Hudson rose to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, placing seventh. She made her film debut as Effie White in the musical Dreamgirls (2006), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the youngest African-American to win in a competitive acting category. After signing to Arista Records, Hudson released her self-titled debut studio album in 2008, which was certified Gold in the US and the UK, and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
Hudson's subsequent studio albums, I Remember Me (2011) and JHUD (2014), both charted within the top ten of the Billboard 200, with the former also being certified Gold in the US. Meanwhile, her other acting roles include the films Sex and the City (2008), The Secret Life of Bees (2008), Winnie Mandela (2011), Black Nativity (2013), Sing (2016), Cats (2019) and Respect (2021), the television shows Smash (2012), Empire (2015) and Confirmation (2016), and her Broadway debut with the musical The Color Purple. Hudson also contributed as a coach on the UK and the US version of The Voice from 2017 up to 2019, becoming the first female coach to win the former.
Don't Look Down
Jennifer Hudson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make me wanna say
"Ooh, look down"
It breaks my heart up every time
Then I think about what you told me that night
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide
No way I can escape what's in my mind
Oh, that's the way love goes
Love it takes you up, it takes you down, got you going all around.
Oh, that's the way our love goes
Open up your mind now don't be blind, I know baby you will find
[Chorus]
There is no limit to how,
How we can go, if we don't look down
Don't live in the limits,
Let's go higher and higher
Don't look down
Broken hearts and broken dreams
Baby nothing's broken, as it seems
Gotta find a way to let it flow (oh oh)
I know that there's a higher place to go
Oh that's the way love goes
Baby if it's real, then here's the biz, gotta accept it how it is
Oh, that's the way our love goes
Open up your mind now don't be blind, I know baby you will find
[Chorus]
Ooh, see we cannot let go
And there's no looking down
When you walk on the side road
Gotta keep your eyes on the highest tracks of love
You don't have to worry
Don't you worry bout a thing
Just keep your eyes above
One, two, three sing
There is no limit to how,
How we can go, if we don't look down
Don't live in the limits
Let's go higher and higher
Don't look down
There is no limit to how
How we can go, if we don't look down
Don't live in the limits
Let's go higher and higher
I'm telling you don't look down
The song "Don't Look Down" by Jennifer Hudson speaks about being in love and the challenges that come with it. The chorus suggests that there is no limit to how much one can achieve in a relationship if they don't look down or dwell on the negative aspects of it. The first verse speaks about how love can break a person's heart, but the singer is reminded of what their loved one told them and feels trapped in their feelings. In the second verse, the singer is trying to find a way to move on from the past and focus on the future, which they believe is brighter.
The phrase "Don't look down" is a metaphor for choosing to focus on the positives in a relationship rather than the negatives. The song urges the listener to keep their mind open and not be blinded by their emotions, which can lead to negative consequences.
Overall, the song is an empowering and uplifting anthem about choosing to focus on the good in a relationship and not let the setbacks bring you down.
Line by Line Meaning
You know that thing, that love thing
Make me wanna say
"Ooh, look down"
The feeling of love makes me nervous and scared but I still want to experience it.
It breaks my heart up every time
Then I think about what you told me that night
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide
No way I can escape what's in my mind
Talking about love and relationships reminds me of painful past experiences which I cannot forget or run away from.
Oh, that's the way love goes
Love it takes you up, it takes you down, got you going all around.
Oh, that's the way our love goes
Open up your mind now don't be blind, I know baby you will find
The way love works is unpredictable and chaotic, it can make you feel like you're on a rollercoaster. But if you're open and honest, you'll find your way through it.
There is no limit to how,
How we can go, if we don't look down
Don't live in the limits,
Let's go higher and higher
Don't look down
There's no ceiling to how far a relationship can go, as long as you don't limit yourself and keep pushing yourself to be better. Don't focus on the negative and keep moving forward.
Broken hearts and broken dreams
Baby nothing's broken, as it seems
Gotta find a way to let it flow (oh oh)
I know that there's a higher place to go
Even though heartbreak and failure may seem like the end, there's always a way to move forward and find success. You need to let go of the negative and aim for something better.
Ooh, see we cannot let go
And there's no looking down
When you walk on the side road
Gotta keep your eyes on the highest tracks of love
You don't have to worry
Don't you worry bout a thing
Just keep your eyes above
One, two, three sing
Don't let go of your dreams or your love, and always aim for the best no matter what. Don't worry about the obstacles, keep your eyes on the prize and keep moving forward.
There is no limit to how,
How we can go, if we don't look down
Don't live in the limits
Let's go higher and higher
Don't look down
Reiterating that there's no limit to what a relationship can achieve, as long as you don't focus on the negative and keep pushing yourself to be better.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALICIA AUGELLO-COOK, SALAAM REMI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kenna
This is what the world needs right now incredible melodies and music like this that touches the soul!!! First time I heard this song I had goosebumps from head to toes. I been playing this song all day💯 Hopefully one day my music can inspire the masses such as Jennifer. But as for now I’m just happy being a fan💪🏾
2006babyJoe_
Jennifer has such a powerful, strong voice some artists only dream of.
JonesieLuv
This is my new pick-me-up song!! Love it!
jean002able
OMG!! Jennifer Hudson is both amazing and incredible as a person and artist. I love her voice and music.
blaque manhattan
this is why jennifer hudson is singing music!!! this song is so uplifting and powerful
Tyrone Davis
Nice dance jam. She has a amazing voice.
ThatGurlLarri504
This song is so inspiring, I feel like I can do anything if I put my mind to it. Love the hand clap at the end of the song!
Joseph Grace
STILL LOVE THIS SONG IN '22!!😍😍 JENNIFER HUDSON THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR GIFT!
HARRIO333
Jennifer is truly AMAZING!!
Vandesha Walker
I listen to this song all the time everyday. I love it I can't wait til I get her CD.