Categories: Back In The BeatToni Braxton

Back In The Beat: Toni Braxton – ‘Unbreak My Heart’

Published: Saturday 12th Dec 2009 by Trent

Pop music’s most famous contralto, Toni Braxton, took the charts by storm with her classic hit ‘Unbreak My Heart’ on December 7th, 1996. The ballad, which was written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster, was the diva’s 2nd consecutive #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining at the charts peak for an impressive 11 weeks. In addition, the song is ranked as the 10th most successful single in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, representing the 3rd longest run that a female act has ever had at the top of the chart. ‘Unbreak My Heart’ was also a major success in other countries, charting at #2 in the UK and in the top 10 of several other territories. Braxton received her 4th Grammy Award with the success of the song, that time for ‘Best Female Pop Vocal Performance’ which remains the only time that the singer captured top honors in that category to date.

Whenever I think of the most difficult vocal performances ever put on record, this song is always near the top of that list. Braxton’s husky and dark timbre, combined with her expansive vocal range, set her apart from the majority of her contemporaries. I remember watching Alexandra Burke perform this on ‘The X-Factor’, and while she did handle herself quite well, there was no doubt that Braxton’s original version remains the golden standard. Truly a masterpiece.