Ingram went from playing local bars with Revelation Funk to Los Angeles, where he landed the types of gigs that most aspiring musicians only dream about: singing background vocals and playing piano for Ray Charles’ recording studio sessions; recording studio sessions and playing keyboards behind the Coasters for Dick Clark; and recording background vocals for his mentor, Marvin Gaye.
Then fate brought Ingram together with Quincy Jones and to a pivotal breakthrough in his career. Up to this point, Ingram had not yet surfaced as a solo artist, but after a chance listen to Ingram’s demo of “Just Once” — which had been recorded for the sum of $50 — Jones immediately recognized the man, the voice and the music as the musical triumvirate that would both captivate listeners and command the music industry’s attention.
Jones quickly chose Ingram to perform both “Just Once” and “One Hundred Ways” on Jones’ upcoming album, The Dude. Released in 1980, The Dude was a multi-platinum international success and resulted in three Grammy nominations for Ingram: Best New Artist, Best Pop Male Vocal, and Best R&B Vocal for “One Hundred Ways,” for which he won his first Grammy. Ingram also made Grammy history when — in his first live performance ever as a singer — he performed “Just Once” as the telecast’s opening act and became the first artist to open a Grammy ceremony with a ballad and the only artist to win a Grammy without having his own album in release. The Dude remains the most Grammy-nominated album in history and marked the first of 15 nominations Ingram has received to date (see attached award list and discography for complete information).
After this stunning debut, Ingram’s much-anticipated 1983 solo album, It’s Your Night, surpassed industry expectations. The album was the debut for the Michael McDonald collaboration “Yah Mo Be There,” (Ingram’s 2nd Grammy) which was honored with the Grammy for Best R&B Performance for a Group or Duo, and “There’s No Easy Way” was considered one of the year’s stand-out ballads. It’s Your Night sold nearly one million copies; secured an unprecedented achievement by appearing simultaneously on both The Top 20 Pop and The Top 5 R&B Charts. Ultimately, “Yah Mo Be There” became the most-played song of the year.
Ingram’s talents as a songwriter and performer were tapped by some of the most celebrated artists of the era, most prominent was his “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” for Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982), which sold more than 50 million units,. He performed “Baby Come To Me,” with Patti Austin (1984) on her debut album, which went on to become a No. 1 Pop record. Other chart-topping, Top 10 collaborations include “The Secret Garden,” the No.1 hit with Barry White, Al B. Sure and El Debarge on Quincy Jones’ multi-platinum Back on the Block album, (1990). James, as a song writer is timeless he received Grammy recognition for his participation on the song entitled “Good Life”, in the “Best Rap Song” category, performed by Kanye West (featuring T-Pain) in 2007.
Hollywood soon called for Ingram’s wide-ranging songwriting and vocal abilities and several hit singles for blockbuster motion and animated pictures followed. “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” — a songwriting collaboration between Michel Legrand and Marilyn and Alan Bergman, performed by Ingram and Patti Austin — was featured in Best Friends (1982) and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group as well as an Academy Award nomination in the Original Song category.
Other important contributions to feature films include “Don’t Make Me No Never Mind,” co-written with Quincy Jones and Roy Gaines for Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple (1985), and Ingram’s duet with Anita Baker, “When You Love Someone,” by Bryan Adams, for Forget Paris (1995). “Somewhere Out There,” performed by Ingram and Linda Ronstadt for Steven Spielberg’s animated American Tail (1986) also received a Grammy for Song of the Year. Then 1993 and 1994 brought Ingram back-to-back Academy Award nominations. His duets with Dolly Parton, “The Day I Fall in Love,” featured in Beethoven 2 (1993), and Anita Baker, “Look What Love Has Done,” the theme song from Junior (1994), were songwriting collaborations with Carole Bayer Sager and recognized in Oscar’s Original Song category.
