“Un-Break My Heart” by Toni Braxton

To break someone’s heart, in the most-popular usage of the term, and within the context of this song, points to the idea of said individual, succinctly put, being unceremoniously dumped by their significant other. So as illustrated by the track’s title (“Un-Break My Heart”), what the singer is pleading for is that the man she loves, who has left her, to come back. Indeed she presents herself as being an emotional wreck without him, with her current state being a direct result of his departure. And the only way her heart will be mended is if the addressee returns and takes away the pain he caused her by leaving in the first place.

Summary: Toni Braxton is pleading with an estranged lover to come back and “un-break her heart”.

Facts about “Un-Break My Heart”

This song came out on October 21st, 1996 as the second single from Toni Braxton’s sophomore album, “Secrets”. And the label that put it out is LaFace Records.

“Un-Break My Heart” was written by Diane Warren, and the track’s producer is David Foster. Toni didn’t play any role in it’s composition.

According to the history of this song, initially Toni was not fond of it at all. However, at the behest of her label boss, L.A. Reid, she went ahead and recorded it anyway. And ultimately it proved to be one of her signature tunes and her biggest hit from the “Secrets” album.

For example, the track hit number 1 in her homeland of America (the Billboard Hot 100). Furthermore, it topped multiple other Billboard charts as well as the UK R&B Charts and the Eurochart Hot 100. As if this wasn’t enough, it also flew to top of the music charts of a handful of other countries.

And generally speaking it charted in over 25 nations. And in the process of doing so, it has been certified double-Platinum in Norway and Platinum in a bunch of other countries.

Interesting to note is that 1990s’ songstress Shanice provided backup vocals to this tune alongside Braxton. Shanice is best known for a track she dropped in 1991 entitled “I Love Your Smile”.

Did “Un-Break My Heart” win a Grammy?

Yes. In 1997, this number-1 hit won a Grammy for Braxton in the “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” category. In winning this award, it beat a lot of classic hits, including Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me“.