Up Where We Belong

Joe Cocker, Jennifer Warnes

About Up Where We Belong

"Up Where We Belong" is a song written by Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Will Jennings that was recorded by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes for the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman. Warnes was recommended to sing a song from the film because of her previous soundtrack successes, and she had the idea for the song to be a duet that she would perform with Cocker. Jennings selected various sections of the score by Nitzsche and Sainte-Marie in creating the structure of the song and added lyrics about the struggles of life and love and the obstacles in the way that we attempt to dodge. It was released in July of that year to coincide with the release of the film. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and topped the charts in several other countries. It also sold more than one million copies in the US and was recognized by the Recording Industry Association of America as one of the Songs of the Century. Cocker and Warnes were awarded the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and Nitzsche, Sainte-Marie, and Jennings won both the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. 


Year:
2018
3:52
47 
#2

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Who knows what tomorrow brings
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

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Joe Cocker

John Robert "Joe" Cocker OBE (born 20 May 1944) is an English rock and blues singer, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of the Beatles. more »

4 fans

Written by: Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Saint-Marie, Will Jennings

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


25 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Up Where We Belong" is a pop song written and scored by Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Will Jennings.
Film Association
This song is renowned for its feature in the 1982 film "An Officer and a Gentleman," directed by Taylor Hackford. It was instrumental to the film's storyline, enhancing its popularity.
Iconic Artists
The song was performed by Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker, two acclaimed artists known for their distinct, emotion-filled singing styles.
Award Recognition
In 1983, "Up Where We Belong" won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was also awarded a Golden Globe for best original song in a motion picture the same year.
Chart Success
The song became an international hit, climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It also reached the top of the charts in Canada and was a top 10 hit in several other countries.
Grammy Nomination
"Up Where We Belong" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1983.
Impact on Artists' Careers
For both Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker, "Up Where We Belong" is one of their highest-charting and most recognized songs. For Buffy Sainte-Marie, known more as a folk artist, it marked a successful venture into pop music.
Cover Versions
"Up Where We Belong" has been covered by numerous artists over the years, reflecting its enduring popularity. Some of these include BeBe & CeCe Winans, Cliff Richard, and Gary Morris.
Lyrics theme
The lyrics of the song are uplifting and motivational, conveying a message of love overcoming obstacles: "Love lift us up where we belong, where the eagles cry, on a mountain high."
Impact on Pop Culture
Besides its association with "An Officer and a Gentleman," the song has appeared in numerous other films and TV shows, such as "The Simpsons," "Family Guy," and "Glee," demonstrating its ongoing cultural influence.
Collaboration
"Up Where We Belong" is a collaborative song by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Jennifer Warnes, and Joe Cocker.
Release Year
It was released in 1982.
Film Association
The song is most known as the love theme from the film "An Officer and a Gentleman."
Oscar Winner
In 1983, the song won an Oscar for Best Original Song.
Chart-Topping
The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States for three weeks.
Grammy Nominee
Although it did not win, "Up Where We Belong" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Composer and Lyricists
The song was composed by Jack Nitzsche and co-written by Buffy Sainte-Marie and Will Jennings.
Multi-Covered
It has been covered by multiple artists across different genres since its release.
Prestigious Performances
Joe Cocker performed the song at Ronald Reagan's Presidential Inaugural Gala, which was a prestigious event.
International Success
Globally, the song was also successful, reaching number one in Canada and number seven in the United Kingdom.
Music Video
A music video was released for the song featuring scenes from the film "An Officer and a Gentleman".
Different Versions
Over time, many different versions of the song have been recorded, in several different languages.
Critically Acclaimed
It's considered a classic and is recognized as one of the most successful film songs of all time.
Related to the Plot of the Film
The emotion-evoking lyrics of "Up Where We Belong" is in sync with the plot of the film, enhancing the viewer's experience.
Top 20 Song
Rolling Stone magazine listed "Up Where We Belong" as one of the 20 biggest duets of all time.

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    Up Where We Belong

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1982

    Billboard #1


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