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| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|kwEZRPkAAu8|"Too Close"}}}}
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|kwEZRPkAAu8|"Too Close"}}}}
}}
}}
"'''Too Close'''" is a song by American [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] group [[Next (American band)|Next]] featuring uncredited vocals from Vee of [[Koffee Brown]]. It contains a sample of "Christmas Rappin" by [[Kurtis Blow]] and was released on January 27, 1998, as the second single from their debut album, ''[[Rated Next]]'' (1997). The song reached number one on the US [[Hot 100]] and [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] charts, topping the former for five consecutive weeks, and has gone platinum, making it their biggest and best-known hit.
"'''Too Close'''" is a song by American [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] group [[Next (American band)|Next]] featuring uncredited vocals from Vee of [[Koffee Brown]]. It contains a sample of "Christmas Rappin" by [[Kurtis Blow]] and was released on January 27, 1998, as the second single from their debut album, ''[[Rated Next]]'' (1997). The song reached number one on the US [[Hot 100]] and [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] charts, topping the former for five non-consecutive weeks, and has gone platinum, making it their biggest and best-known hit.


==Composition==
==Composition==
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==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
Ralph Tee of ''[[Record Mirror]]'' gave the song five out of five, writing, "With soulful vocals, floating keyboards and subtle funky guilars, this sounds like a record from a different time and place though it's strangely contemporary. The bassline from [[Kurtis Blow]]'s "Christmas Rappin'" [from 1979] definitely provides the old school element, and the beats are non-[[Hip hop music|hip-hop]]-derived straight fours, but the sophisticated accompaniment does not prevent this from being one of the best and crispest new street jams around."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Ralph|last=Tee|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-02-14.pdf|title=Hot Vinyl|work=[[Music Week]], in [[Record Mirror]] (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=February 14, 1998|page=8|access-date=September 7, 2023}}</ref>
Ralph Tee of ''[[Record Mirror]]'' gave the song five out of five, writing, "With soulful vocals, floating keyboards and subtle funky guilars, this sounds like a record from a different time and place though it's strangely contemporary. The bassline from [[Kurtis Blow]]'s "Christmas Rappin'" [from 1979] definitely provides the old school element, and the beats are non-[[Hip hop music|hip-hop]]-derived straight fours, but the sophisticated accompaniment does not prevent this from being one of the best and crispest new street jams around."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Ralph|last=Tee|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-02-14.pdf|title=Hot Vinyl|magazine=[[Music Week]], in [[Record Mirror]] (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=February 14, 1998|page=8|access-date=September 7, 2023}}</ref>


