"Just Once" by Quincy Jones with James Ingram

Song#:  0714
Date:  08/15/1981
Debut:  84
Peak:  17
Weeks:  23
Genre:  Adult Contemporary, Pop, R&B



Pop Bits:  Jones' Grammy-winning album "The Dude" got off to an okay start with the #28 single "Ai No Corrida." This second single would do much better by reaching the Top 20 (#11 R&B and #7 AC). Sung by James Ingram, it was his first hit and he received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Male Vocalist in addition to a nod for Best New Artist. Of the singles released from "The Dude," this one seems to have had the most impact as it has become an AC standard, thanks in part to Ingram's vocal work.

ReduxReview:  I totally fell for this song when it came out. It is a terrific ballad and Ingram just knocks it out of the park with his vocals. It's one of those recording where the vocals are so strong, that I just hate it when someone else tries to sing it. Ingram owned it and this is the way it was meant to be heard.

ReduxRating:  9/10

Trivia:  Ingram had not stepped out as a solo artist prior to his association with Quincy Jones. He did play piano and sing backup on some Ray Charles recordings in addition to vocal work on songs by Marvin Gaye. At one point, Ingram did a quick $50 demo of this song by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil for a publishing company. Quincy Jones happened to hear it and not only got the song for his album, but wanted Ingram to sing it as well. That lucky break got Ingram started on a successful solo career.

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