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.
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."
Critical reception
Billboard called the album "another set of fine originals spiced with cover versions of a pair of carefully chosen oldies". 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".
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." 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," and said the album's title track is "a happy celebration of the artist's years as public property."
Track listing
Personnel
Musicians
(keyed to vinyl)
- 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, 7–10)
- 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 (8)
- Joni Mitchell – backing vocals (8)
- 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
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Chart (1985/86)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
|Australia (Kent Music Report)
| style="text-align:center;"|24
|-
|align="left"|United States Billboard 200
|34
|}
Year-end charts
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!Chart (1986)
!Position
|-
|align="left"|U.S. Billboard 200
|93
|}