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.
Don't Let Go
James Ingram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As we went to sleep, choosing words that last forever, ooh
And when I'm feeling lost, thinking that I cannot find my way
Those words still come to me while I'm kneeling down to pray
I can hear daddy say, 'Keep the faith and hold on
And don't let go of the promises in what he said
Troubles don't last always"
Don't let go to the mystery of his word
'Cause joy's gonna come in the morning
Don't let go, don't let go, ooh
I remember times I try to do it all my way
It always seemed to end with me falling on my face, ooh
The long and winding road sometimes turn into a pile of sand
Those words still come to me while I'm kneeling down
Kneeling down to pray
I can feel my daddy say, "Keep the faith and hold on
Don't let go of the promises in what he said
Troubles don't last always", ooh
Don't let go to the mystery of his word
'Cause joy's gonna come in the morning
Daddy said, "All the angels are singing in heaven
And I know they can be heard everywhere
Through the trials and tribulations we go through
We can hear them singing everywhere", yeah, everywhere
Singing don't let go of the promises in what he said
Troubles don't last always
Don't let go to the mystery of his word
'Cause joy's gonna come in the morning
Don't let go
(Don't let go)
Daddy said, "Always keep the faith"
(Don't let go)
Faith is the substance of things hoped for
(Don't let go)
Evidence of things not seen
(Don't let go)
Hold on to your dreams
(Don't let go)
He said, 'No one can tear you down'
(Don't let go )
Once ya have the knowledge, boy
(Don't let go)
Don't let nobody steal ya joy, ooh
(Don't let go)
Don't cha lean to ya own understanding
(Don't let go)
Letcha Father directcha path
(Don't let go)
Speak it, see it, dream it
(Don't let go)
Then you can believe it
(Don't let go)
And you can live
(Don't let go)
My daddy told me
(Don't let go)
Now that your body's the temple
Spirit the most high, God lives within you, boy
I said," Thank you, father, ooh
Daddy, I won't let go, you put your love so deep inside of me
And all of my brothers and sisters
I'm so glad you were a grand man
(Don't let go)
In the song "Don't Let Go" by James Ingram, the lyricist remembers the bedtime stories he was told by his father, which had an enduring impact on his life. The words of his father's stories still come to him when he feels lost and thinks he cannot find his way. The dad told him to keep the faith and hold on, never to let go of the promises that were made. Even when he tried to do things his way and fell on his face, the lyricist remembers his father's counsel, urging him to hold on to his dreams and not to let anyone tear him down.
The notion of the mystery of the word of God is emphasized in the chorus, and the joy that comes in the morning is promised. Daddy is quoted as saying that all the angels are singing in heaven, and through the trials and tribulations, they are heard everywhere. He also emphasized having faith in the power of the word and the importance of not leaning on one’s understanding but trusting God's guidance. The message of the song is that perseverance and faith will lead to joy.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember when daddy used to tell us bedtime stories
Reflecting on a time when his dad would tell stories at night before bed
As we went to sleep, choosing words that last forever, ooh
His dad chose special words to tell stories with that he still remembers
And when I'm feeling lost, thinking that I cannot find my way
When he feels lost or uncertain about what to do next
Those words still come to me while I'm kneeling down to pray
He remembers the words his dad told him when he prays
I can hear daddy say, 'Keep the faith and hold on
He hears his dad's voice saying to keep the faith and hold on
And don't let go of the promises in what he said
Don't forget the promises he made and the advice he gave
Troubles don't last always"
The difficult times won't last forever
Don't let go to the mystery of his word
Hold onto the wisdom of his teachings
'Cause joy's gonna come in the morning
Happiness and contentment will follow
I remember times I try to do it all my way
Recalling times when he tried to handle things on his own
It always seemed to end with me falling on my face, ooh
Reflecting on failures after trying to do things his own way
Those words still come to me while I'm kneeling down
He remembers his dad's words when he kneels down to pray
I can feel my daddy say, "Keep the faith and hold on
He can feel his dad's words encouraging him to stay strong
Don't let go of the promises in what he said
Don't forget what his dad taught him
All the angels are singing in heaven
Believing that there are angels singing in heaven
And I know they can be heard everywhere
Believing that the angels' singing can be heard all around
Through the trials and tribulations we go through
Even during tough times
We can hear them singing everywhere", yeah, everywhere
The singing of the angels is comforting and everywhere
He said, 'No one can tear you down'
His dad said that no one can ruin your self-esteem
Once ya have the knowledge, boy
Once you have the wisdom and knowledge, you're set
Don't let nobody steal ya joy, ooh
Don't let anyone take away your happiness
Don't cha lean to ya own understanding
Don't rely solely on your own intellectual abilities
Letcha Father directcha path
Allow God to direct your path
Then you can believe it
Once you trust in God, you can believe in yourself
And you can live
Believing and trusting in God can help you thrive
My daddy told me
Recalling his dad's teachings
Now that your body's the temple
Our bodies are sacred and serve a higher purpose
Spirit the most high, God lives within you, boy
Believing that God lives inside of us and we can connect with Him
Daddy, I won't let go
Promising to continue following his father's advice
You put your love so deep inside of me
His dad's love and wisdom is deeply embedded in him
And all of my brothers and sisters
His siblings also benefited from their dad's love and teachings
I'm so glad you were a grand man
Expressing gratitude for having a great father
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAURA BUNDY, DOUG JOHNSON, SETH JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@insightonline
James Ingram... One of my absolute favorite artist. Thank you for the greatness. Rest In Heaven my Brother
@blahblahbubblez
GO AHEAD AND PRAISE THE FATHER, AND KEEP HOLDING ON!!!! HOLD ON TO HIS UNCHANGING HANDS. THE SAME YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER, HE REMAINS THE SAME, AND WON'T FORGET ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PAIN!!! WOW! THIS IS NICE TO SEE JAMES PRAISE GOD
@richardcallaway4093
AMEN! Such a beautiful song! Thank you for your testimony my brother. Thankful for you! See you on that great day!
@jennyjenny8662
So true..sweet fellow fan..God Bless you... thank. you..James is in God's Peace now
@guitwidit246
This is a very encouraging song by one of the most talented vocal artists of our time!
@veldagumbs4021
Very inspirational song. James Ingram you were the best. RIP.
@MrsHood47
Fantastic singer, i am glad to see and hear him sing for the LORD.
@mrjtjt
Omg! Just hearing this song for the first time, although this guy has always been one of my favorite artists ever. Always could touch my heart with his voice. Now im here crying as i listen to this song on repeat. I will be playing it all day, everyday for the next few days. Cant stop listening to it. I love this guy's voice. RIP James.
@hotchilli75
this guy is wicked. check out his voice and the lyrics . very powerful voice and a very encouraging lyrics. not even the new comers in the music world can push james ingram to the sides. he is just too good. even age couldnt stop him from being that fantastic singer he has always been.
@terrancemoore496
R,I.P James Ingram. GOD has another angel in his beautiful chorus.