==Charts==
==Charts==
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{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1997–1998)
!scope="col"|Chart (1998)
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
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!scope="row"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1998-04-25/|title=Billboard Hot 100|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=April 25, 1998|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1998-04-25/|title=Billboard Hot 100|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=April 25, 1998|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
|1
|1
⚫
|-
⚫
!scope="row"|US [[Dance Singles Sales|Maxi-Singles Sales]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-dance-singles-sales/1998-04-11/|title=Dance Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|date=April 11, 1998|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
⚫
|4
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Hot R&B Singles]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1998-05-02/|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|magazine=Billboard|date=May 2, 1998|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US [[Hot R&B Singles]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1998-05-02/|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|magazine=Billboard|date=May 2, 1998|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
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!scope="row"|US [[Pop Airplay|Mainstream Top 40]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/pop-songs/1998-08-15/|title=Pop Airplay|magazine=Billboard|date=August 15, 1998|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US [[Pop Airplay|Mainstream Top 40]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/pop-songs/1998-08-15/|title=Pop Airplay|magazine=Billboard|date=August 15, 1998|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
|5
|5
⚫
|-
⚫
!scope="row"|US [[Dance Singles Sales|Maxi-Singles Sales]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-dance-singles-sales/1998-04-11/|title=Dance Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|date=April 11, 1998|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
⚫
|4
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Rhythmic (chart)|Rhythmic Top 40]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rhythmic-40/1998-05-02/|title=Rhythmic Airplay|magazine=Billboard|date=May 2, 1998|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US [[Rhythmic (chart)|Rhythmic Top 40]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rhythmic-40/1998-05-02/|title=Rhythmic Airplay|magazine=Billboard|date=May 2, 1998|access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
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|18
|18
|-
|-
!scope="row"|UK Urban (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1999/Music-Week-1999-01-09.pdf |title=The Urban Top 40 Of 1998|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=January 9, 1999|access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref>
!scope="row"|UK Urban (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1999/Music-Week-1999-01-09.pdf|title=The Urban Top 40 of 1998|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=January 9, 1999|access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref>
|4
|4
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1998|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1998|access-date=August 28, 2010}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1998|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1998|access-date=August 28, 2010|archive-date=March 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309202636/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1998|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|1
|1
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US Hot R&B Singles (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1998/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1998|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US Hot R&B Singles (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1998: Hot R&B Singles|magazine=Billboard|volume=110|issue=52|page=YE-51|date=December 26, 1998}}</ref>
|1
|1
|-
!scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1998|magazine=[[Airplay Monitor]]|volume=6|issue=52|page=45|date=December 25, 1998}}</ref>
|11
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US Maxi-Singles Sales (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1998: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|volume=110|issue=52|page=YE-55|date=December 26, 1998}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US Maxi-Singles Sales (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1998: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|volume=110|issue=52|page=YE-55|date=December 26, 1998}}</ref>
|32
|32
|-
!scope="row"|US Rhythmic Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1998|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=6|issue=52|page=46|date=December 25, 1998}}</ref>
|1
|}
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1999)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|US Rhythmic Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1999|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=7|issue=52|page=53|date=December 24, 1999}}</ref>
|80
|}
|}


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{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Next|title=Too Close|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=1998}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Next|title=Too Close|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=1998}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Next|title=Too Close|type=single|award=Platinum|id=3831|relyear=1997|relmonth=09}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Next|title=Too Close|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1997|id=1998-07-31|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|relmonth=09}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Next|title=Too Close|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|id=7659-3141-1|access-date=May 27, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Next|title=Too Close|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|id=7659-3141-1|access-date=May 27, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Next|title=Too Close|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1998|certyear=1998|salesamount=2,100,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Q0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA75|title=Best-Selling Records of 1998|magazine=Billboard|volume=111|number=5|page=75|date=January 30, 1999|access-date=May 31, 2015|issn=0006-2510}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Next|title=Too Close|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1998|certyear=1998|salesamount=2,100,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Q0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA75|title=Best-Selling Records of 1998|magazine=Billboard|volume=111|number=5|page=75|date=January 30, 1999|access-date=May 31, 2015|issn=0006-2510}}</ref>}}
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| recorded =
| recorded =
| studio = Ruffland (London, England), Cutfather & Joe (Copenhagen, Denmark)
| studio = Ruffland (London, England), Cutfather & Joe (Copenhagen, Denmark)
| genre = [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]<ref name="stylusmagazine.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/gotta-get-thru-this-dom-passantinos-survey-of-the-new-milleniums-uk-1-singles.htm|title="Gotta Get Thru This": Dom Passantino's Survey of the New Millenium's UK #1 Singles|website=[[Stylus Magazine]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060624030747/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/gotta-get-thru-this-dom-passantinos-survey-of-the-new-milleniums-uk-1-singles.htm|archive-date=24 June 2006|access-date=19 May 2024|quote=Too Close” was textbook enter-the-club R&B...}}</ref>
| genre = <!-- Do not add unsourced genres -->
<!-- Do not add unsourced genres -->
| length = 3:47
| length = 3:47
| label = [[Virgin Records|Virgin]], [[Innocent Records|Innocent]]
| label = [[Virgin Records|Virgin]], [[Innocent Records|Innocent]]
| writer = Kier Gist, [[Darren Lighty]], Robert Huggar, Raphael Brown, Robert Ford Jr., Denzil Miller, James B. Moore, Kurtis Walker, Larry Smith
| writer = Kier Gist, [[Darren Lighty]], Robert Huggar, Raphael Brown, [[Robert Ford Jr.]], Denzil Miller, James B. Moore, Kurtis Walker, Larry Smith
| producer = Ray Ruffin, [[Cutfather & Joe]]{{ref|a|[a]}}
| producer = Ray Ruffin
| prev_title = [[All Rise (song)|All Rise]]
| prev_title = [[All Rise (song)|All Rise]]
| prev_year = 2001
| prev_year = 2001
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* Robert Huggar – writing
* Robert Huggar – writing
* Raphael Brown – writing
* Raphael Brown – writing
* Robert Ford Jr. – writing
* [[Robert Ford Jr.]] – writing
* Denzil Miller – writing
* Denzil Miller – writing
* James B. Moore – writing
* James B. Moore – writing
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==Parodies==
==Parodies==
In 2015, the song regained attention through the popularity of the [[internet meme]], "Why You Always Lying" by Nicholas Fraser. The parody gained fame within social media (most notably [[Vine (service)|Vine]] and [[Twitter]]) because of the comically poor production quality and relatable theme. Replacing the line "Baby when we're grinding" with "Why the fuck you lying," and similarly for following phrases, the song initially referenced an untrustworthy girl who failed to keep her promise of hooking him up with her cute friend. Currently, the original Vine has been viewed over 76.1 million times,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vine.co/v/eIegupteHvd|title=When she say she got a cute friend for you|last=Fraser|first=Nicholas|date=August 29, 2015|website=Vine|publisher=Vine|access-date=March 8, 2016}}</ref> and has been extended into a full music video for [[YouTube]], which has gained over 29 million views as of November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcWM_1hBu_c|title=Ig-@Downgoes.Fraser (OFFICIAL FULL LENGTH!!) Why You Always Lying video|author=Downgoes Fraser|website=[[YouTube]] |date=September 14, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/WcWM_1hBu_c|archive-date=December 21, 2021|access-date=March 8, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Fraser also performed the parody along with the former Next member RL on the [[MTV2]] show ''[[Uncommon Sense with Charlamagne]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/09/11/this-why-you-always-lying-meme-is-the-internets-new-obsession-5386230/|title=This 'Why you always lying?' meme is the internet's new obsession
In 2015, the song regained attention through the popularity of the [[internet meme]], "Why You Always Lying" by Nicholas Fraser. The parody gained fame within social media (most notably [[Vine (service)|Vine]] and [[Twitter]]) because of the comically poor production quality and relatable theme. Replacing the line "Baby when we're grinding" with "Why the fuck you lying," and similarly for following phrases, the song initially referenced an untrustworthy girl who failed to keep her promise of hooking him up with her cute friend. Currently, the original Vine has been viewed over 76.1 million times,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vine.co/v/eIegupteHvd|title=When she say she got a cute friend for you|last=Fraser|first=Nicholas|date=August 29, 2015|website=Vine|access-date=March 8, 2016}}</ref> and has been extended into a full music video for [[YouTube]], which has gained over 34 million views as of June 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcWM_1hBu_c|title=Ig-@Downgoes.Fraser (OFFICIAL FULL LENGTH!!) Why You Always Lying video|author=Downgoes Fraser|website=[[YouTube]] |date=September 14, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/WcWM_1hBu_c|archive-date=December 21, 2021|access-date=March 8, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Fraser also performed the parody along with the former Next member RL on the [[MTV2]] show ''[[Uncommon Sense with Charlamagne]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/09/11/this-why-you-always-lying-meme-is-the-internets-new-obsession-5386230/|title=This 'Why you always lying?' meme is the internet's new obsession
|last=Lynch|first=Allison|date=September 11, 2015|work=Metro News UK|access-date=October 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=90's Group Next's "Too Close" Song & Video Gets A Little Boost After "Why You Lyin'" Video Goes Viral|url=http://spacedoutmagazineradio.com/2015/09/03/90s-group-nexts-too-close-song-video-gets-a-little-boost-after-why-you-lyin-video-goes-viral/|website=Spaced Out Magazine Radio|access-date=September 3, 2015}}</ref>
|last=Lynch|first=Allison|date=September 11, 2015|work=Metro News UK|access-date=October 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=90's Group Next's "Too Close" Song & Video Gets A Little Boost After "Why You Lyin'" Video Goes Viral|url=http://spacedoutmagazineradio.com/2015/09/03/90s-group-nexts-too-close-song-video-gets-a-little-boost-after-why-you-lyin-video-goes-viral/|website=Spaced Out Magazine Radio|access-date=September 3, 2015}}</ref>


