Right by You explained

Right by You is the sixth album by American singer-songwriter Stephen Stills, released in 1984. This is his last solo recording released on a major label, and was a critical and commercial failure peaking at number 75 on the US charts. It was also his only solo album of the 1980s.

Background and recording

In 1984, Stills re-signed with Atlantic Records to make a solo album, in which Stills embraced the 80s production sounds. Jimmy Page guested on a few tracks. It was recorded at DB Sounds, Miami, Criteria Studios, Miami, Westlake Audio, Los Angeles and Sol Studios, Berkshire, which was Jimmy Page's home studio. A music video was made for the song "Stranger." It involved Stills driving around in a speedboat, which was also pictured on the back cover of the album with Stills and Tony Garcia, the speedboat racing world champion.^[1]

Release

The album charted at number 75 on the Billboard charts, and three singles were released: "Stranger", "Can't Let Go", and his cover of Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," of which only the first two charted at numbers 61 and 67 respectively.^[2]

Charts

Album

Chart performance for Right By You!Chart (1984)!Peakposition

US Billboard Top LPs & Tape[3]	75
US Cash Box Top 100 Albums[4]	92

Singles

Sales chart performance for singles from Right By You!Year!Single!Chart!Position

1984	"Stranger"	US Billboard Hot 100	61
		US Billboard Mainstream Rock	12
		US Top Singles (Cash Box) [5]	63
	"Can't Let Go"	US Billboard Hot 100	67
		US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[6]	17
		US Top Singles (Cash Box) [7]	77

Personnel

• Stephen Stills – vocals, drums (1, 2, 4, 5), percussion (1, 2, 4, 5), keyboards (2, 4, 5, 7), guitars (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10), bass (3, 4, 5, 8), bass solo (5), backing vocals (6), arrangements
• Lawrence Dermer – keyboards (1, 2, 4–8) bass (6), arrangements
• Mike Finnigan – keyboards (1, 2, 5–7, 8), backing vocals (1, 2, 4–9) organ (10), arrangements
• Kim Bullard – keyboards (2, 7)
• Jimmy Page – guitars (1, 3, 10)
• Bernie Leadon – guitars (3, 9), vocals (9)
• Herb Pedersen – banjo (9), backing vocals (9)
• Chris Hillman – mandolin (9), backing vocals (9)
• George "Chocolate" Perry – bass (1, 2, 5, 7, 10), guitars (4)
• Jerry Scheff – bass (9)
• Joe Galdo – drums (1–8, 10), percussion (1, 2, 4, 5), arrangements
• Joe Lala – percussion (1, 2, 5), drums (2, 5), cardboard box (9)
• John Kricker – trombone (1)
• Tony Concepcion – trumpet (1)
• Al De Gooyer – trumpet (1)
• Graham Nash – backing vocals (1, 2, 7, 8, 9)
• John Sambataro – backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 6)

Production

• Richard Wendell – executive producer
• Stephen Stills – producer
• Howard Albert – producer, recording, mixing
• Ron Albert – producer, recording, mixing
• Steve Alaimo – associate producer, producer (6)
• Ric Butz – engineer
• Mark Draeb – engineer
• Stuart Epps – engineer
• Bruce Hensal – engineer
• Mike Fuller – mastering at Criteria Studios
• Doug Morris – production advisor
• Larry "Rocky" Williams – art direction, cover design, painting, back cover photography
• Alton Kelly – cover design, painting

The album was dedicated to Felix Pappalardi, Marvin Gaye, Dennis Wilson and J. C. Agajanian.

Notes and References

1. Liner Notes of the Album
2. Stephen Stills. Billboard. 2020-04-18.
3. Stephen Stills. 2020-07-05. Billboard.
4. Web site: CASH BOX MAGAZINE: Music and coin machine magazine 1942 to 1996. 2020-07-05. worldradiohistory.com.
5. Web site: CASH BOX MAGAZINE: Music and coin machine magazine 1942 to 1996. 2020-07-05. worldradiohistory.com.
6. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Stephen Stills|chart=Adult Contemporary}} Stephen Stills Chart History]. September 3, 2016. Billboard.
7. Web site: CASH BOX MAGAZINE: Music and coin machine magazine 1942 to 1996. 2020-07-05. worldradiohistory.com.