Closer

Album: Music from Another Dimension! (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • It was Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer who initiated this rock ballad. He had an idea that he wanted to explore and undertook a 90-minute session with longtime band collaborator Marti Frederiksen. The pair then listened back to what they had played and picked out some verses and a chorus from the jam. "He's one of the few guys who has the patience to hear out my ideas, because I'm not musical that way. I wanted to do something at that particular tempo, so Marti and I started jamming together," Kramer told Rolling Stone of songwriting with the producer-composer. "You always come out with something at the end of the day. Always. There's never a blank day."

    Brad Whitford then added some guitar flourishes, and Steven Tyler provided lyrics about fading love. Kramer said to Rolling Stone of the experience: "The biggest excitement for me, not being a songwriter, was having life breathed into it by the band – with Steven writing the lyrics, having him sing it, having Brad play guitar on it."
  • Kramer's first Aerosmith songwriting credit was for the band's 1974 track, "Pandora's Box" and he is credited on a few their other '70s and '80s tracks. He is listed as a writer on four Music From Another Dimension! tracks, but this is the one he feels the most responsible for creating.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?