Original Jay And The Americans version
In a little cafe just the other side of the border
She was a-sitting there a-giving me looks that make my mouth water
So I started walking her way
She belonged to Bad Man Jose
And I knew, yes, I knew I should leave
Then I heard her say, yeah, yeah
Come a little bit closer, you're my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer, I'm all alone
And the night is so long
So we started to dance
In my arms, she felt so inviting
That I just couldn't resist
A-just a-one little kiss, so exciting
Then I heard the guitar player say
"Vamoose, Jose's on his way"
Then I knew, yes, I knew I should run
But then I heard her say, yeah, yeah
Come a little bit closer, you're my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer, I'm all alone
And the night is so long
When the music stopped
When I looked, the cafe was empty
Then I heard Jose say
"Man, you know you're in trouble plenty"
So I dropped my drink from my hand
And through the window I ran
And as I rode away
I could hear her say to Jose, yeah, yeah
Come a little bit closer, you're my kind of man
So big and so strong
Come a little bit closer, I'm all alone
And the night is so long
La, la, la, la, la, la, la (closer)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la (closer)
Ho, ho, la, la (closer)
La, la, ho (closer)
Oh, my, my...
COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER is a song written by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, and Wes Farrel and was first released by Jay And The Americans as a single in 1964, with GOODBYE BOYS GOODBYE on the B-side (United Artists, catalogue # UA 759). The single reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER was also included on Jay And The Americans' 1964 album Come A Little Bit Closer (United Artists, mono catalogue # UAL-3407, stereo catalogue # UAS-6407).
The above lyrics are for the original Jay And The Americans version of COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER as released in 1964.
Bruce Springsteen has occasionally sung the first couple lines of COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER as an intro to ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) throughout his career — on the Born To Run Tour, the Born In The U.S.A. Tour, The Ghost Of Tom Joad Solo Acoustic Tour, and The Rising Tour. For an example, see the live 18 Nov 1975 version of ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT), which was released in 2005 on the Hammersmith Odeon, London '75 CD and DVD. Additionally, COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER was performed in full once, with Southside Johnny sharing lead vocals, on 29 Jan 2011 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a private fundraiser for Ranney School of Tinton Falls, NJ. No audio recording of that performance is in circulation.
Between 2002 and 2011, Bruce Springsteen played private benefit shows for schools and colleges that his kids attended ─ Rumson Country Day School of Rumson, NJ, and Ranney School of Tinton Falls, NJ, and Boston College of Chestnut Hill, MA. COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER was performed at one of these fundraisers, on 29 Jan 2011 in Asbury Park, NJ, backed by Bobby Bandiera and his band.
Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake at BTX and Greasy Lake) for the lyrics help.
List of available versions of COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER on this website:
COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER [Original Jay And The Americans version]