Her credits include being an original cast member of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1968), the female lead (Sheila) in the Los Angeles company of Hair (1968), a number 1 single "The Right Time of the Night" (1977) and 3 Oscars for Best Song - "It Goes Like it Goes," from Norma Rae (1980), "Up Where We Belong," (with Joe Cocker) from "An Officer and a Gentleman" (1982), & "I've Had the Time of My Life," (with Bill Medley) from "Dirty Dancing" (1987). (Her duets with Cocker & Medley were also #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.)
She toured with Leonard Cohen in 1972 & 1979. In 1987, she recorded "Famous Blue Raincoat" - an album of Cohen's compositions.
Up Where We Belong
Jennifer Warnes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a world few hearts survive
All I know is the way I feel
When it's real, I keep it alive
The road is long
There are mountains in our way
But we climb a step every day
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world below
Up where the clear winds blow
Some hang on to used to be
Live their lives looking behind
All we have is here and now
All our lives, out there to find
The road is long
There are mountains in our way
But we climb a step every day
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world we know
Where the clear winds blow
Time goes by
No time to cry
Life's you and I
Alive today
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world we know
Where the clear winds blow
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
"Up Where We Belong" is a romantic duet performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, composed by Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Will Jennings. The song was initially used as the theme song for the 1982 American romantic drama "An Officer and a Gentleman." The lyrics of the song speak of the uncertainties of life, but the power of love allows them to climb every mountain on their way. The first verse, for instance, portrays the uncertainties of life and reminds us that none of us can predict the future. Jennifer Warnes sings, 'Who knows what tomorrow brings' indicating that the future is unpredictable, and it's impossible to tell what's waiting ahead. Navigating through challenges, we encounter, love is a powerful force that keeps us strong.
The chorus provides a moment of empowerment, as Cocker and Warnes sing, "Love lift us up where we belong/ Where the eagles cry/ On a mountain high." The lines show that love is the one thing that can bring us higher or lift us from despair, even when things look dim. They remind us of the beacon of light that love can be, a strong force capable of lifting us to greater heights. The second verse encourages people to live in the present moment and not to dwell on the past. The song's conclusion also presents a sense of vitality and hope as the artists belt the lyrics, "Love lift us up where we belong," indicating that love can take us to a place where we feel uplifted and free.
Line by Line Meaning
Who knows what tomorrow brings
The future is always uncertain, we cannot predict what's going to happen.
In a world few hearts survive
The world can be a cruel and unforgiving place, and only those with strong hearts can survive it.
All I know is the way I feel
The only thing that's certain is the way we feel about things or people.
When it's real, I keep it alive
True feelings and emotions are worth fighting for, no matter how difficult things get.
The road is long
Life is a journey, and it's often a long and winding road.
There are mountains in our way
There will always be obstacles and challenges that we must overcome.
But we climb a step every day
Despite the challenges we face, we must keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Love lift us up where we belong
Love has the power to take us to new heights, both literally and figuratively.
Where the eagles cry
High up in the mountains, where eagles soar, is a place of freedom and beauty.
On a mountain high
Being high up on a mountain symbolizes conquering challenges and rising above adversity.
Far from the world below
Up in the mountains, there's a sense of detachment from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Where the clear winds blow
The mountains are often windy, but the air is fresh and the view is breathtaking.
Some hang on to used to be
Some people live in the past, holding onto what was instead of looking to the future.
Live their lives looking behind
Living in the past can prevent us from fully enjoying the present and pursuing our dreams.
All we have is here and now
The present moment is all we truly have, and it's important to make the most of it.
All our lives, out there to find
Life is a journey of discovery, and we must find our own path and purpose.
Time goes by
Time waits for no one, and it's important to make the most of every moment.
No time to cry
We must keep moving forward, even when faced with adversity, and not waste time on regret.
Life's you and I
Life is for living, and it's up to each of us to make the most of it.
Alive today
We are here today, and it's important to make the most of the time we have.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Saint-Marie, Will Jennings
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind