"Every Time I Close My Eyes" is a song written, produced and performed by American musician Babyface. It was released as the second single from his fourth album, The Day (1996). Mariah Carey performs the backing vocals, after Babyface did the same for her on "Melt Away", a track written by both, included on her 1995 album Daydream. It also has a participation by Kenny G playing saxophone. An alternate version without Carey's vocals and additional sax elements is included on Kenny G's The Moment (1996).
On the AllMusic review, "Every Time I Close My Eyes" was awarded with three stars out of five.[3]Larry Flick from Billboard praised the song, writing that it shows Babyface "at his all-around best." He added, "Complemented by harmonies from Mariah Carey, he weaves a sweetly romantic tale on top of a quietly shuffling pop/R&B groove. His performance has an engaging, soulful flexibility that never flies over the top into over-compensation. He's wise enough to let the song properly unfold and work its magic. There is no doubt that listeners of every imaginable format will be humming this gem within seconds—and then for months to come."[4] A reviewer from Music Week rated it four out of five, stating that "multi-talented Babyface shows why he is worth 12 Grammy nominations on this classy, sultry ballad on which he is joined by Mariah Carey and Kenny G."[5] The magazine's Alan Jones complimented it as "one of the cutest little Babyface records yet—a pretty, easy-paced ballad impeccably played and sung with sweetly cooed verses and a chorus which sticks in the brain."[6]
Chart performance
The track debuted at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated February 1, 1997[7] and climb to its peak at number six seven weeks later, spending 26 weeks in the chart.[8] On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaked at number 5.[9] Overseas, the single reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. At the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Year-End charts of 1997, this song ranked at number 26.[10][11] "Every Time I Close My Eyes" was certified gold by the RIAA and sold 700,000 copies.[12][13]
