About The Song
Watch Closely Now: A Duet of Love, Loss, and Redemption
In the realm of country music, few names resonate with the same level of gravitas and authenticity as Kris Kristofferson. A true bard of the American experience, Kristofferson’s songwriting has captured the hearts of millions with its unflinching honesty, poetic lyricism, and timeless melodies. Among his vast repertoire of enduring classics, “Watch Closely Now” stands as a poignant duet that explores the complexities of love, loss, and the enduring power of human connection.
Released in 1976 as part of the soundtrack for the remake of “A Star Is Born”, “Watch Closely Now” brought together Kristofferson’s raspy, world-weary vocals with the soaring, emotive voice of Barbra Streisand. The result was a musical masterpiece that perfectly captured the film’s central themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the transformative power of love.
From the opening lines, “Watch Closely Now” establishes an atmosphere of raw emotion and vulnerability. Kristofferson’s opening verse paints a vivid picture of a couple on the edge of precipice, their relationship teetering on the brink of collapse. The lyrics, “I see the hunger arise in your eyes and it’s a-urging me on / Higher and harder and faster and farther / Than I’ve ever gone”, capture the desperation and intensity of their love, a love that burns so brightly that it threatens to consume them both.
Streisand’s response, “You’re comin’ closer lady / Don’t ya leave me now / We’re gonna make it / Don’t look down”, is a plea for connection and reassurance, a desperate attempt to salvage the fragments of their love amidst the chaos. Her voice, soaring above Kristofferson’s gritty tones, adds a touch of hope and yearning to the song, suggesting that despite the challenges they face, there is still a glimmer of light in their relationship.
The chorus, “Maybe I’m takin’ me too many chances / With no net at all / Maybe I’ll teach you at least that / You’ve got to be free when you fall”, encapsulates the central theme of the song: the willingness to risk everything for love, even if it means facing the possibility of heartbreak. It’s a message of resilience and self-reliance, a reminder that true love requires the courage to take risks and embrace vulnerability.
Throughout the song, the imagery of a metaphorical tightrope walk weaves its way through the lyrics, symbolizing the precarious nature of the couple’s relationship. “Watch closely now – are you watching me now?” Kristofferson sings, urging his partner to pay attention, to be fully present in the moment, even as they teeter on the edge of disaster.
As the song reaches its crescendo, the lyrics shift from a focus on the individual to a broader reflection on the human condition. “I’m the master magician, who’s setting you free / From the lies you’ve been told / When they’re breaking your back / Bring your last straw to me / I turn straw into gold”, Kristofferson sings, offering himself as a savior, a source of hope and transformation for his partner.
The final lines, “I’m gonna need you later / When you’re not around / But I can take it / Don’t look down”, leave the listener with a sense of bittersweet hope. Despite the uncertainty of their future, the couple finds solace in the knowledge that they have shared something profound, a connection that will forever bind them together.
“Watch Closely Now” is a timeless duet that transcends the boundaries of genre and era. It is a song about love in its rawest, most unfiltered form, a love that is both exhilarating and terrifying, a love that demands everything from those who dare to experience it. With its poignant lyrics, soaring melodies, and heartfelt performances, “Watch Closely Now” is a testament to the enduring power of music to touch our souls and connect us to the depths of human emotion.