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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1990s ballads]]
[[Category:1997 songs]]
[[Category:1997 songs]]
[[Category:1998 singles]]
[[Category:1998 singles]]
[[Category:2001 singles]]
[[Category:2001 singles]]
⚫
[[Category:Next (American group) songs]]
[[Category:Blue (English band) songs]]
[[Category:Arista Records singles]]
[[Category:Arista Records singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles]]
⚫
[[Category:Blue (English band) songs]]
[[Category:Innocent Records singles]]
[[Category:Innocent Records singles]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Bille Woodruff]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Bille Woodruff]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Jake Nava]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Cutfather & Joe]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Cutfather & Joe]]
[[Category:Songs written by KayGee]]
[[Category:Songs written by KayGee]]
[[Category:UK Singles Chart number-one singles]]
[[Category:UK singles chart number-one singles]]
[[Category:Virgin Records singles]]
[[Category:Virgin Records singles]]
[[Category:Songs about dancing]]
[[Category:Songs about dancing]]
[[Category:2015 in Internet culture]]

Latest revision as of 18:58, 25 November 2024

"Too Close"
Artwork for US single release; non-US releases use same artwork but with different titling layout
Single by Next
from the album Rated Next
ReleasedJanuary 27, 1998 (1998-01-27)
Length4:20
LabelArista
Songwriter(s)Kay Gee, Terry Brown, Robert Huggar, Raphael Brown
Producer(s)Kay Gee
Next singles chronology
"Butta Love"
(1997) 		"Too Close"
(1998) 		"I Still Love You"
(1998)
Music video
"Too Close" on YouTube

"Too Close" is a song by American R&B group Next featuring uncredited vocals from Vee of Koffee Brown. It contains a sample of "Christmas Rappin" by Kurtis Blow and was released on January 27, 1998, as the second single from their debut album, Rated Next (1997). The song reached number one on the US Hot 100 and R&B charts, topping the former for five non-consecutive weeks, and has gone platinum, making it their biggest and best-known hit.

Composition

[edit]

According to Billboard, on the song "R.L, Terry and Raphael moan and groan about their female dance partner's grindin' and shakin' -- and their respective bulges as a result -- atop a Chicago-style step dance production."[1]

Critical reception

[edit]

Ralph Tee of Record Mirror gave the song five out of five, writing, "With soulful vocals, floating keyboards and subtle funky guilars, this sounds like a record from a different time and place though it's strangely contemporary. The bassline from Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin'" [from 1979] definitely provides the old school element, and the beats are non-hip-hop-derived straight fours, but the sophisticated accompaniment does not prevent this from being one of the best and crispest new street jams around."[2]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[40] Gold 35,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[41] Platinum 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[44] Platinum 2,100,000[43]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States January 27, 1998
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Arista [45]
March 10, 1998 Contemporary hit radio [46]
United Kingdom May 25, 1998
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [47]

Blue version

[edit]
"Too Close"
Single by Blue
from the album All Rise
ReleasedAugust 27, 2001 (2001-08-27)
StudioRuffland (London, England), Cutfather & Joe (Copenhagen, Denmark)
GenreR&B[48]
Length3:47
LabelVirgin, Innocent
Songwriter(s)Kier Gist, Darren Lighty, Robert Huggar, Raphael Brown, Robert Ford Jr., Denzil Miller, James B. Moore, Kurtis Walker, Larry Smith
Producer(s)Ray Ruffin
Blue singles chronology
"All Rise"
(2001) 		"Too Close"
(2001) 		"If You Come Back"
(2001)

In 2001, English boy band Blue released a cover version of the song as the second single from their debut studio album All Rise (2001). The track was released on August 27, 2001, and became their first number one UK single produced by Ray Ruffin. "Too Close" also reached number five in Australia, number 17 in Ireland, and number one in New Zealand, where the Next version had also been a number-one hit. The song has received a silver sales status certification for sales of over 200,000 copies in the UK.

