So Close (song)

"So Close" is a 2007 song written for the film Enchanted, with music composed by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Performed by Jon McLaughlin, the song was released on November 20, 2007 in the United States as part of the soundtrack for Enchanted.

The song is a contemporary ballad that contrasts in style to songs featured in earlier parts of the film like "True Love's Kiss", "Happy Working Song" and "That's How You Know", which are sung by characters in the film. Unlike these songs, which were written in part as a parody of classic Disney films, the song is "totally genuine" in tone as it is used to express the emotional journey that the main character Giselle undergoes.^[1]

The song was a nominee at the 80th Academy Awards in the Best Original Song category, in which "Happy Working Song" and "That's How You Know" were also nominated.

[edit] Context

In the film, singer Jon McLaughlin performs the song as a band vocalist in the ballroom sequence where Giselle (Amy Adams) and Robert (Patrick Dempsey) dance the King's and Queen's waltz. Despite being used to accompany a waltz, which is commonly performed in 3/4 time, "So Close" has a slow tempo set in 4/4 time in the key of E major.

The song reflects Giselle's feelings as she and Robert dance and she begins to realize that Robert is her true love. Visual aspects of the sequence mirror Belle and the Beast's dance in Beauty and the Beast to the title song.^[2]

[edit] Versions

McLaughlin, who recorded the song for the film, also performed the song at the 80th Academy Awards ceremony in a recreation of the King's and Queen's Ball scene from the film, where the roles of Giselle, Robert, Prince Edward and Nancy Tremaine were portrayed by look-a-like dancers.^[3]

The Russian version of "So Close" is entitled "Так Близко (Tak Blizko)" and is sung by Aleksandr Panaiotov.^[4]