Born in Jackson, Tennessee, his songs appeared in the pop and R & B charts, even though he worked for a small label, Koko Records, owned by his manager and producer, Johnny Baylor. Koko and Baylor were closely associated with the Memphis-based Stax Records label during the height of its commercial success.
Ingram is best known for his hit, "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right", written by Homer Banks, Carl Hampton and Raymond Jackson. The song placed number one on Billboard magazine's R&B chart, and peaked at number three on that publication's Hot 100 chart in 1972 (later successfully covered by Millie Jackson and Barbara Mandrell). Other popular tracks include "Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)" and "I'll Be Your Shelter." He also co-authored the Staples Singers hit, "Respect Yourself."
Ingram was responsible for the classic 1966 Northern Soul stormer "If It's All The Same To You" and it's instrumental "Exus Trek" on HIB records.
Ingram died March 19, 2007 at a Belleville, Ill., hospital of heart failure. He had suffered for years from diabetes, kidney disease and partial blindness, his wife, Jacqui Ingram, said.
You Were Made For Me
Luther Ingram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And boats were made to sail on the sea
As sure as there's stars above me
I know you were made for me
(You were made for me)
A grape was made to grow on a vine
An apple was made to grow on a tree
I know you were made for me
(You were made for me)
We'll have our quarrels
And you will upset me
(But what can I do)
But what can I do
You've been mine since
The first day that I met you
(Never) and I'll never
Never, never leave you
(Fish were made to swim the ocean)
Oh, yes they were
(Boats were made to sail the sea)
Oh, yeah
As sure as there's stars above me
I know you were made for me
(A grape was made to grow on a vine)
Oh, yes, they were
(An apple was made to grow on a tree)
Oh, yeah
As sure as there's stars above me
I know you were made for me
(You were made for me)
Oh, yes you were
(You were made for me)
Oh, yeah
(You were made for me)
Like a fish in the ocean
(You were made for me)
Like a boat on the sea, baby
(You were made for me)
Oh, baby, I know
You were made for me
(You were made for me)
Oh, baby, I know
You were made for me
(You were made for me)
Oh, baby, I know
You were made for me
(You were made for me)...
In Luther Ingram's song “You Were Made For Me,” he compares the natural order of the world with the perfect match he has found in his love interest. He sings that just as fish were made to swim in the ocean and boats were made to sail on the sea, he knows that his partner was made for him. This belief is reinforced by the stars above, providing a sense of cosmic destiny to their love. Ingram also compares his love to a grape growing on a vine and an apple growing on a tree, actions that are just as natural and predetermined as the connection he has with his partner.
From the song's opening verse, it is clear that Ingram firmly believes that his partner is the perfect complement to his existence. He acknowledges that they will have their disagreements in the future, but their connection is too powerful to be broken. The repetition of the line “You were made for me” throughout the song emphasizes this idea and serves as a reminder that their love is preordained and meant to be.
In summary, Luther Ingram's song “You Were Made For Me” is a romantic ode to the idea of soulmates. Ingram suggests that just as there is a natural order to the world, his partner was specifically meant for him. This cosmic destiny provides the foundation for their unbreakable bond, even in the face of disagreements or obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Fish were made to swim in the ocean
Just like fish are made to swim in the ocean, there are certain things in life that are meant to be a certain way.
And boats were made to sail on the sea
Just like boats are made to sail on the sea, there are certain things in life that are meant to be a certain way.
As sure as there's stars above me
I am certain beyond any doubt that what I am about to say is true.
I know you were made for me
I am absolutely certain that you are the perfect person for me.
(You were made for me)
This is my absolute conviction and nothing can change that.
A grape was made to grow on a vine
Just like grapes are made to grow on vines, there are things in life that are natural and inevitable.
An apple was made to grow on a tree
Just like apples are made to grow on trees, there are things in life that are natural and inevitable.
We'll have our quarrels
We will have disagreements and arguments from time to time.
And you will upset me
Your actions or words may sometimes upset me.
(But what can I do)
Despite this, I still feel the way I do about you and cannot change that.
You've been mine since
You have belonged to me ever since.
The first day that I met you
Right from the moment I met you, I knew that you were mine.
(Never) and I'll never
I will never, ever do anything to lose you or give you up.
Never, never leave you
I will never, ever leave you or let you go.
(Fish were made to swim the ocean)
This is a repetition of the first verse, reinforcing the idea that certain things are meant to be a certain way.
Oh, yes they were
This is a reaffirmation of the idea that certain things are meant to be a certain way.
(Boats were made to sail the sea)
This is another reaffirmation of the idea that certain things are meant to be a certain way.
Oh, yeah
This is an exclamation used to demonstrate excitement or agreement.
(You were made for me)
This is a repetition of the central idea of the song, one more reaffirmation of the singer's feelings.
Like a fish in the ocean
This is a metaphor for the feeling of being in the right place, with the right person.
Like a boat on the sea, baby
This is another metaphor demonstrating the idea that the singer and the person they are addressing are meant to be together.
Oh, baby, I know
This is a declaration of the singer's confidence and understanding of the situation.
You were made for me
A final reaffirmation of the central idea of the song, that this person belongs with the singer.
(You were made for me)
One more time, as if to emphasize the truly inescapable nature of these feelings.
Contributed by Evelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jason Duncan
"We'll have our quarrels.....And you will upset me".......Wickedest sample ever
Comission by Shyne
Real King Semaj
FACTS
Al Kahinat
Oh so you’re a real one?! 🤣🤍 was just listening to Commission
Beatrice Young
You were made for me. I miss you Luther Ingram!
Patricia Washington January 30, 2017
MrCandlewax
Did you know him? Who's Patricia?
RAMLIA1
♥♥♥
Big Flee
Nyshiem Myrick caught that sample for The commission...
Ivo Ponduša
IVO`s MAGIC WORLD presents MUSIC HISTORY GUIDE - FAMOUS BIRTHS - TRIBUTE To LUTHER INGRAM - 80th ANNIVERSARY HIS BIRTH, TODAY!!! (NoVeMbEr 29, 2017)
HatchetRecords
Shyne Commision
Team Greatness Media
One great sample