Classic Songs

Classic Songs
Compilation album by
James Taylor
Released1987 (1987)
GenreSoft rock, folk rock
Length58:12
LabelCBS/WEA
James Taylor chronology
That's Why I'm Here
(1985) 		Classic Songs
(1987) 		Never Die Young
(1988)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic.com[1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]

Classic Songs is the second compilation album by James Taylor. Only available in Europe it was, for a long time, the only compilation album to feature original versions of Taylor's classics. It spanned from his original work to his That's Why I'm Here album from 1985.[3]

Track listing

All songs by James Taylor except where indicated.

Side 1

  1. "Fire and Rain" – 3:25
  2. "Mexico" – 3:00
  3. "You've Got a Friend" (Carole King) – 4:30
  4. "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" (Holland–Dozier–Holland) – 3:36
  5. "Carolina in My Mind" – 4:00
  6. "Something in the Way She Moves" – 3:09
  7. "Shower the People" – 4:32
  8. "Sweet Baby James" – 2:52

Side 2

  1. "That's Why I'm Here" – 3:38
  2. "Everyday" (Holly, Petty) – 3:12
  3. "Up on the Roof" (Goffin, King) – 4:20
  4. "Your Smiling Face" – 2:42
  5. "Her Town Too" (Souther, Taylor, Wachtel) – 4:25
  6. "Handy Man" (Blackwell, Jones) – 3:17
  7. "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" – 2:36
  8. "Only a Dream in Rio" – 4:58

Charts

Chart performance for Classic Songs
Chart (1987–1989) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[4] 48
UK Albums (OCC)[5] 53

Certifications

Certifications for Classic Songs
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[6] Silver 60,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Allmusic.com review
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (2007). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
  3. ^ Woodstra, Chris. "Classic Songs - James Taylor". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
  4. ^ "Australiancharts.com – James Taylor – Classic Songs". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  5. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  6. ^ "British album certifications – James Taylor – Classic Songs". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 11, 2022.