"Get Closer" by Linda Ronstadt

Song#:  1201
Date:  10/02/1982
Debut:  72
Peak:  29
Weeks:  12
Genre:  Pop, Rock



Pop Bits:  Ronstadt took a bit of a break after her last album, the platinum "Mad Love," to perform on Broadway in the revival of "The Pirates of Penzance," for which she earned a Tony nomination. Returning to the studio, Ronstadt moved away from the decidedly modern rock feel of "Mad Love" to something more along the lines of her late 70s recordings. "Get Closer" sported several remakes but also included original songs such as this title-track single. The boisterous track got off to a good start, but ran out of gas just inside the Top 30. The poor start didn't bode well for the LP which became her first to miss the Top 10 and platinum status since 1973.

ReduxReview:  I think this song has a 70s vibe to it and had it been released later in that decade, this might have been a hit. In the time period it was issued, I don't think it was what folks were into. Bluesy rock tracks were not storming the pop chart. The song became a bit more popular thanks to its use in a commercial (see below), but it was just the wrong song at the wrong time. However, Ronstadt rocks it pretty well and the 7/4 time signature is pretty unusual for a pop song.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Triple Shot!  1) Although the single and album were not among her biggest hits, she did get Grammy nods for them.  The title-track got her a nomination for Best Rock Vocal while the album got her a Pop Vocal nod. The album did win a Grammy award for Best Package Design, but it went to designers Kosh and Ron Larsen.  2) This song was written by Jon Carroll, who was a member of The Starland Vocal Band ("Afternoon Delight," #1, 1976).  3) Some folks may hear this song and remember that it was used in TV ads to promote Close-Up toothpaste.

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