Wikipedia

Come a Little Closer (The Desert Rose Band song)

"Come a Little Closer" is a song by the American country rock band The Desert Rose Band, which was released in 1991 as the second and final single from their first compilation album A Dozen Roses – Greatest Hits. It was written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill, and produced by Ed Seay and Paul Worley.[2][3]

"Come a Little Closer"
Single by The Desert Rose Band
from the album A Dozen Roses – Greatest Hits
B-side"Everybody's Hero"
ReleasedMay 1991[1]
GenreCountry, country rock
Length3:10 (edited version)
4:00 (album version)
LabelCurb Records
Songwriter(s)Chris Hillman, Steve Hill
Producer(s)Ed Seay, Paul Worley
The Desert Rose Band singles chronology
"Will This Be the Day"
(1991) 		"Come a Little Closer"
(1991) 		"You Can Go Home"
(1991)

"Come a Little Closer" marked a continuation of the band's commercial decline on both the American and Canadian Country Singles Chart. Earlier in 1991, "Will This Be the Day" had entered the US Top 40, but "Come a Little Closer" was the band's first single not to reach the Top 40 in either America or Canada. It peaked at No. 65 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart[4] and No. 67 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles Chart.[5][6]

Release

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"Come a Little Closer" was released by Curb Records in America and Canada only, on 7" vinyl[2][7] and as a one-track promotional CD. For release as a single, the album version of "Come a Little Closer" was edited and reduced by almost a minute in duration. It was dubbed the "Edited Version". The B-side on the 7" vinyl, "Everybody's Hero", was taken from the band's Pages of Life album.[8]

Promotion

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No music video was created to promote the single, however a live performance of the song would later be professionally filmed in Aspecta, Kumamoto, Japan, on October 18, 1992.[9]

Critical reception

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Upon release, Cash Box listed the single as one of their "feature picks" during May 1991. They commented: "What a band, what a sound, what a song! The Desert Rose Band has successfully managed to create its own recognizable sound, and with its latest release, the sound undoubtedly sparks a best yet! With a driving hit-n-go pulse and a plead-of-love theme, the band delivers an unusual "live" approach with "Come a Little Closer". In addition to an expected fire-tinged harmony blend, this spicy number lends time for a commanding instrumental performance."[10] In a review of True Love, they said the song had a "traditional country sound with a modern day attitude".[11] Billboard commented: "Desert Rose Band leans in the direction of pop/rock with this crisply sung number. Rock guitar licks are showered throughout."[12]

In a review of A Dozen Roses – Greatest Hits, CD Review said: ""Come a Little Closer" ranks as one of Hillman and Hill's best compositions. Crafty and commercial, the Desert Rose Band offers a seamless blend of country and rock styles..."[13] Randy Lewis of the Los Angeles Times described the song as a "driving rocker", but added ""Come a Little Closer," teeters too close to rock cliche for comfort, something this group avoids for the most part."[14][15] The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel described the track as a "country rock/reggae fusion tune."[16] The Fresno Bee, said of the compilation album: "The best of the bunch on this collection are "Come a Little Closer" and "Price I Pay"."[17]

Track listing

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7" Single
  1. "Come a Little Closer" - 3:10
  2. "Everybody's Hero" - 3:17
CD Single (American promo)
  1. "Come a Little Closer" - 3:10

Chart performance

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Chart (1991) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[18] 67
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[19] 65

Personnel

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The Desert Rose Band
Additional personnel

References

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  1. ^ "Desert Rose Band - Come A Little Closer / Everybody's Hero - MCA / Curb - USA - MCAS7-54107". 45cat. Retrieved 2018-03-09.
  2. ^ a b "Desert Rose Band - Come A Little Closer / Everybody's Hero (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  3. ^ "Chris Hillman And The Desert Rose Band* - A Dozen Roses - Greatest Hits at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  4. ^ Joel Whitburn (2002). Top Country Singles 1944-2001. Record Research. ISBN 978-0898201512.
  5. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2014-02-24. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  6. ^ "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2014-02-24. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  7. ^ "The Desert Rose Band 7" 45 Come a Little Closer & Everbody's Hero: THE DESERT ROSE BAND: Music". Amazon. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  8. ^ "Desert Rose Band - Come A Little Closer (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  9. ^ YouTube (2009-09-29). "The Desert Rose Band - Come A Little Closer". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  10. ^ Cash Box newspaper - May 11, 1991 - Country: single releases, feature picks - page 23
  11. ^ Cash Box newspaper - February 1, 1992 - Country music: retail rap - page 21
  12. ^ Billboard magazine - May 11, 1991, - Single Reviews - Country: Desert Rose Band - Come a Little Closer - page 75
  13. ^ "CD Review - Google Books". 1991. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  14. ^ "Los Angeles Times: Archives - Pop Music Reviews Business as Usual for Desert Rose". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 1990-12-06. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  15. ^ "Los Angeles Times: Archives - O.C. POP MUSIC REVIEW Ex-Byrd's Feet on the Ground Chris Hillman's Desert Rose Band was too busy with today's country to be concerned with yesterday's rock. The often-dazzling band played at the Crazy Horse Steak House". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 1990-12-05. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  16. ^ "JSOnline.com News Archives". Nl.newsbank.com. 1991-02-03. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  17. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-02-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1580." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. July 27, 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  19. ^ "Desert Rose Band Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
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