- Artist: Tony Orlando (from his solo pre-Dwan career)
 - peak Billboard position # 39 in 1961
 - later charted by Bobby Vinton at # 23 in 1968
 - Words and Music by Carole King and Gerry Goffin


 I want to be your lover
 But your friend is all I've stayed
 I'm only halfway to paradise
 So near, yet so far away

 I long for your lips to kiss my lips
 But just when I think they may
 You lead me halfway to paradise
 So near, yet so far away, mmm

 Bein' close to you is almost heaven (heaven)
 But seein' you can do just so much
 It hurts me so to know your heart's a treasure (treasure)
 And that my heart is forbidden to touch, so

 Put your sweet lips close to my lips
 And tell me that's where they're gonna stay
 Don't lead me halfway to paradise
 Mmm, so near, yet so far away

 Oh, uh, oh so near, yet so far away
 FADE
 Yeah, yeah so near, yet so far away


 Transcribed by Robin Hood