Back in Your Life (Jonathan Richman album)

Back in Your Life is an album by American rock band Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers released in February 1979. Despite being credited to Richman and his backing band, the album only features the backing band on half of the album.

Back in Your Life
Studio album by
Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
ReleasedFebruary 1979
Genre
Length32:39
LabelBeserkley
Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers chronology
Rock 'n' Roll with the Modern Lovers
(1977)		 Back in Your Life
(1979)		 Jonathan Sings!
(1983)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Robert ChristgauB+[2]

Background

The album marks an experimental venture away from the Modern Lovers' typical rock sound, mostly owing to a new backing band accompanying Richman. The album ventures into genres like doo-wop and children's music.[3]

In 2019, the album was reissued on silver-colored vinyl.[4]

Reception

Stephen Cook of AllMusic called the album "Sweet, fun, and honest", noting Richman's "unbridled enthusiasm, wit, and crack songs".

Smash Hits said, "The world's cleverest clown opts for a cheapo '50s style sound this time out as he jaunts and quavers through this collection with his usual mixture of humour and touching honesty. It's distinctive alright."[5] Robert Christgau said, "I'd say this is great kiddie music--lotsa innocence, lotsa animal songs, even a snot joke."[2]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jonathan Richman, unless otherwise noted.

No.TitleLength
1."Abdul and Cleopatra"3:18
2."(She's Gonna) Respect Me"2:49
3."Lover Please" (Billy Swan)1:58
4."Affection"4:06
5."Buzz Buzz Buzz" (John Gray, Robert Byrd)1:58
6."Back in Your Life"2:14
7."Party in the Woods Tonight"3:01
8."My Love is a Flower (Just Beginning to Bloom)"2:20
9."I'm Nature's Mosquito"2:45
10."Emaline" (traditional, arr. by Richman)2:07
11."Lydia" (Lewis Lymon, Morgan Robinson)3:11
12."I Hear You Calling Me" (Charles Marshall, Harold Harford)2:52
Total length:32:39

Personnel

Adapted from CD liner notes:

  • Jonathan Richman – vocals, guitar
  • Leroy Radcliffe – guitar, vocals
  • D. Sharpe – drums, percussion, vocals
  • Asa Brebner – bass guitar, vocals
  • Andy Paley – guitar, backing vocals
  • Don Gladstone – double bass
  • Skip Duelks – backing vocals
  • Steve Tracey – backing vocals
  • Kenny Laguna – glockenspiel, backing vocals, producer

Additional personnel and production

  • Glen Kolotkin – engineer, producer
  • Matthew King Kaufman – producer

References
  1. "Back in Your Life - Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers". AllMusic. AllMusic, Netaktion LLC. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  2. Christgau, Robert. "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers". Robert Christgau. Robert Christgau. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  3. Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. p. 874. ISBN 9781843531050. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  4. "JONATHAN RICHMAN & THE MODERN LOVERS - Back In Your Life: Silver Vinyl LP". The Sound of Vinyl. The Sound of Vinyl. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  5. Red Starr (3 May 1979). "Albums". Smash Hits. No. 11.


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