❤️
this is homer & marges song idc
Burt Bacharach
Where is the potsu version
🖤😭
potsu
W
Ariana has de worst version tbh
She literally covered Frank’s….
@@liamyeshua yeah and still managed to make it sound bad
@@nicholassanchezart she didn’t but ok you’re entitled to your own opinion
I do think it's the weakest of the bunch, But no way bad
wengie
Jesus Christ arianas version is bad
Frank is very good tho
@@wendelhaha1 Jacob Collier :D
it was only as an interlude for her concert
tasteless
@@wendelhaha1 Ariana literally covered Frank’s are y’all mental or what??
I didn’t like franks too too much but then Ariana came on and I was like EWWW I’m glad it came back to Jacob’s pretty version that isn’t auto tuned haha
do u know that frank’s version was inspired by stevie wonders. and ariana just covered frank’s. all three are the same, pls stfu.
if you dont have taste then leave
@@daypu6768 I didn’t know that thanks for the info! :)
tasteless
Frank's version was Fantastic lmao. Also it's not an autotune in his version, It's just a sample of Stevie singing in a talkbox or something. Can't you tell the difference?
Stevie wounders' cover is great (that talk box just has great texture)
Jacob colliers' cover is nice and calming and that bass is great
the carpenters, it's good but feels bland in comparison to the others
Frank Ocean & Ariana Grande, your trying to hard, and it weirdly doesn't flow well
I understand this is your opinion but how can you say Steve's has texture and not awe at the complexity of Frank's version?
@@hasenzarroug7586 Frank and Ariana completely forego instruments in favor of HEAVY HEAVY electronic production. It’s all done on a computer and they write their own sub par lyrics on top of it...
It’s hard to enjoy compared to Stevie and Jacob..for me anyways. A cover should blend the original with your own style. Not just steal the melody and write a whole new song with it.
Again just my opinion as a musician and avid fan of the oldies.
@@charliekowittmusic Stevies version was also electronic arguably. The fact that you put Arian's and Franks's cover in the same category is crazy to me. In terms of a cover reflecting a style, I agree. It was a stylistic choice on Frank's part to have the electronic elements and Arianna just covered that instead of approaching the original in her own authentic way.
I also think you are discounting electronics as not being instruments which they are. You can not like them and it's fine but you can not say they "forego instruments" acting like it doesn't take skill.
@@charliekowittmusic >sub-par lyrics
>everything done on a computer
you do realize the original song has very simple lyrics, right? like they're not complex because they don't need to be. id love to know why you think his version has "sub par lyric." and just because it's mostly done on a computer it should NOT take away from their musicianship. as a proclaimed musician, you of all people should know that music comes from the heart no matter what medium it's expressed in and diluting someone's work because it's done on the computer makes you seen pretentious. it just sounds like you don't like Frank and Ariana and are tearing them down musically for no reason
@@reaIGarfield Sure.. let me take these point by point then.
1.) Lyrics. The carpenters were amazing. This song captures the mood and feeling of a VERY specific story. The lyrics are very clear: You’re that one in a million, special beautiful person, and even the stars in the sky are affected.”
I can’t for the life of me figure out what Frank is going for here..something bad happened but he doesn’t know what and he’s getting older... something about hands under the jets??
What the hell is he even talking about?
Can YOU tell me, since you’re so keen on defending them?
2.) Song Structure. Chords and melodies compliment the theme and intention of the song. You don’t want to use an incredibly original and revolutionary melody which is obviously happy, and then turn the lyrics into something vague and sad. It doesn’t make narrative sense.
3.) As a musician who plays several instruments and uses electronics in his recordings, I wasn’t so much talking about that as a general rule.
It’s just that.. do you think Ariana was in her home studio playing melodies and experimenting with sounds and rhythms?
No. Some millionaire producer did it all on his fancy computer. Then he sent it to Ariana to either write lyrics or just sing the lyrics they wrote for her.
Just my personal opinion: That corporatist approach to music is what it is. But NOT when covering The Carpenter’s or The Beatles or something... it’s just wrong/dissonant to any of us who didn’t grow up exclusively listening to 21st Century Pop.
4.) As for my personal feelings, you’re mistaken. I am lukewarm and neither love or dislike Frank. And I’m a HUGE Ariana fan.
I think her vocals are the most revolutionary in top-40 pop for a decade+ at least.
Jacob's version literally the worst compared to the others 😐
Kind of