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.
Goodnight Moon
Jack Ingram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goodnight moon, goodnight stars
Goodnight old broke down cars
I'm going away, I'm leaving soon
Goodnight darlin'
Goodnight moon
I don't know where I'll be
Out the window of my room
Shining down
Goodnight moon
Thank you I'm gonna miss you
When the night comes round
That's when I long to kiss you
When the moon shining on the ground
Goodnight moon, goodnight stars
Goodnight old broke down cars
I'm going away, I'm leaving soon
Goodnight darlin'
Goodnight moon
In Jack Ingram's song "Goodnight Moon," the singer is saying goodbye to his loved ones as he embarks on a journey into the unknown. The song opens with a farewell to the moon and the stars, followed by a goodbye to "old broke down cars." The singer is leaving soon, but he does not know where he will be going or if he will return. As he looks out the window of his room, he sees the moon shining down upon him, and he bids it goodnight. The singer then thanks his loved ones, indicating that he is leaving them behind and may not return.
The second verse reveals the singer's longing for his loved ones. When the night comes around, he says, he will miss them terribly and will long to kiss them. The final goodbye reveals that the singer is leaving permanently, saying goodbye to the moon, the stars, and the old cars. He bids his loved ones goodnight one last time, including the moon, which serves as a symbol of hope and comfort in the face of the unknown.
"Goodnight Moon" is a heartfelt ballad that captures the bittersweet emotions of leaving home and loved ones behind. It is a song about the uncertainty of the future and the need for closure. As the singer prepares to embark on his journey, he bids his loved ones farewell and finds comfort in the moon's steady presence. The song is a poignant reminder that no matter where we go, the people and places we leave behind will always be a part of us.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodnight moon, goodnight stars
Saying farewell to the moon and stars, the symbols for nighttime and a goodbye to a place.
Goodnight old broke down cars
Bidding adieu to old things that are no longer reliable, like cars that can't run anymore.
I'm going away, I'm leaving soon
Announcing the singer's upcoming departure and move to another place.
Goodnight darlin'
Saying goodbye to a loved one, a term of endearment used for the person.
Goodnight moon
Repeating a goodbye to the moon, as it symbolizes the beloved place that's being left behind.
I don't know where I'll be
Expressing uncertainty on where to go or relocate after leaving the place.
And I don't know if I'll see
Expressing doubt about returning to the place or seeing the people left behind again.
Out the window of my room
Referring to the place or view from where the singer is currently saying farewell.
Shining down
Describing the moon's brightness illuminating everything, even the thoughts and memories of the singer.
Thank you I'm gonna miss you
Expressing gratitude and emotions felt when leaving the place and thanking the place itself.
When the night comes round
Referring to the time when darkness covers the area, and implying the longing for the place, especially its night time vibe.
That's when I long to kiss you
Painting a poetic picture of the personifying the place as a lover, and yearning to be close to it once again.
When the moon shining on the ground
Describing an image when the environment is lit by the moon, and signifying a time of reflection.
Goodnight moon, goodnight stars
Repetitive farewell to the night time symbols, intensifying the emotions felt for what's being left behind.
Goodnight old broke down cars
Repetition of saying goodbye to broken things, now implying an acceptance of leaving unpleasant things behind.
I'm going away, I'm leaving soon
Final statement of the song, firmly declaring the singer's impending departure.
Goodnight darlin'
Final goodbye, endearingly said for the last time to the person or place being left behind.
Goodnight moon
Final goodbye to the moon, signifying the final farewell to the place and the emotions that come with it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Will Kimbrough, Gwilym Owen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind