So Close (Dina Carroll song) explained

"So Close" is a song by British singer and songwriter Dina Carroll, released in November 1992 by A&M Records and 1st Avenue as the third single from her debut album by the same name (1993). The song was written by Carroll with its producer, Nigel Lowis, and peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, it charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, peaking at numbers 95 and 79. The accompanying music video was directed by German feature film director and producer Marcus Nispel, featuring Carroll performing in Apollo Theatre.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "plush ballad". He noted that Carroll's "rich and appealing alto is cushioned by soft keyboard lines and warm backing harmonies."^[1] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report complimented "this tastefully-produced, rhythmic ballad".^[2] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said, "Yep, it's Christmas alright which means that disco divas such as Ms Carroll can follow up club classics like "Ain't No Man" and "Special Kind of Love" with a ballad without any loss of credibility."^[3] A reviewer from Music Week called it "soulful",^[4] and a "mature, shimmering, polished ballad on a par with some of Lisa Stansfield's finest work".^[5] Pop Rescue stated that Carroll's vocals "are so rich and warm whilst it gently plods along, but you can just tell that she's building up to something wonderful in the chorus – and her vocals really don’t let you down."^[6] Phil Shanklin of ReviewsRevues picked it as "one of the highspots" from the album, declaring it as "a stylish ballad" with elements of Phyllis Nelson's 1985 song "Move Closer".^[7]

Track listings

• 12-inch single, UK (1992)

1. "So Close"
2. "Why Did I Let You Go?"
3. "Ain't No Man" (Brothers in Rhythm remix)
4. "Special Kind of Love" (A Kinda Love mix)

• CD single, UK (1992)

1. "So Close" (radio mix) — 3:53
2. "Why Did I Let You Go?" (EP edit) — 3:28
3. "Ain't No Man" — 7:08
4. "Special Kind of Love" (A Kinda Love mix) — 6:40

Charts

Chart (1992–1993)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8]	75
Europe (European Dance Radio)[9]	5
UK Dance (Music Week)[10]	5
US Billboard Hot 100[11]	95
US Cash Box Top 100[12]	79

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United Kingdom	23 November 1992			[13]
Japan	25 March 1993	Mini-CD	A&M	[14]

Notes and References

1. Single Reviews: New & Noteworthy. Larry. Flick. Billboard. 9 January 1993. 3 February 2020. 72. Larry Flick.
2. Dave . Sholin . Singles . . 12 February 1993 . 92 . 16 October 2020 .
3. Web site: Masterton. James. Week Ending December 5th 1992. Chart Watch UK. 30 November 1992. 12 September 2021. James Masterton.
4. Dance . . 21 November 1992 . 20 . 2 October 2020.
5. Mainstream: Singles . . 28 November 1992 . 7 . 2 October 2020.
6. Web site: Review: "So Close" by Dina Carroll (CD, 1993). Pop Rescue. 19 June 2015. 4 April 2020.
7. Web site: Phil . Shanklin . 100 Essential Albums- Number 86– So Close – Dina Carroll (A&M 1993) . ReviewsRevues . 2 May 2015 . 14 October 2020.
8. Eurochart Hot 100. Music & Media. 9. 51/52. 19 December 1992. 44. 22 March 2021.
9. European Dance Radio. Music & Media. 10. 4. 23 January 1993. 20. 1 November 2021.
10. Top 60 Dance Singles . . 5 December 1992 . 26 . 30 September 2020.
11. Hot 100 A–Z. Billboard. 105. 16. 77. 17 April 1993.
12. Top 100 Pop Singles. Cash Box. LVI. 30. 3 April 1993. 4. 20 April 2024.
13. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 17. 21 November 1992.
14. Web site: ソー・クロース ディナ・キャロル. So Close Dina Carroll. Oricon. ja. 28 November 2023.