"Just Once" is a 1981 single released from Quincy Jones' album The Dude on A&M Records. The song features James Ingram on vocals, and reached number 17 on the Billboard chart in the summer of 1981. Ingram was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 1982 Grammy Awards.
History and composition On a television program interview, Ingram stated that this song was a $50 demo done by ATV Music, composed by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Quincy Jones called back and wanted Ingram to sing on his album.
The song is composed originally in the key of C major. The bridge modulates to the key of A flat major, moves to B major, then to D major for the final chorus, finally ending in B major for the coda, representing the song's sad ending.
Personnel
James Ingram – lead vocal Steve Lukather – guitar Robbie Buchanan – acoustic piano, string synthesizer David Foster – acoustic and electric piano Greg Phillinganes – synthesizer Ian Underwood – synthesizer, synthesizer programming Abraham Laboriel – bass guitar John Robinson – drums Paulinho da Costa – percussion Patti Austin – background vocals Jerry Hey – horn arrangement, trumpet Chuck Findley – trumpet Bill Reichenbach Jr. – trombone Kim Hutchcroft – saxophone, flute Ernie Watts – saxophone, flute Johnny Mandel – string arrangement, synthesizer arrangement Gerald Vinci – concertmaster Quincy Jones – vocal arrangement, rhythm arrangement
Charts Chart (1982) Peakposition US Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - US Billboard R&B Singles US Billboard Adult Contemporary
Popular culture The song was featured prominently over the final scene of the 1982 film The Last American Virgin. The song was referenced in Quest for Ratings, the 11th Episode of the 8th Season of South Park when Stan says "We gave it our best" to which teacher Mr. Meryl responds "And I guess your best wasn't good enough".
References