Released: 2013
“Closer” by Tegan and Sara is a stirring exploration of the magnetic pull of attraction and the delicate dance of intimacy. This song illuminates the tension between distancing and attraction, delving into the subtleties of romance and desire that often get overlooked in mainstream pop narratives.
Initially, we’re met with the opener “All I want to get is, a little bit closer / All I want to know is, can you come a little closer?”, setting the stage for a tale of longing and anticipation. It suggests an emotional landscape where closeness is a highly sought after commodity, inferring that there’s a gap, a space that needs to be traversed. This is a recurring motif throughout the song, tunefully encapsulating the ever-present human desire for connection.
The pre-chorus then hits us right in the feels with lines like “Here comes the breath before we get, a little bit closer / Here comes the rush before we touch, come a little closer”. The breath and the rush are emblematic of the excitement that accompanies the prospect of closeness. The lyrics masterfully depict the raw humanity of anticipation, serving as a candid depiction of the instinctual response to the prospect of touch, of connection.
Then in the chorus, we see a shift as the lyrics delve into the distinctly physical aspect of attraction. The lines “It’s not just all physical / I’m the type who won’t get oh so critical / So let’s make things physical / I won’t treat you like you’re oh so typical” employ a clever play on words. They express a disregard for over-analysis, whilst explicitly stating an intent to make things physical, promising not to treat the other party as “oh so typical”. This speaks to a desire to transcend the traditional, to go beyond surface-level interaction.
The outro repeats the mantra of the song, “I won’t treat you like you’re typical”, underlining the central message. It’s a commitment toward individual recognition, a pledge to value the uniqueness of the other person.
In the grand scheme of pop, “Closer” presents an honest portrayal of craving and desire, threaded with a respectful recognition of individuality. It sheds light on the nuanced dynamics of intimacy amidst the pure pulsating energy of attraction. Truly, a relatable and incredibly human pop song.
