I Don't Have the Heart

James Ingram

About I Don't Have the Heart

"I Don't Have the Heart" is the title of a No. 1 hit song that was written by Allan Rich and Jud Friedman and recorded by American R&B recording artist James Ingram. It is Ingram's only number-one single as a solo artist on the US Billboard Hot 100, and his second number-one single overall, since the Patti Austin-featured "Baby, Come to Me", which topped the Hot 100 in 1983. Ingram received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 33rd Grammy Awards in 1991 for the song. Released as the fourth single from Ingram's 1989 album It's Real, "I Don't Have the Heart" reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 20, 1990. The ballad remained at No. 1 for one week, and became his final Top 40 hit. Singer Stacy Lattisaw recorded the song as well, and her version was released on Motown Records at the same time as Ingram's, although it was not as commercially successful.  


Year:
1991
4:13
25 
#3

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Your face is beaming
You say it's 'cause you're dreaming
Of how good it's going to be
You say you've been around
And now you've finally found
Everything you wanted and needed in me

I don't have the heart to hurt you
It's the last thing I want to do
But I don't have the heart to love you
Not the way you want me to

Inside I'm dying
To see you crying
How can I make you understand
I care about you
So much about you, baby
I'm trying to say this as gently as I can

'Cause I don't have the heart to hurt you
It's the last thing I want to do
But I don't have the heart to love you
Not the way you want me to

You're so trusting and open
Hoping that love will start
But I don't have the heart, oh, no
I don't have the heart

I don't have the heart to hurt you
It's the last thing I want to do
But I don't have the heart to love you
Not the way that you want me to

I don't have the heart (Oh)
(Baby, I don't have the heart, I don't have the heart)
I don't have the heart (Oh)
(Baby, I don't have)

I don't have the heart
I don't have the heart
I don't have the heart

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James Ingram

James Ingram (born February 16, 1956) is an American singer, record producer, and instrumentalist. He is a two-time Grammy Award-winner and a two-time Academy Award nominee for Best Original Song. Since beginning his career in 1973, Ingram has charted eight U.S. Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 from the early 1980s until the early 1990s, as well charting with thirteen top 40 hits on the R&B singles chart. He has also amassed two number-one singles on the Hot 100: "Baby, Come to Me" which top the US pop chart in 1983 (a duet with R&B singer Patti Austin) and "I Don't Have the Heart", which became his second No. 1 in 1990, his first as a solo artist. Ingram co-written "The Day I Fall In Love" (for rock musician Patty Smyth), from the motion picture … more »

2 fans

Written by: ALLAN RICH, JUD FRIEDMAN

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Peermusic Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Genre
"I Don't Have the Heart" is categorized as an R&B and pop song.
Release
The song was released in July 1990 as the lead single from James Ingram's third studio album, "It's Real."
Billboard Ranking
It was Ingram's only Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit.
Grammy Nomination
The song received a nomination for "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1991.
Track Duration
This beautiful ballad has a duration of 4 minutes and 13 seconds.
Songwriters
"I Don't Have the Heart" was written by Allan Rich and Jud Friedman.
Context
The lyric tells the story of a man who likes a woman but feels he is not emotionally ready for a relationship.
Commercial Success
This song was the only number-one song of Ingram’s career and it increased his commercial standing in the music industry.
Cultural Impact
"I Don't Have the Heart" is one of Ingram's signature songs and is still widely played on adult contemporary radio.
Videos
Despite its success, James Ingram never made a music video for the song.
Backup Vocals
Famous background vocalists on the track include Phil Perry and Bunny Hull.
Cover Versions
Multiple artists have covered "I Don't Have the Heart," including German singer Howard Carpendale, who released a German version of the song.
Sales
The song performed well commercially, even earning a Gold certification from the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Post Release
After the song's release, it has frequently been used in film and television, further cementing Ingram's legacy in the entertainment industry.
Legacy
Despite Ingram's passing in 2019, his only number-one hit song continues to resonate with fans around the world thanks to its heartfelt lyrics and mesmerizing melody.

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    I Don't Have the Heart

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1990

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