Ironically, James Ingram didn't initially see himself as a solo star. At the time, he was working as a session musician and recorded the song as a for songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. When legendary producer Quincy Jones heard the tape, he was so impressed by the "anonymous" singer that he featured Ingram on his album The Dude . This collaboration catapulted Ingram to fame, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1982. Breaking Down the Lyrics

Whether you're going through a breakup or reflecting on a complicated relationship, James Ingram's remains one of the most poignant ballads of the 1980s. Released in 1981, this soulful track capture the universal frustration of a love that keeps hitting the same roadblocks. The Story Behind the Voice

The song centers on a relationship stuck in a repetitive cycle of mistakes. James Ingram - Just Once lyrics - Musixmatch