Greg Lake - Closer To Believing (Official Lyrics Video)

‘Closer To Believing’ is available as part of the new, career-spanning, Greg Lake ‘Anthology’, released 23 October on Deluxe 2CD, 2LP, Digital and Streaming
Available to Order Now: https://greglake.lnk.to/TheAnthologyIN

Final version of this beautifully moving, Greg Lake penned ballad, which he re-recorded acoustically shortly before his death in 2016. Originally released on the Emerson, Lake & Palmer album ‘Works Volume 1’ in 1997. Poignant, finely crafted lyrics from this legendary musician, especially moving in today’s difficult times.

‘The Anthology’ has many notable highlights: for starters there’s Greg’s re-recording of the old ELP favourite ‘Closer To Believing’ which he made towards the end of his life. There’s the hugely collectable Psych 45 ‘Love’ that Lake recorded in 1969 whilst with the Shy Limbs, alongside carefully curated treasures from ELP’s hit albums, notably ‘Take A Pebble’, ‘C’est La Vie’ and ‘Lucky Man’. No Anthology would be complete without that much-loved solo hit ‘I Believe In Father Christmas’, the inclusion of King Crimson’s ‘21st Schizoid Man’, ‘Peace’ and ‘In The Court Of The Crimson King’.

‘The Anthology’ is presented as a deluxe 2CD hardback set and on double gatefold vinyl. Inside is an extended essay from author Chris Welch alongside a host of unseen photographs alongside contributions from ELP manager Stewart Young and Greg Lake’s wife of 40 years, Regina Lake and many heartfelt tributes from other friends and colleagues.

Lyrics:

I am closer to believing
Than I ever was before
On the crest of this elation
Must I crash upon the shore
And with the driftwood of acquaintance
Light the fire to love once more
I am wind blown...I am times

To be closer to believing
To be just a breath away
On the death of inspiration
I would buy back yesterday
But there's no crueller illusion
There's no sharper coin to pay
As I reach out... It slips away

From the opium of custom
To the ledges of extremes
Don't believe it till you've held it
Life is seldom what it seems
But lay your heart upon the table
And in the shuffling of dreams
Remember who on earth you are

I need me
You need you
We want us

But of course you know I love you
Or what else am I here for
Only you not face to face
But side by side for evermore
And I need to be here with you
For without you what am I
Just another fool out searching
For some heaven in the sky
Take me closer to believing
Take me forward lead me on
Through collision and confusion
While there's life beneath the sun
You are the reason I continue
So near for so long
So close yet so far away

I need me
You need you
We want us to live forever
So don't let the curtain fall
Measure after measure
Of writing on the wall
That burns so brightly
It blinds us all

I need me
You need you
We want us to be together
On Sundays in the rain
Closer than forever
Against or with the grain
To ride the storms of love again


So be closer to believing
Though your world is torn apart
For a moment changes all things
And to end is but to start
And if your journey's unrewarded
May your God lift up your heart
You are windblown
But you are mine

#GregLake #CloserToBelieving #Anthology