Close (album)
Encyclopedia
Close is the sixth studio album
by Kim Wilde
, released in mid 1988.
Produced by Ricky Wilde and Tony Swain
, Close was the final album on which Marty Wilde had co-writer credits. The album is widely perceived by fans and critics (and Kim herself) as Wilde's most well-balanced, with many kinds of pop represented: dance, ballad, rock and midtempo.
The album's lead single was "Hey Mister Heartache
", featuring backing vocals from Junior Giscombe — but its success was dwarfed by the follow-up single, "You Came
", which hit the Top 10 in many countries and just missed the U.S. Top 40.
"Never Trust a Stranger
" and "Four Letter Word
" also reached the UK Top 10, although a fifth single "Love in the Natural Way
" was less successful. Attention for the album was bolstered by Kim's support slot on Michael Jackson
's European tour.
Close reached the Top 10 in the UK, almost all Scandinavian countries, Austria and Germany and went on to become Wilde's biggest selling album, being certified platinum in the UK and shifting more than 2 million units worldwide.
Side Two
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...
, released in mid 1988.
Produced by Ricky Wilde and Tony Swain
Jolley & Swain
Steve Jolley and Tony Swain were a successful pop musician, songwriting and record production duo in the United Kingdom in the early to mid-1980s, producing some of the top artists and songs of the era....
, Close was the final album on which Marty Wilde had co-writer credits. The album is widely perceived by fans and critics (and Kim herself) as Wilde's most well-balanced, with many kinds of pop represented: dance, ballad, rock and midtempo.
The album's lead single was "Hey Mister Heartache
Hey Mister Heartache
"Hey Mister Heartache" is the first single from Close, the 1988 album by British singer Kim Wilde.Although only a minor hit in Wilde's native UK, it was a Top 20 success throughout Europe and marked the beginning of a very successful year for the star — during which she would have a best-selling...
", featuring backing vocals from Junior Giscombe — but its success was dwarfed by the follow-up single, "You Came
You Came
"You Came" is the second single from the Kim Wilde album Close.The single became one of the biggest hits of her long career. Although it did not continue her US success, it topped charts throughout Europe and reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart....
", which hit the Top 10 in many countries and just missed the U.S. Top 40.
"Never Trust a Stranger
Never Trust a Stranger
"Never Trust a Stranger" is the third single from Close, the sixth original album by Kim Wilde.Remixed from the original album track by producer Ricki Wilde, it was released as a single in the autumn of 1988 following the best-selling hit "You Came" and several European tour dates supporting...
" and "Four Letter Word
Four Letter Word
"Four Letter Word" is the fourth single from the Kim Wilde album Close.It was released at the end of 1988 — the year that had seen Wilde release a best-selling album, have four international hits and support Michael Jackson on the European leg of his world tour."Four Letter Word" marked the first...
" also reached the UK Top 10, although a fifth single "Love in the Natural Way
Love in the Natural Way
"Love in the Natural Way" is the fifth and final single from Close, the best-selling album by Kim Wilde.Issued in the UK and Germany in early 1989 on 7", 12" and CD-single , it did not match the success of the other singles from that album the previous year.This was Wilde's final release of the...
" was less successful. Attention for the album was bolstered by Kim's support slot on Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's European tour.
Close reached the Top 10 in the UK, almost all Scandinavian countries, Austria and Germany and went on to become Wilde's biggest selling album, being certified platinum in the UK and shifting more than 2 million units worldwide.
Track listing
Side One- "Hey Mister HeartacheHey Mister Heartache"Hey Mister Heartache" is the first single from Close, the 1988 album by British singer Kim Wilde.Although only a minor hit in Wilde's native UK, it was a Top 20 success throughout Europe and marked the beginning of a very successful year for the star — during which she would have a best-selling...
" (Kim Wilde, Steve Byrd) - "You CameYou Came"You Came" is the second single from the Kim Wilde album Close.The single became one of the biggest hits of her long career. Although it did not continue her US success, it topped charts throughout Europe and reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart....
" (Kim Wilde, Ricky Wilde) - "Four Letter WordFour Letter Word"Four Letter Word" is the fourth single from the Kim Wilde album Close.It was released at the end of 1988 — the year that had seen Wilde release a best-selling album, have four international hits and support Michael Jackson on the European leg of his world tour."Four Letter Word" marked the first...
" (Marty Wilde, Ricky Wilde) - "Love in the Natural WayLove in the Natural Way"Love in the Natural Way" is the fifth and final single from Close, the best-selling album by Kim Wilde.Issued in the UK and Germany in early 1989 on 7", 12" and CD-single , it did not match the success of the other singles from that album the previous year.This was Wilde's final release of the...
" (Kim Wilde, Marty Wilde, Ricky Wilde) - "Love's a No" (Kim Wilde, Marty Wilde, Ricky Wilde)
Side Two
- "Never Trust a StrangerNever Trust a Stranger"Never Trust a Stranger" is the third single from Close, the sixth original album by Kim Wilde.Remixed from the original album track by producer Ricki Wilde, it was released as a single in the autumn of 1988 following the best-selling hit "You Came" and several European tour dates supporting...
" (Kim Wilde, Ricky Wilde) - "You'll Be the One Who'll Lose" (Kim Wilde, Marty Wilde, Ricky Wilde)
- "European Soul" (Kim Wilde, Ricky Wilde)
- "Stone" (Kim Wilde, Marty Wilde, Ricky Wilde)
- "Lucky Guy" (Todd RundgrenTodd RundgrenTodd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop-wunderkind, supported by the certified gold solo double LP Something/Anything? in 1972, Todd Rundgren's career has produced a diverse range of recordings...
)
- Bonus track on cd: "Hey Mister Heartache" (12" version)
Personnel
- Kim Wilde
- Ricky Wilde - guitar, keyboards, programming, background vocals
- Steve Byrd - guitar
- Tony Swain - keyboards, programming
- Bias Boshell - keyboards on "Lucky Guy"
- Junior Giscombe, Nicci Sun - background vocals
Certifications
| Territory | Certifier | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | SNEP Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
Gold | 100,000 |
| Germany | BVMI | Gold | 250,000 |
| Netherlands | NVPI NVPI The NVPI is the Dutch tradeassociation of the entertainment industry... |
Gold | 35,000 |
| Switzerland | IFPI | Platinum | 50,000 |
| Sweden | IFPI | Gold | 20,000 |
| United Kingdom | BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
Platinum | 300,000 |