That's As Close As I'll Get To Loving You

Album: Tool Box (1995)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This country chart-topper was a bit of an anomaly for Tippin, who mostly made his living off of blue collar anthems and patriotic songs, not ballads about unrequited love. "We'd never done anything like that," Tippin explained in a Songfacts interview. "The record label, I've got to credit those guys for that. They're the ones who really told me, 'Hey, man, we just feel like there's something we can do here different. Just try to expand this thing.'

    And thank goodness I had a great producer like Steve Gibson. Steve said, 'You know, Aaron, You've always sung in a pretty high key. Let's drop this down a few notches and see what your voice sounds like down in the bottom.' So we did, and it was a whole new Aaron Tippin. It really worked great."
  • This was written by a trio of songwriters that didn't include Tippin, who usually co-writes his songs. Jan Leyers, a Belgian musician and former member of Soulsister, wrote the ballad along with voice actress Sally Dworsky (The Lion King, Shrek) and country singer Paul Jefferson.
  • In the black-and-white music video, directed by Michael Salomon, Tippin is a carpenter who pines for a married woman while working at her home. The clip peaked at #1 on CMT's Top 12 Countdown.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Booker T. Jones

Booker T. JonesSongwriter Interviews

The Stax legend on how he cooked up "Green Onions," the first time he and Otis Redding saw hippies, and if he'll ever play a digital organ.

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.