“Close Enough” by Stress Dolls – A Song Feature

 

      “Close Enough” embraces dualities, notably in the vocals and the lyrics. The lead vocals convey an emotional vulnerability with a passionate fearlessness in a vocal register that invites listeners to join. In comparison, the song from Stress Dolls is sprinkled with an almost angelic declaration of “I can’t keep running” in a challenging-to-join, high-register voice, where vulnerability resides in the voice, rather than the words. It’s an impressive combination from Chelsea O'Donnell.
 
     When initially focusing on the lyrics (included in this post), “Close Enough” comes across as a confession of the devotion to a romantic interest. There is a warmth in relating to the desirability of the romantic attachment, assuming it’s a mutual attraction. Then, reading the Stress Dolls’ explanation of the lyrics increases the relatability, but destroys the warmth. Celsea O'Donnell says that the song was primarily motivated by the isolation most of us experiencd during the “Covid lockdown:”
   “I wrote ‘Close Enough’ in the midst of the pandemic, a period where I didn’t see some of the people who mattered most to me for weeks at a time. On a subconscious level I think that inspired the lyrics in the chorus about being “close enough” to someone, but the other half was me thinking about the process of falling in love, and how you can be so wrapped up in another person that, no matter how physically and emotionally close you are to them (“even if you were a part of me/ even if you were alive in me”), it doesn’t feel like enough to express how you feel.”
 
     The credits for “Close Enough identify O’Donnell as the providing guitar and the vocals. Other contributors are Sean Dougherty (additional guitars), Jim Wirt (bass), and Jacob Kirkwood (drums and synth). The song was produced by Jim Wirt, whose past credits include Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin, Fiona Apple, and Incubus. It's the fourth single from my upcoming album “Queen of No.” The album is coming out on Sun Pedal Recordings in May 2024.
 
     Stress Dolls is the moniker of Chelsea O'Donnell, a songwriter from Buffalo, New York. The band takes on several forms, including solo O’Donnell and a performance-ready “full” band.
 
     “Close Enough” by Stress Dolls

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Website: https://stressdollsmusic.com/
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Lyrics of “Close Enough” by Stress Dolls
I can’t keep running
I can’t keep running
So we walk, we walk, we’re straddling the line
Between our thoughts and biding too much time
 
I can’t keep running
I can’t keep running
 
Stand down demons, we’re breaking even
I’ll give you my word if you hand me the knife
Twisting shoulders, we’re all getting older
 
So we walk, we walk, we’re straddling the line
Between our thoughts and biding too much time
And even if you were a part of me it would never be
Never be close enough
 
So we walk, we walk, we’re straddling the line
Between our thoughts and biding too much time
And even if you were alive in me it would never be
Never be close enough
 
Waiting softly, for someone to save me
It feels so wrong now but once I felt it was right
It only takes a second for us all to figure out
That no one’s coming and that’s what it’s all about
 
So we walk, we walk, we’re straddling the line
Between our thoughts and biding too much time
And even if you were a part of me it would never be
Never be close enough
 
So we walk, we walk, we’re straddling the line
Between our thoughts and biding too much time
And even if you were alive in me it would never be
Never be close enough
 
I can’t keep running
No I, I can’t keep, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t…
 
And even if you were alive in me it would never be
Never be close enough