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Gorilla

by James Taylor

Released: May 11, 1975

Soft rock, folk rock

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"Gorilla" is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released in May 1975. Gorilla highlighted Taylor's electric and lighter musical style, continuing the shift from his earlier work. Additionally, Jimmy Buffett later recorded "Mexico" for his 1995 album Barometer Soup and performed "Lighthouse" during his 2005 tour.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

This album marked Taylor's second-to-last release of new…

This album marked Taylor's second-to-last release of new material for Warner Bros.

Records, with In the Pocket following

Records, with In the Pocket following.

The song "Sarah Maria" is a tribute to…

The song "Sarah Maria" is a tribute to his daughter, Sally (born Sarah Maria Taylor).

Taylor's then-wife, Carly Simon, contributed to the album…

Taylor's then-wife, Carly Simon, contributed to the album by featuring on "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," a cover of Marvin Gaye's classic.

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Explore the Album

James Taylor - Gorilla

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Then

Reception

It enjoyed greater success than his previous album, Walking Man, with two singles, "Mexico" and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," reaching the top five on the Billboard charts.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Gorilla" is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released in May 1975. It enjoyed greater success than his previous album, Walking Man, with two singles, "Mexico" and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," reaching the top five on the Billboard charts. This album marked Taylor's second-to-last release of new material for Warner Bros. Records, with In the Pocket following.

Gorilla highlighted Taylor's electric and lighter musical style, continuing the shift from his earlier work. The song "Sarah Maria" is a tribute to his daughter, Sally (born Sarah Maria Taylor). Taylor's then-wife, Carly Simon, contributed to the album by featuring on "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," a cover of Marvin Gaye's classic. Additionally, Jimmy Buffett later recorded "Mexico" for his 1995 album Barometer Soup and performed "Lighthouse" during his 2005 tour.