The renowned lyricist behind some of the most enduring songs in pop culture and cinema, Will Jennings, has passed away at the age of 80. His talent agency confirmed his death on Friday, September 6, 2024 following several years of deteriorating health. He died at his residence in Tyler, Texas. “May his memory be a blessing,” expressed Sam Schwartz from The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Inc.
Jennings, born in Kilgore, Texas on June 27, 1944, initially embarked on a career as an English professor before switching to songwriting full-time. His talent for creating deeply moving lyrics led to collaborations with a host of illustrious artists, resulting in some of the most cherished songs of the past few decades.
Among his most recognized works are the Titanic theme song “My Heart Will Go On,” performed by Celine Dion, and “Tears in Heaven,” co-written with Eric Clapton. Both songs won him Academy Awards, adding to his impressive collection of accolades, which includes three Grammy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.
Throughout his career, Jennings showcased his adaptability by writing for a wide range of artists, including Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, B.B. King, Mariah Carey, Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow, and Roy Orbison. His collaborations crossed musical genres and generations, demonstrating his ability to mold his writing style to suit different musical personas.
One of Jennings’ early successes was the 1977 hit “Looks Like We Made It,” co-written with composer Richard Kerr for Barry Manilow. This partnership yielded another top-10 hit for Manilow two years later, “Somewhere in the Night.”
Jennings’ partnership with Steve Winwood was notably successful, resulting in a series of hit songs and albums. Their collaboration started with Winwood’s 1981 album “Arc of a Diver” and continued with “Talking Back to the Night” in 1982, which featured the hit “Valerie.” Their collaboration peaked with the 1986 album “Back in the High Life,” which included the Grammy-nominated song “Higher Love.”
In 1982, Jennings received his first Academy Award for “Up Where We Belong,” a song he co-wrote with Jack Nitzsche and Buffy Sainte-Marie. The song, performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, was used in the film “An Officer and a Gentleman” and topped the charts.
Jennings’ knack for conveying raw emotion in his lyrics was perhaps most clearly demonstrated in his 1991 collaboration with Eric Clapton on “Tears in Heaven.” The song, composed for the movie “Rush,” won Jennings a Grammy Award for Song of the Year and deeply touched audiences around the world.
However, it was the 1997 blockbuster “Titanic” that solidified Jennings’ place in music history. The film’s theme, “My Heart Will Go On,” co-written with composer James Horner and performed by Celine Dion, became a worldwide sensation. The song earned Jennings his second Academy Award and is considered one of the most frequently played radio hits in history.
Following the news of Jennings’ death, several musicians and collaborators paid tribute. Peter Wolf, who worked with Jennings on two albums, described him as a maestro with an exceptional mind and gentle spirit. Wolf also noted that Jennings generously shared his talents and was always patient and kind. Musician Christopher Cross, who had the opportunity to work with Jennings, referred to the experience as a “master class in lyric writing.”
Jennings’ influence on the music industry was formally acknowledged in 2006 when he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, cementing his reputation as one of the most accomplished and celebrated lyricists of his era.
Besides his achievements in popular music, Jennings also made considerable contributions to film soundtracks. In addition to his famous hits, he composed “Where Are You Christmas?” with James Horner and Mariah Carey for the film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and “One Day I’ll Fly Away,” featured in the movie “Moulin Rouge!”
Jennings is survived by his wife, Carole Elizabeth Thurman, and his sisters, Joyce and Gloria. He did not have any children.
