Ingram was born in Houston, Texas. He started writing songs and performing while studying psychology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he was member of Alpha Tau Omega.
Jack Ingram began his music career singing at a privately owned bar near the TCU campus of Fort Worth, Texas, which was owned by his friend John Clay Wolfe. Later, during the early 1990s, Jack toured the state of Texas opening for Mark Chesnutt and other acts. His first release was his self-titled album in 1995 via the Rhythmic label, followed by 1995's Lonesome Questions. Warner Bros. Records eventually signed him and released a live album entitled Live at Adair's, and re-issued his first two indie albums.
In 1997 he had his first and only time on the 22nd season of Austin City Limits. That same year, he released Livin' or Dyin' via Rising Tide Records, which produced his first chart single in the No. 51-peaking "Flutter". Two years later came Hey You via Lucky Dog, a division of Epic Records, which accounted for a No. 64 country single in "How Many Days". In 2000, he collaborated with Charlie Robison and Bruce Robison for the live album Unleashed Live.
Electric, his second album for Lucky Dog, was also his first album to enter Top Country Albums, despite not producing a chart single. This album was supplemented a year later by an EP entitled Electric: Extra Volts before he left Lucky Dog. Two more live albums followed before he signed to Columbia Records for the release of Young Man in 2004, which accounted for no singles. Another live album, Acoustic Motel, was issued in 2005.
On Sunday, February 3, 2013, H-E-B premiered their 'Texas Myths' Super Bowl commercial featuring Jack Ingram.
In 2005, Ingram signed to the independent record label Big Machine Records. Under the Big Machine banner, Ingram released a predominantly live album entitled Live: Wherever You Are. His first single release on that record label, "Wherever You Are", became Ingram's first top 40, and later his first Number One single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, as well as the first Number One for the Big Machine label. "Love You", the only other studio track on Live: Wherever You Are, was also released as a single, peaking at No. 12 on the charts. This song was also recorded by Trent Summar & the New Row Mob (whose frontman, Trent Summar, co-wrote it) on their 2005 album Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. This is also where he met famous country music artist Taylor Swift. Jack stated they were developing a relationship though she wasn't interested.
In late 2006, Ingram released a cover of Hinder's song "Lips of an Angel". Ingram's cover peaked at No. 16 on the country charts "Lips of an Angel" was the lead-off single to This Is It, his second album for Big Machine. This album also produced the No. 18 "Measure of a Man" (a Radney Foster co-write) and the No. 24 "Maybe She'll Get Lonely".
In 2008, Ingram appeared at the Argyle Education Foundation Black Diamond Affiar.
He won the Academy of Country Music award for top new male vocalist on May 19, 2008. Ingram also filled in for radio host Bob Kingsley on the countdown show "Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40" for the week of September 20–21, 2008.
According to CMT, Ingram's Big Dreams & High Hopes album has "more guts" and Ellis Paul's "The World Ain't Slowing Down" may be the song that takes Ingram to the "next level". Ingram says "It'll be fun for me to expose people to a fantastic song from an artist who's had a 20-year career of being a very successful folk artist." The song was cut from the album. Its lead-off single "That's a Man" charted in the Top 20, followed by "Barefoot and Crazy," which became his second Top 10 hit. The album's next three singles all failed to enter the Top 40: "Seeing Stars" (a duet with Patty Griffin), "Free" and a re-recording of "Barbie Doll" with guest vocals from Dierks Bentley.
On August 26, 2009, Ingram set a Guinness record for the most radio interviews in one day, when he was interviewed 215 times.
Ingram and Big Machine amicably parted ways in late 2011.
As a sideline, Ingram does voice imaging for a number of country stations, including KRYS-FM Corpus Christi; WSIX-FM Nashville; WMIL-FM Milwaukee; KWJJ-FM Portland, Ore.; and KSCS Dallas.
In 2013, Jack teamed up with actor Matthew McConaughey and University of Texas at Austin football coach Mack Brown to create a fundraiser for their favorite children's charities. Dubbed Mack, Jack & McConaughey, the affair was held April 11–12 at Austin's ACL Live at the Moody Theater and featured a gala, golf tournament, fashion show and two nights of music. Mack, Jack & McConaughey returned in 2014.
