Released: 1985
The Cure’s “Close to Me” dives deep into the themes of anxiety, anticipation, and the craving for connection. At first glance, the lyrics might seem to talk about a romantic rendezvous gone awry, but it’s the underlying current of mental turmoil and the desire for reassurance that truly defines the song. Let’s break down the verses, hooks, and the chorus to really understand what’s at play here.
The opening lines, “I’ve waited hours for this / I’ve made myself so sick / I wish I’d stayed / Asleep today,” set a tone of regret and physical discomfort that often accompanies intense anxiety or nervous anticipation. The repetition of wishing to have stayed asleep suggests a desire to escape reality, possibly out of fear of what the day might bring. The line “I never thought this day would end / I never thought tonight could ever be / This close to me,” encapsulates the feeling of a long-feared moment finally arriving, overwhelming in its proximity.
As we move to the lines, “Just try to see in the dark / Just try to make it work,” there’s a palpable sense of struggling to find clarity in confusion or to force a difficult situation to work out. The imagery of “I make the shapes come much too close / I pull my eyes out / Hold my breath and wait / Until I sha-ha-ha-hake,” vividly describes a state of self-induced panic, where one might exaggerate their fears to the point of physical reaction – shaking out of sheer anxiety.
Interestingly, the song brings in the concept of faith as a source of comfort, “But if I had your faith / Then I could make it safe and clean,” suggesting that the presence or assurance of someone else could mitigate this overwhelming fear, purifying and calming the chaotic emotions felt. The repeated lament, “Oh if only I was sure / That my head on the door was a dream,” speaks to the surreal and disorienting nature of anxiety, where physical pain or bizarre scenarios (like banging one’s head on a door) feel both utterly real and oddly dream-like.
Throughout “Close to Me,” there’s this tug-of-war between a longing for closeness and the torment it brings. The use of contrasting images and ideas—like the anticipation of an event that’s both dreaded and yearned for—encapsulates the complex emotions underlying the lyrics. The Cure, through their mastery, presents a compelling narrative on the human condition, one where the desires for connection and safety are forever entwined with the fears of pain and disappointment.
In summary, “Close to Me” isn’t just about the physical state of being near someone or something; it’s a deep dive into the anxious mind, grappling with the duality of desire and dread. The Cure has crafted a song that resonates on multiple levels, serving as a soundtrack to the times we’ve all felt too close for comfort to our deepest fears and desires.
