When You Lie Next to Me

When You Lie Next to Me is the debut studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Kellie Coffey. Produced by Dann Huff, it was released on May 7, 2002, via BNA Records. While at a showcase in a Los Angeles restaurant where Coffey used to work at, she was signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. She would then move to Nashville where she would then be signed to BNA Records in 2001, which was the home of many big-name country artists like Kenny Chesney, Lonestar, and Merle Haggard. A songwriter, Coffey co-wrote seven of the 11 tracks on the album. As of 2024, it is Coffey's sole album released under a major record label.

The album officially spawned three singles. The title track, "When You Lie Next to Me", was released on December 3, 2001, as both the lead single and Coffey's official debut single. It proved to be a big hit, peaking at number eight on the US Hot Country Songs chart, making her the only female artist of 2002 to have their debut single reach the top ten. A crossover hit, it also reached number 14 on the Adult Contemporary chart and had minor airplay on some adult top-40 stations. She followed it up with the top-20 country hit, "At the End of the Day". The third and final single, "Whatever It Takes", proved less successful, failing to reach the top-forty.

Upon release, When You Lie Next to Me received mostly favorable reviews from music critics, calling it acceptable but felt the album didn't differ much from other albums of the time period. The album debuted at number 5 on the Top Country Albums chart, breaking the record for the highest female SoundScan debut since 1996 and the highest debuting album by a debuting artist during the year. Its success led Coffey to being award the Top New Female Vocalist award at the 2003 ACM Awards. As of September 5, 2003, the album has sold 415,000 copies in the United States.

Coffey attempted a second studio album for BNA titled A Little More Me. While two singles were officially released, "Texas Plates" and a cover of Luther Vandross' "Dance with My Father", the underperformance of these two singles led Coffey to being dropped by BNA in mid-2004 despite the entire album being finished. She would release her next album Walk On independently in 2007.

Critical reception
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic rated the album three stars out of five, describing Coffey as "a more approachable Faith Hill— her polished country-pop is every bit as urbane, yet it doesn't feel as glamorous." Country Standard Time reviewer Jeffrey B. Remz compared her vocals to those of Sara Evans, saying that Coffey's voice was "strong [and] full-bodied" but added that he thought the album lacked a sense of identity. Ray Waddell of Billboard gave it a mostly favorable review, praising Coffey's vocals, although he did note "Whatever It Takes" and the "Breathe-wannabe" title track as unmemorable. He ended his review by saying, "Producer Dann Huff paints a vibrant sonic picture, and Coffey definitely has the goods, particularly when she's allowed to take a chance here and there."

Personnel

 * Tim Akers – keyboards
 * Bruce Bouton – steel guitar
 * Mike Brignardello – bass guitar
 * David Campbell — string arrangements
 * Lisa Cochran – background vocals
 * J. T. Corenflos – electric guitar
 * Eric Darken – percussion
 * Paul Franklin – steel guitar
 * Dann Huff – electric guitar
 * Kim Keyes – background vocals
 * Billy Kirsch – piano
 * Paul Leim – drums
 * Brent Mason – electric guitar
 * Steve Nathan – keyboards
 * Chris Rodriguez – background vocals
 * Brent Rowan – electric guitar
 * Russell Terrell – background vocals
 * Biff Watson – acoustic guitar
 * John Willis – acoustic guitar
 * Glenn Worf – bass guitar
 * Jonathan Yudkin – fiddle, mandolin, cello