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.
How Do You Keep The Music Playing
James Ingram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How do you make it last?
How do you keep the song from fading too fast?
How do you lose yourself to someone?
And never lose your ways
How do you not run out of new things to say?
And since we're always changing
How can it be the same?
You're sure your heart will fall apart
Each time you hear his name
I know the way I feel for you, it's now or never
The more I love, the more that I'm afraid
That in your eyes I many not see forever, forever
If we can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with everyday to make it bertter as it grows
With any luck, then I suppose, the music never ends
I know the way I feel for you it's now or never!
(How do you keep the music playing?)
The more I love, the more that I'm afraid
(How do you make it last)
That in your eyes I many not see forever, forever
(How do you keep the song from fading, keep the song from
fading too fast)
If we can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with everyday to make it better as it grows
With any luck, then I suppose the music never ends.
In James Ingram's How Do You Keep The Music Playing? the lyrics touch upon the topic of the longevity of love and how one can keep love and a relationship alive. The lyrics suggest that love is not a static feeling, but one that requires constant effort and work to maintain. Specifically, it is the questions posed in the beginning that set the tone for the rest of the song. The lines "How do you keep the music playing?" and "How do you make it last?" set up the theme of the song - the ups and downs of a romantic relationship and how it can be sustained through the years.
The song suggests that it requires effort and dedication to keep the passion alive but through that effort, there can be a beautiful resolution. The final line "With any luck, then I suppose the music never ends" highlights that while maintaining a relationship through thick and thin can be difficult, it is worth the effort because the love and connection will sustain itself in the end, and the music of love between two people can last forever. Overall, James Ingram's How Do You Keep The Music Playing? is a beautiful reflection on love and the work required to keep a romantic relationship alive.
Line by Line Meaning
How do you keep the music playing?
How do you maintain a strong and lasting relationship?
How do you make it last?
How do you ensure that your relationship endures despite changes over time?
How do you keep the song from fading too fast?
How do you prevent your love from fading away too quickly?
How do you lose yourself to someone?
How do you deeply connect with someone while still maintaining your own identity?
And never lose your ways?
And not compromise your values and beliefs?
How do you not run out of new things to say?
How do you keep the conversation, interest and excitement alive in your relationship?
And since we're always changing
And given that people and situations are never static
How can it be the same?
How is it possible for love to last in the face of such changes?
And tell me how, year after year, You're sure your heart will fall apart
And can you share with me how one keeps loving with the awareness it could painfully end anytime
Each time you hear his name
Each time you're reminded of your loved one
I know the way I feel for you, it's now or never
I am confident of my love for you, and I am willing to take a chance on us.
The more I love, the more that I'm afraid
The deeper my love, the greater my fear of losing you.
That in your eyes I may not see forever, forever
That you may not share my desire for a lasting relationship.
If we can be the best of lovers
If we can have the perfect romantic relationship
Yet be the best of friends
But also have a strong platonic connection
If we can try with everyday to make it better as it grows
If we can put in the effort to continually improve the relationship as it develops
With any luck, then I suppose, the music never ends
Then our love will last forever, and our relationship will never come to an end.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore
Written by: Michel Jean Legrand, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dan De Jianne
on No Need To Say Goodbye
Wrong song. These are not the lyrics to No need to say goodbye.