What About Me? is the sixteenth studio album by American singer Kenny Rogers, released by RCA Records in 1984. The album's title track, "What About Me?", is sung in trio with R&B singer James Ingram and Kim Carnes, which reached number one on the AC charts and was also a pop and country hit, giving co-writer Richard Marx his first number one hit as a writer. Marx's second number one hit as a writer was the song "Crazy", which was included on the album.
Elsewhere on the album is "Two Hearts, One Love" by Byron Hill, and "Pickin' Up Strangers," released on Johnny Lee's Lookin' for Love album, and "The Stranger" (a story song in the vein of Rogers' previous hits such as "The Gambler" and "Lucille"), "The Night Goes On" (a R&B influenced ballad).
This album continued Rogers' long Platinum streak, quickly selling over a million copies.
Track listing
Personnel Kenny Rogers – lead vocals, backing vocals Erich Bulling – keyboards, synthesizer programming Jimmy Cox – keyboards David Foster – keyboards, arrangements John Hobbs – keyboards Tom Keane – keyboards Randy Kerber – keyboards Marcus Ryle – keyboards, synthesizer programming Dann Huff – guitars Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars Michael Landau – guitars Fred Tackett – guitars Kin Vassy – guitars, backing vocals Billy Joe Walker Jr. – guitars Dennis Belfield – bass Joe Chemay – bass Nathan East – bass Neil Stubenhaus – bass Ed Greene – drums John Robinson – drums Sheila E. – percussion Steve Forman – percussion Michael Temple – percussion Gary Herbig – saxophone Jeremy Lubbock – string arrangements and conductor (3, 5, 8) Kim Carnes – lead and backing vocals (1) James Ingram – lead and backing vocals (1) Kenny Cetera – backing vocals Cindy Fee – backing vocals, lead vocals (5) Portia Griffin – backing vocals Richard Marx – backing vocals Herb Pedersen – backing vocals Kenny Rogers II – backing vocals Terry Williams – backing vocals
Production Kenny Rogers – producer (1, 3–6, 9, 10) David Foster – producer (1, 2, 7, 8) Humberto Gatica – engineer, mixing Steve Crimmel – additional engineer Reginald Dozier – additional engineer Mark Ettel – additional engineer Larry Ferguson – additional engineer Tom Fouce – additional engineer John Guess – additional engineer Paul Lani – additional engineer David Leonard – additional engineer Laura Livingston – additional engineer Stephen Shelton – additional engineer Wally Traugott – mastering at Capitol Mastering (Hollywood, California) Marge Meoli – A&R coordinator Debbie Caponetta – production assistant John Coulter – art direction Mario Casilli – photography Reid Miles – photography Ken Kragen – management
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1984–1985) Peak position Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 30
Year-end charts Chart (1985) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 32
Further utilization The song "The Night Goes On" was used as a love theme for the Eden Capwell and Cruz Castillo characters on the Santa Barbara TV series.
References