1987 Night Ranger – Big Life

Big Life is the fourth studio album by Night Ranger, released in 1987. It featured the single “The Secret of My Success”, which was written for the 1987 film of the same name starring Michael J. Fox. The single flopped, stalling outside the Top 40, peaking at No. 64. It was a top twenty hit on the Mainstream Rock Chart though, hitting number 12 and was one of the most played videos in the spring of 1987 on MTV. “Hearts Away” was the second single/video and peaked at No. 90 on the Hot 100 chart. The third single/video, “Color of Your Smile” failed to chart in the U.S. at all.

This album would be the last to feature soon-to-depart original keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald until his return to the band a decade later for the Neverland album.

Tracks

1  Big Life (Brad Gillis; Jack Blades) 05:18
2  Color Of Your Smile (Jack Blades) 04:12
3  Love Is Standing Near (Alan Fitzgerald; Jack Blades; Kelly Keagy) 04:26
4  Rain Comes Crashing Down (Jack Blades) 05:56
The Secret Of My Success (David Foster; Jack Blades; Mike Landau; Tom Keane) 04:27
6  Carry On (Jack Blades; Kelly Keagy) 04:22
7  Better Let It Go (Jack Blades; Kelly Keagy) 04:43
8  I Know Tonight (Jack Blades) 04:03
9  Hearts Away (Jack Blades) 05:00

Musicians

BassJack Blades
DrumsKelly Keagy
GuitarJeff Watson
GuitarBrad Gillis
KeyboardsAlan Fitzgerald
Background VocalsBrad Gillis
VocalsJack Blades
VocalsKelly Keagy

Other Musicians

5 The Secret Of My Success

BassJack Blades
DrumsKelly Keagy
Drums (overdubs)Tris Imboden
GuitarJeff Watson
GuitarBrad Gillis
GuitarMike Landau
KeyboardsAlan Fitzgerald
KeyboardsDavid Foster
ProgrammingMichael Boddicker
ProgrammingDavid Boruff
Background VocalsBrad Gillis
Background VocalsBill Champlin
VocalsJack Blades
VocalsKelly Keagy

Liner Notes

Producer – Night Ranger, Kevin Elson (Track 1 , 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Producer – David Foster (Track 5)
Engineer – Kevin Elson (tracks: B1)
Engineer (Additional) – Rick Hulbrook
Engineer (Assistant) – Frank Pekoc
Engineer (Assistant) – Tom Size, Wally Buck (Track 5)
Mixed By – David Thoener (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8)
Mixed By – Kevin Elson (Tracks 5, 7, 9)
Recorded By – Kevin Elson, Wally Buck

Art Direction – Jeff Adamoff
Design – L-Shape
Photography – Jim Shea

Mastered At Masterdisk
Mixed At Record Plant, NYC
Mixed At Fantasy Studios
Recorded At Fantasy Studios
Recorded At Chartmaker Studios
Phonographic Copyright MCA Records Inc
Copyright MCA Records Inc