Easy As 1 2 3
Jack Ingram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everywhere I go it's always the same
Got a hole in my heart that I cannot name
And I just can't keep on trying to
The other day you should've heard my girl
I came home laughing as the flags unfurled
She said you better find a way to loving this world
I need something that make me feel better
Something simple and not for me
I need something that make me feel better
Something as easy as 1, 2, 3, something as easy as 1, 2, 3
Everything I wanted is so over-rated
I almost had it all and I'm still frustrated
Why's it got to be so damn complicated
Sometimes I just can't take it
I need something that make me feel better
Something simple and not for me
I need something that make me feel better
Something as easy as 1, 2, 3, something as easy as 1, 2, 3
I need something, I need something, I need something
I walk outside and I stare at the sky
In sight of second a star shoots by
And I think to myself, man what a lucky guy
And blink and I would've missed it
I need something that make me feel better
Something simple and not for me
I need something that make me feel better
Something as easy as 1, 2, 3
I need something that make me feel better
Something simple and not for me
I need something that make me feel better
Something as easy as 1, 2, 3, something as easy as 1, 2, 3
In Jack Ingram's song "Easy As 1 2 3," the lyrics express a sense of longing for simplicity and ease in the midst of frustration and complications. The opening lines suggest a general sense of societal blame-shifting and a personal sense of emotional turmoil. The singer is seeking something that will make him feel better, something that is simple and not modeled for him. He's not specific about what he's looking for, just that he needs it. The second verse highlights the singer's feelings of discontent despite his past successes; everything he once wanted now feels overrated, and he's still frustrated. The singer then goes out and looks at the sky, and sees a shooting star, realizing how fortunate he is, but also recognizing how quickly such moments can pass by.
Perhaps the overarching theme of this song is how elusive true contentment can be. The singer is longing for something to fill a hole in his heart that he cannot name. He's not even sure what he's looking for, but he knows that he needs something that will make him feel better. The idea of simplicity—something "as easy as 1,2,3"—is echoed throughout the song. This could be interpreted in a number of ways. Perhaps the singer is seeking a simpler life overall, or perhaps he's looking for simpler emotions, something to offset the complicated feelings he's experiencing. It's possible that he's struggling with depression, as he describes feeling frustrated and unable to cope with the complexities of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody is looking for someone to blame
Everyone is searching for a person or entity to fault for their problems.
Everywhere I go it's always the same
I find that my experiences tend to be monotonous and repetitive regardless of location.
Got a hole in my heart that I cannot name
There's a void or emptiness within me that I can't quite identify or explain.
And I just can't keep on trying to
I am unable to continue putting in effort towards something that I don't find fulfilling or rewarding.
The other day you should've heard my girl
Recently my significant other said something noteworthy that stuck with me.
I came home laughing as the flags unfurled
I returned to my residence jovial and content as I observed a spectacle or event.
She said you better find a way to loving this world
My partner advised me to adopt a more positive attitude towards life and cultivate a stronger appreciation for it.
As it baby you know I'm just dying to
As it stands, you're aware that I'm eager to make a change and improve myself in some way.
I need something that make me feel better
I require an action or object that has the ability to improve my overall state of mind.
Something simple and not for me
I'm searching for a solution that isn't complicated and doesn't revolve around my own self-interests.
Everything I wanted is so over-rated
I've discovered that things I previously desired or pursued are not as valuable or significant as I had initially thought.
I almost had it all and I'm still frustrated
Despite coming close to achieving my goals, I'm still feeling disheartened and dissatisfied with my current situation.
Why's it got to be so damn complicated
I'm struggling to understand why certain things have to be so intricate and complex.
Sometimes I just can't take it
At times, I feel overwhelmed and unable to handle the difficulties that arise in my life.
I walk outside and I stare at the sky
I spend time outdoors and gaze up at the heavens above me.
In sight of second a star shoots by
I catch a glimpse of a shooting star for a brief moment.
And I think to myself, man what a lucky guy
I reflect on how fortunate and grateful I am to have witnessed such a beautiful occurrence.
And blink and I would've missed it
If I had blinked or turned away, I would have missed the chance to witness the beauty of the shooting star.
I need something that make me feel better
Again, I express the need for something to improve my emotional wellbeing.
Something simple and not for me
Similar to before, I want a solution that is uncomplicated and doesn't focus solely on myself.
Something as easy as 1, 2, 3, something as easy as 1, 2, 3
I'm looking for a remedy or solution that is as straightforward and simple as counting to three.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: JACK INGRAM, TODD DANIEL SNIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind