<P> `` The Closer I Get to You '' is a romantic ballad performed by African American jazz , soul , R&B , and folk singer - songwriter Roberta Flack and African American soul musician Donny Hathaway . The song was written by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas , two former members of Miles Davis 's band , who were members of Flack 's band at the time . Produced by Atlantic Records , the song was released on Flack 's 1977 album Blue Lights in the Basement , and as a single in 1978 . It became a major crossover hit , becoming Flack 's biggest commercial hit after her success with her 1973 solo single , `` Killing Me Softly with His Song '' . Originally set as a solo - single , Flack 's manager , David Franklin , suggested a duet with Hathaway , which resulted in the finished work . </P>
<P> `` The Closer I Get to You '' is a romantic ballad performed by African American jazz , soul , R&B , and folk singer - songwriter Roberta Flack and African American soul musician Donny Hathaway . The song was written by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas , two former members of Miles Davis 's band , who were members of Flack 's band at the time . Produced by Atlantic Records , the song was released on Flack 's 1977 album Blue Lights in the Basement , and as a single in 1978 . It became a major crossover hit , becoming Flack 's biggest commercial hit after her success with her 1973 solo single , `` Killing Me Softly with His Song '' . Originally set as a solo - single , Flack 's manager , David Franklin , suggested a duet with Hathaway , which resulted in the finished work . </P>
who sings the closer i get to you
who sings the closer i get to you
Roberta Flack Donny Hathaway
Roberta Flack Donny Hathaway