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.
Somewhere Out There
James Ingram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight
Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishin' on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
Somewhere out there, if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishin' on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there, if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
The lyrics to James Ingram's song Somewhere Out There speak of two individuals who are separated by distance but are connected by love. The song's opening line, "Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight" creates a soothing and romantic tone. The lyrics then suggest that while the two people are apart, they think about each other and hope that they can find each other in "that big somewhere out there."
The song's narrator acknowledges that the distance between the two lovers is great but takes some comfort in the idea that they may be "wishing on the same bright star." In the song's second verse, the singer describes the night wind singing a "lonesome lullaby" and the comfort of knowing that they are "sleeping underneath the same big sky."
The final refrain of the song provides a sense of hope for the couple, stating that if their love is strong enough, they will find their way back to each other and be together "out where dreams come true." The song's tender and reassuring nature make it a classic love song that has resonated with audiences for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
There exists a place far away from here, under the light of the moon.
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight
At this very moment, there is someone who cares for me and is thinking about me.
Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
In that same place, someone is making a plea or request on our behalf.
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there
Their prayer is that we will eventually cross paths and become united in that distant, unknown place.
And even though I know how very far apart we are
Despite the fact that we are separated by a great distance,
It helps to think we might be wishin' on the same bright star
it gives comfort to imagine that we both have the same hope or goal, perhaps represented by a single shining celestial body.
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
During the quiet, melancholic moments when the wind makes a soft, sleep-inducing melody,
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
it eases the mind to realize that we share the same vast sky that arches over us as we rest.
Somewhere out there, if love can see us through
In that faraway place, if our mutual love is strong enough
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
we will surely be brought together, wherever that place may be
Out where dreams come true
in a place where all our heartfelt desires and aspirations can become reality.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Horner, Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zacharyloizides6453
11-21-86 Phillip Glasser Fievel Mousekewitz
3-26-97 Scott Bakula Danny Cat
11-21-86 Amy Green Tanya Mousekewitz
3-26-97 Jasmine Guy Sawyer Cat
11-21-86 Erica Yohn Mama Mousekewitz
3-26-97 Betty Lou Gerson Frances Albacore
11-21-86 Nehemiah Persoff Papa Mousekewitz
3-26-97 Hal Holbrook Cranston Goat
11-21-86 Pat Musick Tony Toponi
3-26-97 Matthew Herried Pudge
11-21-86 Christopher Plummer Henri le Pigeon
3-26-97 John Rhys-Davies Woolie Mammoth
11-21-86 Cathianne Blore Bridget
3-26-97 Kathy Najimy Tillie Hippotamus
11-21-86 Neil Ross Honest John
3-26-97 Don Knotts T.W. Turtle
11-21-86 Madeleine Kahn Gussie Mausheimer Dom DeLuise Tiger
3-26-97 Frank Welker Farley Wink
11-21-86 John Finnegan Warren T. Rat
3-26-97 Ashley Peldon Darla Dimple
11-21-86 Will Ryan Digit
3-26-97 Mark Dindal Max
11-21-86 Hal Smith Moe
3-26-97 George Kennedy L.B. Mammoth
11-21-86 Dan Kuenster Jake
3-26-97 Rene Auberjonois Flanigan
@cellatpes2239
Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight
Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishin' on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there, if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishin' on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there, if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
@linas-oh3kq
Ain't it funny how time goes by so quickly. One minute your 26, watching "An American Tale" and listening to this wonderful song and the next minute your 63 and hearing it on YouTube and your crying your eyes out! It's such a timeless beautiful classic tune. That is a national treasure. 🥰
@jimduffy1967
You phrased that wonderfully my friend,my thoughts exactly.
@johnnelson3665
And drunk. 🤣
@TommyDePaul-in1ig
62 here. WTF
@linas-oh3kq
@jimduffy1967
Thank you my friend. ☺️
@linas-oh3kq
@TommyDePaul-in1ig
What the hell, Mr. Potty mouth? Do you kiss your mamma with that mouth? 🤢🤮 So you're 62, and I'm 63. Now that we got that clear. Go to your room! You need a time-out, dude! 🤣
@ocotillo100
I was born into a family that did not want me. This movie gave me the courage to pick myself up and go find a family that actually did.
@legoferdinand2183
That’s terrible, but I sure hope you’ll find a family that will love you and treat you as their own
@damarizmelgosaplata3925
😭😭😭😭😇🙏
@sheesshhhh
Ouch