Greg Lake

Closer To Believing 

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