Just Once

"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. Ingram's singing was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 1982 Grammy Awards.

History and composition
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, then to D major for the final chorus, finally ending in B major (the song's dominant chord) for the coda, representing the song's sad ending.

Popular culture

 * The song was featured prominently over the final scene of the 1982 film The Last American Virgin.
 * The song was referenced in Quest for Ratings, the 11th Episode of the 8th Season of South Park when Stan says "We gave it our best" to which teacher Mr. Meryl responds "And I guess your best wasn't good enough".