Copperline
single
CoverJames_Taylor_Copperline.jpeg
ArtistJames Taylor
AlbumNew Moon Shine
B-side"Slap Leather" · "Steamroller" (live)
Released1991
RecordedJune 1991
GenreAdult contemporary[1]
Length4:22
LabelColumbia
WriterJames Taylor · Reynolds Price
ProducerDon Grolnick · Danny Kortchmar
Prev year1988
Next year1991

"Copperline" is a song by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released in 1991 as the lead single from his thirteenth studio album New Moon Shine. The song was written by Taylor and poet Reynolds Price. Taylor has described the song as being "about home, about my father, about a childhood that was very peaceful, which is a rare thing today."[2]

Background

"Copperline" originated from an older song entitled "A Dog Named Blue"; after playing through the song's changes, Taylor created the line "down on Copperline" and developed the rest of the song from there.[3]

Charts

Chart (1991)Peak
position
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[4]10

References

  1. ^ Gundersen, Edna (July 13, 2020). "AARP's Spotlight on James Taylor Playlist". AARP. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  2. ^ Greene, Andy (August 20, 2015). "James Taylor: My Life in 15 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  3. ^ Zollo, Paul (August 2, 2021). "James Taylor: The American Songwriter Interview, Part II". American Songwriter. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  4. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 1685". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 28, 2026.