LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a poignant twist to Liam Payne’s legacy, the late singer’s final recorded song, Closer to You, was revealed to be a heartfelt tribute to his former flame, supermodel Naomi Campbell. The pair enjoyed a brief romance in 2019, and Payne began writing the track shortly after their amicable breakup.
Initially abandoned, the song was finally recorded earlier this year, just months before the 31-year-old singer tragically passed away on October 16. Payne fell from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, leaving behind what he believed would be his next big hit.
A source close to Payne confirmed to the Daily Mail that Naomi Campbell was aware of the song’s deeply personal connection to her. “Liam and Naomi dated for three or four months, and like everything with Liam, he took it seriously. He was an emotional guy,” the insider shared. Despite their split, the pair remained friends until Payne’s untimely death.
The track’s lyrics are brimming with emotion and longing. Opening with, “Still smell your perfume in my room…,” Payne repeatedly pleads, “I want to love you,” while referencing Naomi as “the one who walked away.” According to the insider, Payne often joked that Campbell’s scent lingered long after she left, inspiring one of the song’s most evocative lines.
Closer to You was recorded over several sessions this summer, with Payne collaborating with renowned producer Rami Yacoub, who co-wrote One Direction’s iconic hit What Makes You Beautiful. Swedish music legend Max Martin also contributed to the track remotely. Payne reportedly felt reinvigorated working alongside Yacoub and Martin, believing the song would mark his grand return to the spotlight.
“Liam was thrilled to be back in the studio with Rami and Max. He was laughing and happy, convinced this song would be his comeback,” the source said. Yacoub, who had worked with Payne for over a decade, described him as “a wonderful human” in a heartfelt Instagram post, joking about their late-night recording sessions and Payne’s love for the process.
The final version of Closer to You was recorded during an eight-hour session in Sweden, with Payne fueled by nothing stronger than Red Bull. Tragically, the song now stands as a testament to his passion and talent, leaving fans with a bittersweet glimpse into the emotions of an artist gone too soon.