The '90s were a fruitful decade for Ingram, who began it by co-producing “I Don’t Have the Heart” with Thom Bell — the first and only time Bell has co-produced on any project — and taking it to No. 1 in 1990. In 1999, Ingram released Forever More: The Best of James Ingram, which included some of his biggest hits as well as new material
Worldwide acclaim has led to concert tours in the U.S. and abroad, where he continues to play before sold-out stadiums in The Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Dubai, Brunei, Indonesia and Hong Kong. Fans at home have been able to see Ingram perform live everywhere from Compton to The White House.
The blessings of success also have allowed Ingram to pursue two of his personal passions: humanitarian work and composition for live theater. In 1987, Ingram was hand-picked by Quincy Jones to perform in “We are the World,” the universal gift and legendary singing and fund-raising effort from the recording industry, which raised more than $100 million in aid for those suffering from famine in Africa. Ingram also continues to work with long-time collaborator, choreographer/ producer Debbie Allen on a number of musical projects. Most recently, they partnered on Stand (In the Light) and several musical theater works including "Brothers of the Night, “The Legend” and “Alex in Wonderland."
Faith and family are Ingram’s main sources of inspiration, driving his industry achievements; legendary collaborations with revered mentors and peers; humanitarian work; and celebrated performances at some of the most-high-profile events of our time, including The Oscars, The Grammy Awards and The Super Bowl. The son of a Deacon, Ingram is one of six children and a self-taught musician, adept at piano, guitar, bass, drums and synthesizer. He made his home in Los Angeles with Debbie, his wife of 36 years, and their six children.
Better Way
James Ingram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wanna see this paradise
I have a dream and it's so clear
Won't think about it twice
(No, no)
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to turn my head
Don't try to tell me who I am
'Cause freedom lives in me, so wild and free
(Yeah, yeah)
There's gotta be a better way
To put the love inside my life, baby
There's gotta be a better way
Without your loving here when will I find love?
I'm coming down on promises
Wanna put ?em far away
(Yeah, yeah)
'Cause what I feel is oh so real
It's gonna be a better day
(Yeah)
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to turn my head
(No)
Don't try to tell me who I am
'Cause freedom lives in me, so wild and free
(Yeah, yeah)
There's gotta be a better way
To put the love inside my life, baby
There's gotta be a better way
Without your loving here when will I find love?
I can feel it as the time goes by
(Time, time, time, time)
Your spirit getting closer and closer
I must be on a natural high
'Cause I'm feeling no pain
(No, no, woo hoo)
(Yeah, yeah)
There's gotta be a better way
To put the love inside my life, baby
There's gotta be a better way
Without your loving here when will I find love?
Comes the answer, what's the question?
All I want to know
(If you wanna be free)
Talk to me but if you wanna run, I'll let you go
(Yeah, yeah)
There's gotta be a better way
To put the love inside my life, baby
There's gotta be a better way
Without your loving here when will I find love?
(Yeah, yeah)
There's gotta be a better way
To put the love inside my life, baby
There's gotta be a better way
Without your loving here when will I find love?
There's got to be a better, better
The lyrics to James Ingram's song Better Way convey a message of independence and freedom, as the singer declares his determination to pursue his own dreams and not be swayed by others. He refuses to be told what to do, who to be, or how to live his life. Instead, he invites love into his life and hopes for a better way to find it. Despite the challenges and promises left behind, he is optimistic that he will find his way.
The chorus of the song anchors this message of hope and determination, reminding the listener that there has to be a better way to find love and happiness. The repetition of this phrase reinforces both the singer's conviction that he deserves something more, and his faith that he will ultimately find it. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody reflect this determination and optimism, making it a feel-good anthem for anyone seeking to pursue their dreams and follow their heart.
In conclusion, James Ingram's song Better Way is a powerful declaration of independence and hope, reminding the listener that despite the obstacles and promises left behind, there is always a better way to find love and happiness. The song encourages one to follow their dreams, stay true to who they are, and trust that they will find their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't change my mind, I'm on my way
I won't change the path I'm on
Wanna see this paradise
I desire a beautiful life
I have a dream and it's so clear
I have a clear vision of my dream
Won't think about it twice (No, no)
I won't second guess myself
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't tell me how to live my life
Don't try to turn my head (No)
Don't try to influence me
Don't try to tell me who I am
Don't define who I am
'Cause freedom lives in me, so wild and free
I am free-spirited
There's gotta be a better way
There has to be a better option
To put the love inside my life, baby
To fill my life with love
Without your loving here when will I find love?
When will I find love without you?
I'm coming down on promises
I'm losing faith in promises
Wanna put ?em far away (Yeah, yeah)
I want to forget about them
'Cause what I feel is oh so real
My feelings are authentic
It's gonna be a better day (Yeah)
Tomorrow will be better
I can feel it as the time goes by (Time, time, time, time)
I sense change over time
Your spirit getting closer and closer
Your energy is becoming more present
I must be on a natural high
I feel amazing
'Cause I'm feeling no pain (No, no, woo hoo)
I'm numb to pain
Comes the answer, what's the question?
The answer will come without a question
All I want to know (If you wanna be free)
I only want to know if you want to be free
Talk to me but if you wanna run, I'll let you go
Speak to me, but if you want to leave, I'll allow it
There's got to be a better, better
There has to be a better way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDRE CYMONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SonicX rich07
In Remembrance to....
- Allen Garfield role as Chief Harold Lutz
(Born: November 22, 1939 – Died: April 7, 2020)
- Dean Stockwell role as Charles Cain
(Born: March 5, 1936 – Died: November 7, 2021)
- Gil Hill role as Inspector Douglas Todd
(Born: November 5, 1931 – Died: February 29, 2016)
- Gilbert Gottfried role as Sidney Bernstein
(Born: February 28, 1955 – Died: April 12, 2022)
- Robert Ridgely role as Mayor Ted Egan
(Born: December 24, 1931 – Died: February 8, 1997)
- Frank Pesce role as Carlotta
(Born: 8 December 1946 – Died: 6 February 2022)
- Robert Pastorelli role as Vinnie
(Born: June 21, 1954 – Died: March 8, 2004)
- Tommy 'Tiny' Lister role as Orvis
(Born: June 24, 1958 – Died: December 10, 2020)
- John Hostetter role as Stiles
(Born: October 6, 1946 – Died: September 2, 2016)
- Hugh Hefner the American magazine publisher. He was the founder and editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine, a publication with revealing photographs and articles that provoked charges of obscenity.
(Born: April 9, 1926 – Died: September 27, 2017)
- Tony Scott the English film director and producer. He was known for directing highly successful action and thriller films such as Top Gun (1986), Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Days of Thunder (1990), The Last Boy Scout (1991), True Romance (1993), Crimson Tide (1995), Enemy of the State (1998), Man on Fire (2004), Déjà Vu (2006), and Unstoppable (2010).
(Born: 21 June 1944 – Died: 19 August 2012)
- James Ingram the American singer, songwriter and record producer.
(Born: February 16, 1952 – Died: January 29, 2019)
George .S.
Classic!!! I miss the 80s! Everything was so different!!!
Ollie Hays
Everything was so better
Hyper Horse
@Ollie Hays Yeah right. If you wanted to listen to this song whenever you had to wait for the soundtrack to be released or watch the movie or hope your local radio station played it.
Skw4L
Huge song, so many emotions when I heart it ! Great childhood memories :D
Imran Khan
Rip James you made a classic, will always be remembered GOAT
Rene Valdez
Love it. My favorite of the trilogy, Tony Scott can't be touched
Seven
Was a kid when this dropped ...man I miss the 80"s
Earthdog GFX
Great edit .. thank you
They dont make movies like this anymore 😔
4TheMotorist
Sadly no.
Chris R
Thank you for this. AmAzing job!