From THE DUDE
Written by Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
A few years ago when David Foster was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Quincy Jones honored him with a special speech. Recently, Jones received a special Leadership Award by the Grammy Foundation, and Grammy board member Foster appeared as musical director for the star-studded event. These events further demonstrated the close friendship between the two legendary music makers that span thirty years of collaborations and hits. As a true mentor, Jones witnessed Foster’s growth from young session player to world-renowned producer/songwriter.
We’ve already mentioned the long list of hit albums produced by Jones that featured Foster’s multiple talents with top-notch results. Another of these special performances was the 1981 hit “Just Once.” This wonderful ballad, co-written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, presented James Ingram’s masterful, melodic voice to world audiences. The craft of the production and the beauty of the vocal and musical performances made “Just Once” a timeless work of art. Here, Foster shared the keyboards with Robbie Buchanan. Their outstanding work was interwoven with silky strings and horns and the smooth rhythm arrangement topped off by Ingram’s amazing vocals. Listening to this song, it’s easy to understand why Jones considers Ingram one of the best singers ever. “Just Once” was part of Jones’ 1981 release entitled “The Dude.” It’s a wonderful pop/soul collection filled with great stuff like the other Ingram signature ballad, “One Hundred Ways,” the classy instrumental “Velas” and the elegant up-tempo jam “Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me,” co-written by Stevie Wonder and sung by Patti Austin. The album was a major hit, reaching Billboard’s top ten. The disco anthem, “Ai No Corrida,” “Just Once” and “One Hundred Ways” were big hits on the Pop, Black and Adult Contemporary charts. “The Dude” was certified platinum and brought home four Grammy Awards.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/just_once.mp3|titles=Just once|artists=James Ingram]
Lead Vocals: James Ingram
Guitar: Steve Lukather – Bass: Abe Laboriel – Drums: John Robinson
Synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes & Ian Underwood (programming)
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Acoustic Piano & String Synthesizer: Robbie Buchanan
Acoustic & Electric Piano: David Foster
Horns: Jerry Hey, Chuck Findley, Kim Hutchcroft, Ernie Watts, Bill Reichenbach
Background Vocals: Patti Austin
Vocal & Rhythm Arrangement: Quincy Jones
String & Synthesizer Arrangement: Johnny Mandel
Horn Arrangement: Jerry Hey
Produced by Quincy Jones
Lyrics
I did my best
But I guess my best wasn’t good enough
‘Cause here we are back where we were before
Seems nothing ever changes
We’re back to being strangers
Wondering if we oughta stay
Or head on out the door
Just once can’t we figure out what we keep doing wrong
Why we never last for very long
What are we doing wrong
Just once can’t we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it
I gave my all
But I think my all may have been too much
‘Cause Lord knows we’re not getting anywhere
Seems we’re always blowing whatever we got going
And seems at times with all we’ve got
We haven’t got a prayer
Just once can’t we figure out what we keep doing wrong
Why the goodtimes never last for very long
Seems we’re always blowing
Whatever we got going
Just once can’t we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it
Just once I want to understand
Why it always come back to good-bye
Why can’t we get ourselves in hand
And admit to one another
That we’re no good with out the other
Take the best and make it better
Find a way to stay together
Just once can’t we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we can break through it
If we could just get to it
Just once
If we could get to it
Just Once…