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.
I Know A Heartache When I See One
Jennifer Warnes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blowin' up the road
Shining like a northern star
Actin' like the answers
To all my prayers
But, baby, I know what you really are
[Chorus]
I won't be home anymore
You can find me out walking in the sun
Oh, you hide it so well
It isn't easy to tell
But I know a heartache
When I see one
There was a time
I was a true believer
Your love was the only way
Well you can save all your sweet talkin'
For some other fool
Only a fool would believe what you say
[Chorus]
Time is a teacher
Oh, and it's taught me well
The loser is the one who cries
And when you've cried like a baby
And you've hurt like hell
You know the devil
By the look in his eyes
[Chorus: x2]
I know a heartache when I see one
In Jennifer Warnes's song, "I Know A Heartache When I See One," the singer catches her lover in lies and deceptions, recognizing that his words and actions contradict each other. She likens his behavior to a gust of wind, which can appear beautiful and promising, but ultimately proves untrustworthy. Although her lover may be able to conceal his true intentions, pretending to be a shining star, the singer is wise enough to see through his façade. She warns him not to bother trying to contact her again, as she has no interest in continuing their relationship.
The singer reflects on the past, recalling a time when she believed her lover's promises of love, but now recognizes that these were simply empty words. She encourages him to save his lies and flattery for someone else, as she is no longer willing to be deceived. As time has passed, the singer has come to understand that those who show their vulnerability and pain are the strongest, as opposed to those who try to hide their true selves behind pretty words and appearances. She has suffered through heartbreak and pain, and recognizes the same pain in others.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at what the wind's
I can see what's coming down the road
Blowin' up the road
There's trouble coming my way
Shining like a northern star
You appear to be a guiding light in a dark situation
Actin' like the answers
You're pretending to have all the solutions to my problems
To all my prayers
You are offering things that seem too good to be true
But, baby, I know what you really are
I can see through your facade and know your true intentions
So don't you knock on my door
Don't bother trying to come back to me
I won't be home anymore
I'm not waiting for you
You can find me out walking in the sun
I'm moving on with my life and enjoying myself
Oh, you hide it so well
You are good at disguising your true nature
It isn't easy to tell
It's hard to see through your lies
But I know a heartache
I've been hurt before
When I see one
I can recognize the signs of heartache
There was a time
I used to believe in you
I was a true believer
I trusted you completely
Your love was the only way
I thought your love would solve everything
Well you can save all your sweet talkin'
Don't try to sweet talk me
For some other fool
Someone else may fall for your lies
Only a fool would believe what you say
I'm not foolish enough to believe your lies
Time is a teacher
The passing of time has taught me many things
Oh, and it's taught me well
I've learned my lessons the hard way
The loser is the one who cries
The one who is hurt the most loses
And when you've cried like a baby
When you've been hurt badly
And you've hurt like hell
When you've been in immense pain
You know the devil
You can recognize the source of your pain
By the look in his eyes
Through their actions and words
Chorus: x2
Refrain from knocking on my door
I know a heartache when I see one
I can recognize the signs of heartache
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charlie Black, Kerry Chater, Rory M. Bourke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Geraldine Pontanares
Look at what the wind's
Blowin' up the road
Shining like a northern star
Actin' like the answers
To all my prayers
But, baby, I know what you really are
So don't you knock on my door
I won't be home anymore
You can find me out walking in the sun
Oh, you hide it so well
It isn't easy to tell
But I know a heartache
When I see one
There was a time
I was a true believer
Your love was the only way
Well you can save all your sweet talkin'
For some other fool
Only a fool would believe what you say
So don't you knock on my door
I won't be home anymore
You can find me out walking in the sun
Oh, you hide it so well
It isn't easy to tell
But I know a heartache
When I see one
Time is a teacher
Oh, and it's taught me well
The loser is the one who cries
And when you've cried like a baby
And you've hurt like hell
You know the devil
By the look in his eyes
So don't you knock on my door
I won't be home anymore
You can find me out walking in the sun
Oh, you hide it so well
It isn't easy to tell
But I know a heartache
When I see one
So don't you knock on my door
I won't be home anymore
You can find me out walking in the sun
Oh, you hide it so well
It isn't easy to tell
But I know a heartache
When I see one
Mike Preston-Engel
An underrated artist in my opinion. She may not have the vocal ranges of other ntop female singers, but she knows how to draw out the most emotional aspects of any song she takes on.
I can't think of anyone else who can take a simple vocal arrangement like this heart-rending number and make it personal for the listener.
nicconley
Always thought Jennifer had a very "Ronstadt" quality in her voice. Amazing talent.
Joe Jones
@Jim Killeen better
R S
@Jim Killeen yeah. Boisterous is a great descriptor. The ONLY female vocalist in the history of entertainment was Ethel Merman. I bet nobody on here remembers her but me.
Jim Killeen
I agree that Linda was more boisterous, and Jennifer is more vocally talented, but..c'mon Linda was Great!
cosmicdust
@R S what?
Green Wave
I always thought Ronstadt had a very Warnes quality in her voice. To be young and on a picnic with your love, and then this.... even walking in the rain is good
Sanjeev Howard
I love, love, love her voice. She can really sing. When I was a young boy in the 70s, I loved this song and "Right time of the Night" by Jennifer
MrJamieMurph4141969
So did I, still do love both songs.
Laurie Kester
Great song. Great intro. Instantly recognizable.