[Style: 1970s soul, funk, brass section, tenor sax, trumpet, baritone sax, soulful horn section, punchy brass, tight arrangement, motown style, analog production, funky, Roger Troutman style talkbox, Saw wave synthesizer]
[Intro – Spoken Word, soft keys + pads]
Yeah…
Everybody got people… but not everybody got presence
Some walk with you… until it gets heavy
But there’s One… who never leaves
Proverbs 18:24… yeah
He’s closer… than a brother
[no sparse verse]
[no quiet intro]
[no acapella]
[Soulful Horn Section Intro]
[Verse 1 - Full band, driving rhythm, Funk guitar, deep bass, punchy drums, horn hits, Gospel Groove, Smooth R&B groove]
I had a circle, yeah they stayed around
Laughin’ with me, liftin’ me up when I was feelin’ down
But when the road got rough, I looked and they were gone
Had to face that storm… all alone
[Talkbox Vocals]
They said “I got you,” but they couldn’t stay
Turned their backs slowly, drifted away
But in the silence, when the noise was gone
I felt a love that was steady and strong
[Pre-Chorus – Build with harmonies, clean vocals]
When everybody else walked out on me
You stepped in right on time
Never left, never changed on me
Your love don’t come with conditions or lines
[Chorus – Full gospel/R&B blend, choir enters]
You’re closer than a brother
Right there when I call Your name
Through the stormy weather
You never change, You stay the same
[Talkbox Vocals]
When friends walk away, You pull me near
Wipe every doubt, erase my fear
Closer than a brother, I see
You’ve always been right here with me
[Verse 2 – Add organ + stronger groove, clean vocals]
Some companions led me down wrong roads
Smilin’ in my face but heavy on my soul
Let me slip, didn’t say a word
But You corrected me with love I heard
[Talkbox Vocals]
You didn’t leave me the way I was
You saw the mess but still showed love
Picked me up, turned me around
Placed my feet on higher ground
[Pre-Chorus 2 – More intensity, clean vocals]
When I was drifting far away
You called me back again
Not just a Savior, not just a King
But a faithful, constant friend
[Chorus – Bigger, choir stronger]
You’re closer than a brother
Right there when I call Your name
Through the stormy weather
You never change, You stay the same
When friends walk away, You pull me near
Wipe every doubt, erase my fear
Closer than a brother, I see
You’ve always been right here with me
[Bridge – Breakdown, emotional + call & response]
(Lead) Who stayed when everybody left me?
(Choir) You did, You did
(Lead) Who held me when I felt so empty?
(Choir) You did, You did
(Lead) Not just words, but You showed me love
(Choir) Closer than a brother!
(Lead) Never left, never gave up
(Choir) Closer than a brother!
[Vamp – Upbeat, repeat & build]
Closer, closer, closer than a brother
Never leave, never leave, You recover
Closer, closer, closer than a brother
You stayed with me, no other lover
[Outro – Soft fade, keys + pads]
A man of many companions may fall…
But You… You stayed
Closer than a brother…always
