1981 Quincy Jones – Just Once (US: #17)
“Just Once“ is a 1981 single released from Quincy Jones’ album The Dude on A&M Records. The song features James Ingram on vocals, and reached number 17 on the Billboard chart in the summer of 1981.
On a television program interview, Ingram stated that this song was a $50 demo done by ATV Music, composed by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Quincy Jones called back and wanted Ingram to sing on his album.
The song is composed originally in the key of C major. The bridge modulates to the key of A flat major, moves to B major, and finally ends in D major.
The song featured in the 1982 film The Last American Virgin.
Album

The Dude is a 1981 studio album by American musician and producer Quincy Jones. The album featured the debut of vocalist James Ingram on the singles “Just Once” and “One Hundred Ways,” which reached no. 17 and 14, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100. It also contained “Razzamatazz”, which reached no. 11 in the UK […]
Musicians
Bass | Abraham Laboriel Sr |
Drums | JR Robinson |
Guitar | Steve Lukather |
Keyboards | Robbie Buchanan |
Keyboards | David Foster |
Keyboards | Greg Phillinganes |
Keyboards | Ian Underwood |
Sax | Ernie Watts |
Sax | Kim Hutchcroft |
Trumpet | Jerry Hey |
Trumpet | Chuck Findley |
Trombone | Bill Reichenbach |
Percussion | Paulinho Da Costa |
Background Vocals | Patti Austin |
Vocals | James Ingram |
Produced By
Quincy Jones
Songwiters
Barry Mann
Cynthia Weil
Charts
US: #17
UK: –
November 29, 2015 @ 15:31
“Just once…can we figure out what we keep doing wrong?” A nice song by the way
November 29, 2015 @ 18:54
I miss the days of great session musicianship.
November 29, 2015 @ 21:05
Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia weil! Great song ! Features David foster on acoustic piano! Steve lukather on rhythm guitar! James has a superb voice! Great album from the mighty Q !