That's Why I'm Here

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 and at number 3 in Canada.

Reception

In regard to "Only One," Cash Box remarked, "Taylor breaks no new ground with this single, but his pure voice and beautiful sense of melody and harmony will be welcome," and said the album's title track is "a happy celebration of the artist's years as public property."

Billboard's review stated, "Taylor's calm manner and breezy, light rock melody belie some fairly complex conclusions in this autobiographical statement."

Track listing

All songs were written by James Taylor, except where noted.

Vinyl and Cassette

Side one

1. "That's Why I'm Here" – 3:39
2. "Song for You Far Away" – 2:58
3. "Only a Dream in Rio" (James Taylor, Jim Maraniss (Portuguese translation)) – 5:01
4. "Turn Away" – 3:25
5. "Going Around One More Time" (Livingston Taylor) – 3:27

Side two

6. "Everyday" (Buddy Holly, Norman Petty) – 3:16
7. "Limousine Driver" – 3:54
8. "Only One" – 4:22
9. "Mona" – 2:51
10. "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) – 3:46
11. "That's Why I'm Here (Reprise)" – 0:29

CD

1. "That's Why I'm Here" – 3:39
2. "Song for You Far Away" – 2:58
3. "Only a Dream in Rio" (James Taylor, Jim Maraniss (Portuguese translation)) – 5:01
4. "Turn Away" – 3:25
5. "Going Around One More Time" (Livingston Taylor) – 3:27
6. "My Romance" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 2:48 (CD bonus track)
7. "Everyday" (Buddy Holly, Norman Petty) – 3:16
8. "Limousine Driver" – 3:54
9. "Only One" – 4:22
10. "Mona" – 2:51
11. "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) – 3:46
12. "That's Why I'm Here (Reprise)" – 0:29

Personnel

Musicians

(keyed to vinyl) Template:Div col

• James Taylor – guitars, lead vocals, backing vocals (1, 2, 4–6, 9, 10)
• Clifford Carter – keyboards (1, 4)
• Don Grolnick – keyboards (1, 8)
• Bill Payne – keyboards (1, 2, 4–10)
• Dan Dugmore – steel guitar (2, 9) guitars (6)
• Jeff Pevar – guitars (4, 7)
• Tony Levin – bass (1–3, 5, 7, 8, 10)
• Leland Sklar – bass (4, 6)
• Russ Kunkel – drums (1–3, 5, 7–10)
• Rick Shlosser – drums (4, 6)
• Jimmy Maelen – percussion (1, 2, 5, 7, 8)
• Airto Moreira – percussion (3)
• Starz Vanderlocket – percussion (4)
• Greg "Fingers" Taylor – harmonica (5, 7)
• David Sanborn – saxophone (1, 7, 10)
• Michael Brecker – saxophone (7)
• Barry Rogers – trombone (7)
• Kenny Kosek – violin (7, 10)
• David Lasley – backing vocals (1, 4, 8)
• Deniece Williams – backing vocals (1)
• Randy Brecker – backing vocals (3), trumpet (7)
• Eliane Elias (credited as Elaine Eliaf) – backing vocals (3)
• Kenia Gould – backing vocals (3)
• Zbeto – backing vocals (3)
• Peter Asher – backing vocals (4)
• Rosemary Butler – backing vocals (4, 6)
• Frank Filipetti – backing vocals (4)
• Arnold McCuller – backing vocals (4, 6)
• Rory Dodd – backing vocals (5)
• Eric Troyer – backing vocals (5)
• Don Henley – backing vocals (9)
• Joni Mitchell – backing vocals (9)
• Graham Nash – backing vocals (9, 10)

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

Weekly charts

Chart (1985/86)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)	24
United States Billboard 200	34

Year-end charts

Chart (1986)	Position
U.S. Billboard 200	93