This track was co-written by Aphrodite executive producer Stuart Price, who has also worked with Madonna, the Killers and the Scissor Sisters. The other co-writer was Beatrice Hatherley, whom Price has previously collaborated with on tracks for his British electronic music band, Zoot Woman.

The song has an ornate orchestral prog rock backdrop. Kylie told Pop Justice why she included this reflective number on an album containing plenty of club bangers. She explained: "When Stuart and I were compiling the tracklist we decided that we have plenty of bangers and that's when we decided we needed songs like 'Closer' to bring it down a little."