That's Why I'm Here

That's Why I'm Here
Studio album by
James Taylor
ReleasedOctober 1985 (1985-10)
Studios
GenreSoft rock
Length36:26
LabelColumbia/Legacy
Producers
James Taylor chronology
Dad Loves His Work
(1981)		 That's Why I'm Here
(1985)		 Classic Songs
(1987)
Singles from That's Why I'm Here
  1. "Everyday"
    Released: October 1985
  2. "Only One"
    Released: January 1986
  3. "That's Why I'm Here"
    Released: April 1986
  4. "Only a Dream in Rio"
    Released: August 1986

That's Why I'm Here is the eleventh studio album by singer-songwriter James Taylor released in 1985, four years after his previous effort, Dad Loves His Work. The album contains a version of Buddy Holly's "Everyday", as well as the participation of several singers, including Don Henley, Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash and Deniece Williams. "My Romance" was not on the LP or cassette version. "Only One" peaked at number 6 on the US Adult Contemporary chart[1] and at number 3 in Canada.[2]

Background

The recording sessions for That's Why I'm Here began a couple years prior to the album's release when Taylor recorded some songs in Montserrat. Taylor largely deemed the material from these sessions unsatisfactory, calling it a "half-hearted attempt at starting this thing". "Everyday" and "Turn Away" were generated from these sessions and ultimately appeared on the album. He later completed the album after determining that it was "long overdue", adding that "when we did get it in, it felt like the right time [and] really went quite quickly."[3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarHalf star[4]
Encyclopedia of Popular MusicStarStarStarStar[5]
MusicHound2/5[6]
Rolling Stone(favorable)[7]
The Rolling Stone Album GuideStarStar[8]

Billboard called the album "another set of fine originals spiced with cover versions of a pair of carefully chosen oldies".[9] In its review of the album, Cashbox said that Taylor had "refined his music to artful songwriting", with songs such as the title track and "Everyday" possessing a "pleasing familiarity".[10]

Discussing the title track, Billboards review stated, "Taylor's calm manner and breezy, light rock melody belie some fairly complex conclusions in this autobiographical statement."[11] In regard to "Only One," Cashbox remarked, "Taylor breaks no new ground with this single, but his pure voice and beautiful sense of melody and harmony will be welcome,"[12] and said the album's title track is "a happy celebration of the artist's years as public property."[13]

Track listing

All tracks are written by James Taylor, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."That's Why I'm Here" 3:37
2."Song for You Far Away" 2:52
3."Only a Dream in Rio"
  • Taylor
  • Jim Maraniss[a]
4:58
4."Turn Away" 3:20
5."Going Around One More Time"Livingston Taylor3:22
Total length:18:09
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Everyday"
3:14
2."Limousine Driver" 3:48
3."Only One" 4:19
4."Mona" 2:48
5."(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance"
3:44
6."That's Why I'm Here (Reprise)" 0:24
Total length:18:17
CD and digital bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."My Romance"
2:46
Total length:39:12

Personnel

Musicians

(keyed to vinyl)

Production

  • Producers – Frank Filipetti and James Taylor
  • Production Assistants – Graham Holmes and Edd Kolakowski
  • Recorded and Mixed by Frank Filipetti
  • Assistant Engineers – Renatta Blauer, Moira Marquis and Billy Miranda.
  • Mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
  • Art Direction – John Berg
  • Front Cover Photo – Andrew Brucker
  • Back Cover Photo – Patricia Caulfield

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

  1. ↑ Portuguese translation

References

  1. ↑ "Billboard – Adult Contemporary Chart", Billboard, retrieved December 23, 2017
  2. ↑ "RPM – Adult Contemporary Chart", RPM, July 17, 2013, retrieved December 23, 2017
  3. ↑ Fell, Ron; Rufer, Diane (January 31, 1986). "James Taylor: Together Again" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 79. Retrieved March 19, 2026 – via World Radio History.
  4. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. That's Why I'm Here at AllMusic
  5. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2007). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
  6. ↑ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 1125. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  7. ↑ McAlley, John (December 5, 1985). "James Taylor: That's Why I'm Here : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 10, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  8. ↑ "James Taylor: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. October 26, 1985. p. 78. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Album Releases" (PDF). Cashbox. November 2, 1985. p. 12. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Reviews". Billboard. May 10, 1986. p. 79. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cashbox. February 1, 1986. p. 11. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cashbox. May 10, 1986. p. 11. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  14. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 305. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  15. ↑ "Allmusic: That's Why I'm Here: Charts & Awards: Billboard Albums". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Billboard.BIZ  – Year-end Charts – Billboard 200 – 1986". billboard.biz. Retrieved November 17, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  17. ↑ "American album certifications – James Taylor – That's Why I'm Here". Recording Industry Association of America.
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