James Ingram - Just Once

"Just Once" is a song by James Ingram, released in 1981 as a single from his debut album If That's What It Takes. Written by the legendary songwriters Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and James Ingram himself, the song became one of his most iconic hits.

"Just Once" is a soulful ballad about the yearning for a love that can last. In the song, the protagonist expresses a desire for a single, perfect moment of love, hoping to experience it just once. The lyrics convey a longing for emotional connection and the hope that love can be simple and enduring, yet it is also filled with the sadness of knowing that achieving that is difficult.

The song showcases James Ingram's impressive vocal range and emotional delivery, and it became a hit on the Billboard charts, reaching the Top 20 on the Hot 100 and gaining significant radio airplay. It remains one of his signature songs and a classic of the 1980s R&B genre.

I did my best
But I guess my best wasn't good enough
Cause here we are
Back where we were before
Seems nothin' ever changes
We're back to being strangers
Wondering if we ought to stay
Or head on out the door

Just once

Can we figure out what we keep doin' wrong
Why we never last for very long
What are we doin' wrong?

Just once

Can we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
We could just get to it
I know we could break through it
Hmm hmm

I gave my all
But I think my all may have been too much
Cause Lord knows we're not gettin' anywhere
Seems we're always blowin'
Whatever we've got goin'
And it seems at times with all we've got
We haven't got a prayer...

Just once

Can we figure out what we keep doin' wrong
Why the good times never last for long
Where are we goin' wrong?

Just once

Can we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we could break through it
If we could just get to it

Just once
I want to understand...
Why it always comes back to goodbye
Why can't we get ourselves in hand
And admit to one another
We're no good without each other
Take the best and make it better
Find a way to stay together

Just once...

Can we find a way to finally make it right
Whoa
Make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we could break through it
If we could just get to it

Just Once...

Whoa, oh
We can get to it...

Just Once...