Will Jennings, known for his Oscar-winning lyrics in some of film and some of popular music’s most significant songs, passed away at the age of 80. His talent agency, The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Inc., confirmed his death on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at his residence in Tyler, Texas, following years of deteriorating health. “May his memory be a blessing,” stated Sam Schwartz of the agency.
Born on June 27, 1944, in Kilgore, Texas, Jennings initially worked as an English professor before transitioning to a full-time songwriting career. His knack for creating emotionally impactful lyrics led to collaborations with several prominent artists and resulted in some of the most cherished songs of recent decades.
Jennings’ notable works include the Titanic theme “My Heart Will Go On,” performed by Celine Dion, and “Tears in Heaven,” which he co-wrote with Eric Clapton. These songs earned him Academy Awards, contributing to his extensive list of accomplishments, which also includes three Grammy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.
Jennings showcased his versatility throughout his career, crafting lyrics for a diverse range of artists, including Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, B.B. King, Mariah Carey, Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow, and Roy Orbison. His collaborations crossed musical styles and generations, demonstrating his capacity to modify his writing style to match varying musical tones.
One of Jennings’ early successes materialized in 1977 with Barry Manilow’s hit “Looks Like We Made It,” co-written with composer Richard Kerr. The duo continued their successful partnership in 1979 with another top-10 Manilow hit, “Somewhere in the Night.”
Jennings’ collaboration with Steve Winwood yielded a series of successful albums and popular songs. Their partnership began with Winwood’s 1981 album “Arc of a Diver” and extended to “Talking Back to the Night” in 1982, which produced the hit “Valerie.” Their collaboration peaked with the 1986 album “Back in the High Life,” which featured the Grammy-nominated “Higher Love.”
In 1982, Jennings received his first Academy Award for “Up Where We Belong,” co-written with Jack Nitzsche and Buffy Sainte-Marie. The song, performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes for the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman,” became a chart-topping hit.
The profound emotional resonance of Jennings’ lyrics was particularly evident in 1991’s “Tears in Heaven,” his collaboration with Eric Clapton for the film “Rush.” This song earned Jennings a Grammy Award for Song of the Year and deeply connected with audiences globally.
However, Jennings’ contribution to the 1997 film “Titanic” solidified his place in musical history. The movie’s theme, “My Heart Will Go On,” co-written with composer James Horner and performed by Celine Dion, became an international sensation. This song brought Jennings his second Academy Award and is considered one of the most-played radio hits ever.
The news of Jennings’ death prompted numerous tributes from musicians and collaborators. Peter Wolf, who worked with Jennings on two albums, described him as a maestro with unmatched intellect and a gentle demeanor. Additionally, musician Christopher Cross recalled his collaboration with Jennings as a “master class in lyric writing.”
In 2006, Jennings’ significant contributions to the music industry were recognized with his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This honor affirmed his status as one of the most accomplished and celebrated lyricists of his time.
Beyond his achievements in popular music, Jennings also made notable contributions to film soundtracks. Among his lesser-known works are “Where Are You Christmas?” written with James Horner and Mariah Carey for “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and “One Day I’ll Fly Away,” used in the film “Moulin Rouge!”
Will Jennings is survived by his wife, Carole Elizabeth Thurman, and his sisters, Joyce and Gloria. He did not have any children.
