Known as the artist who "bridged the gap," Warwick's soulful blend of pop, gospel and R&B music transcended racial, cultural, national, and musical boundaries.
Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, Warwick collaborated with many of her musical peers, including Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osbourne, Kashif and Stevie Wonder. Warwick was also host of the hit television music show, "Solid Gold." In addition, she recorded several theme songs, including "Champagne Wishes & Caviar Dreams," for the popular television series "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous," and "The Love Boat," for the hit series from Aaron Spelling. More recently, Warwick recorded her first Christmas album entitled "My Favorite Time of the Year" featured jazzy interpretations of many holiday classics. In 2007, Rhino Records re-released the CD with new cover art, a critically acclaimed Gospel album, "Why We Sing," for Rhino/Warner Records, and a new jazz album, "Only Trust Your Heart," a collection of standards, celebrating the music of legendary composer Sammy Cahn for Sony Red/MPCA Records.
Dionne Warwick has won 5 Grammy Awards during her music career:
• 1969: "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" for the single, "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?"
• 1971: "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" for the single, "I'll Never Fall in Love Again"
• 1979: "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" for the single, "Déjà Vu"
• 1979: "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" for the single, "I'll Never Love This Way Again"
• 1986: "Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal" for the single, "That's What Friends Are For"
Dionne Warwick was born in a musical family of which numerous superstars arose.
Warwick's sister Dee Dee Warwick had a successful singing career, Warwick's aunt is gospel singer Cissy Houston, and one of Warwick's cousins is Whitney Houston.
Don't go breaking my heart
Dionne Warwick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I couldn't if I tried
Honey if I get restless
Baby you're not that kind
Don't go breaking my heart
You take the weight off me
Honey when you knock on my door
Nobody knows it
When I was down
I was your clown
Nobody knows it
Right from the start
I gave you my heart
I gave you my heart
So don't go breaking my heart
I won't go breaking your heart
Don't go breaking my heart
And nobody told us
'Cause nobody showed us
And now it's up to us babe
I think we can make it
So don't misunderstand me
You put the light in my life
You put the sparks to the flame
I've got your heart in my sights
"Don't go Breaking My Heart" is a song about the fear of being hurt by a loved one. The first and second verses set a loving tone that establishes the closeness of the relationship between the singer and the person she is addressing. She tells the recipient not to break her heart because she has given them everything - her heart, her key to her home, and a lot more than anyone else knows. She admits that she was down and vulnerable, but the person she's speaking to became her clown and cheered her up. In the chorus, she asks the person not to break her heart, promising not to break theirs either. The lyrics mean that the singer knows their connection is unique, and she needs the other person to be gentle with her.
The third verse explains that the two parties are in uncharted territory. Nobody showed them how to love, so they have to figure it out together, but the singer has faith that they will make it. The final verse acknowledges that the person she is addressing has given her life meaning and purpose. The spark of their love has grown into a fire that will never be extinguished. The repetition of "Don't go breaking my heart" and "I won't go breaking your heart" emphasizes that the singer believes the success of their relationship depends on mutual respect and care.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't go breaking my heart
I'm asking you not to hurt me emotionally and damage my love for you
I couldn't if I tried
It's impossible for me to damage my love for you because I love you too much
Honey if I get restless
My love for you is so strong that I may only get restless if you're not around
Baby you're not that kind
But I know you would never leave me alone and cause me that restlessness
You take the weight off me
Being with you makes me feel lighter and happier, without any worries
Honey when you knock on my door
I always welcome you with open arms and happiness every time you visit me
I gave you my key
I trust and love you so much that I gave you complete access to my life
Nobody knows it
I carefully hide my true feelings from others and keep them between you and me
When I was down
During the tough times, which we all go through, I was sad and lonely
I was your clown
But you were always there to cheer me up and make me feel better, like a playful clown
Right from the start
I loved you and gave you my heart completely from the very beginning
I gave you my heart
My love for you is strong and unwavering, and I trust you completely with my heart
So don't go breaking my heart
I'm asking you again to not hurt me emotionally or break my trust
I won't go breaking your heart
And I promise to never hurt or damage your trust in me either
And nobody told us
We weren't guided or instructed about love, but we figured it out together
'Cause nobody showed us
We had to learn on our own without any examples or guidance from others
And now it's up to us babe
We're the only ones responsible and capable of keeping our love strong and healthy
I think we can make it
But I'm confident in our love and our ability to overcome any challenges that come our way
So don't misunderstand me
I hope that my words and actions are clear and that you understand my love for you
You put the light in my life
Your presence and love bring brightness and happiness into my life
You put the sparks to the flame
Your love ignites passion and excitement in our relationship
I've got your heart in my sights
I promise to nurture and protect your heart with my love and care
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lily Bond
Burt Bacharach sure was able to tap into the Divine. He had such a beautiful style of music.
Daria Spenke
I enjoy all three renditions, Dionne Warwick and the female group. Oh! Also the instrumental one
Corey Sheppard
Expert songwriting, production and singing here.
Janetraebird8
My father O.B. Masingill arranged all the music on this album as well as conducted the orchestra. It is an outstanding record.
Corey Sheppard
@Janetraebird8 he did a marvelous job. Over 50 years old and these songs are still played and adored. You should be proud
Ronnie Damnitz
@Janetraebird8 simply wow! I. Hope he's still with us!
Janetraebird8
@Ronnie Damnitz Dad passed away Feb 1979, at age 58. He (and his brother Jeff) were said to be a musical geniuses. Thank you for your kind words... check out early Roy Hamilton... Dad did his albums too.
Janetraebird8
@Corey Sheppard thank you for your kind words, Our family is very proud of O.B. He was known as a musical genius. He played lead trombone w Claude Thornhill and Charlie Barnett...arranged and played with Kai Winding... all these cats from the 50's & 60's knew each other from the war, many were stationed at Pearl Harbor...
james evans
her beauty is breath taking.
Doug McBroom
How easily Dionne glides over the complicated rhythms and time changes of Bacharach’s music—making the difficult sound simple.