Music video

[edit]

The band traveled to New York City to film the music video, and whilst there, they witnessed the attacks on the World Trade Center. The following month, Blue were being interviewed by British newspaper The Sun and singer Lee Ryan commented that "This New York thing is being blown out of proportion" and asked "What about whales? They are ignoring animals that are more important. Animals need saving and that's more important." The other members of the band tried to silence Ryan, but he went on.[49] After The Sun quoted Ryan as saying "Who gives a fuck about New York when elephants are being killed?", this caused a huge media backlash that resulted in Blue losing their U.S. record deal and campaigns to sack Ryan from the group.[50]

Track listings

[edit]

UK and Australian CD single[51]

  1. "Too Close" (radio edit) – 3:45
  2. "Too Close" (Blacksmith R&B club rub) – 5:41
  3. "Too Close" (instrumental) – 3:45
  4. "Too Close" (video) – 3:45

UK cassette single and European CD single[52][53]

  1. "Too Close" (radio edit) – 3:45
  2. "Too Close" (Blacksmith R&B club rub) – 5:41

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are taken from the All Rise album booklet.[54]

Studios

  • Recorded at Ruffland Studios (London, England) and Cutfather & Joe Studios (Copenhagen, Denmark)
  • Mixed at White Room (Copenhagen, Denmark)
  • Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City) and Sony Music Studios (London, England)

Personnel

  • Kier Gist – writing
  • Darren Lighty – writing
  • Robert Huggar – writing
  • Raphael Brown – writing
  • Robert Ford Jr. – writing
  • Denzil Miller – writing
  • James B. Moore – writing
  • Kurtis Walker – writing
  • Larry Smith – writing
  • Blue – lead vocals
  • Ray Ruffin – additional backing vocals, keys, programming, production
  • Awsa – additional backing vocals
  • Andrew Smith – guitars
  • Glen Scott – additional keyboards
  • Cutfather & Joe – additional keyboards, additional production and mix
  • Mads Nilsson – mixing
  • Tom Coyne – mastering
  • John Davis – mastering

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[71] Platinum 70,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[72] Silver 200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom August 27, 2001
  • CD
  • cassette
[73]
Australia October 22, 2001 CD [74]

Parodies

[edit]

In 2015, the song regained attention through the popularity of the internet meme, "Why You Always Lying" by Nicholas Fraser. The parody gained fame within social media (most notably Vine and Twitter) because of the comically poor production quality and relatable theme. Replacing the line "Baby when we're grinding" with "Why the fuck you lying," and similarly for following phrases, the song initially referenced an untrustworthy girl who failed to keep her promise of hooking him up with her cute friend. Currently, the original Vine has been viewed over 76.1 million times,[75] and has been extended into a full music video for YouTube, which has gained over 34 million views as of June 2024.[76] Fraser also performed the parody along with the former Next member RL on the MTV2 show Uncommon Sense with Charlamagne.[77][78]

In 2021, comedian Munya Chawawa posted a parody of the song with lyrics changed to reflect the panic buying of petrol and diesel fuel that occurred across the United Kingdom in September 2021 during the 2021 United Kingdom fuel supply crisis which in turn caused further panic from the British public. The lyrics to the chorus were changed to "Britain’s panic buying/Petrol pumps are dying/Said Brexit would be fine and turns out they were lying/Fuel is running real low/ Need European blokes/ To come through in their HGVs”.[79]

References

[edit]
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