Peak
1
Weeks
42
Score
10,664
Chart Year
1996
This is a song of blistering heartbreak, as Braxton sings to her former lover, begging him to return to her and undo all the pain he has caused. It was written by Diane Warren, who creates very emotional songs with big, hooky choruses and titles that tell a story in just a few words: "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing," "Why Did You Have To Be," "Save Up All Your Tears." Warren was surprised the phrase "Un-Break My Heart" hadn't been used as a title before. On the UK show Songbook, Diane Warren explained that she knew the song was a winner when she came up with the title and started to work it out, but the woman who sang it felt differently. Said Warren: "Toni Braxton hated that song. She didn't want to do it. And then after she had a hit with it she told me she didn't want another one of those." David Foster produced this track. Like Diane Warren, he has a remarkable ability to craft a hit song. Some of the songs he's worked on as a writer or producer include "After The Love Has Gone," "Through The Fire" and "You're the Inspiration." This song was a massive hit, spending 11 weeks at #1 in the US and winning Braxton a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Legal issues and a bankruptcy filing kept Braxton from capitalizing on the success of this song, and she didn't release another album until 2000 with The Heat. Shanice Wilson, who had a big hit in 1991 with "I Love Your Smile," sang backup on this track. Based on chart performance this is Diane Warren's most successful song in the US as a songwriter. This topped the charts in a number of other countries including Sweden, Switzerland and Austria.
Don't leave me out in the rain Come back and bring back my smile Come and take these tears away I need your arms to hold me now The nights are so unkind Bring back those nights When I held you beside me (CHORUS) Unbreak my heart Say you'll love me again Undo this hurt you caused When you walked out the door And walked out of my life Uncry these tears I cried so many nights Unbreak my heart, my heart Take back that sad word goodbye Bring back the joy to my life Don't leave me here with these tears Come and kiss this pain away I can't forget the day you left Time is so unkind And life is so cruel Without you here beside me (CHORUS) Uncry these tears I cried so many nights Unbreak my heart, hooo Don't leave me in all this pain Don't leave me out in the rain Bring back the nights When I held you beside me (CHORUS) Uncry these tears I cried so many, many nights Unbreak my, unbreak my heart Oh, baby Come back and say you love me Unbreak my heart, sweet darling Without you I just can't go on Cant go on
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 26, 1996 | 22 | 104 |
| 2 | Nov 2, 1996 | 9 | 117 |
| 3 | Nov 9, 1996 | 5 | 121 |
| 4 | Nov 16, 1996 | 3 | 123 |
| 5 | Nov 23, 1996 | 3 | 123 |
| 6 | Nov 30, 1996 | 2 | 124 |
| 7 | Dec 7, 1996 | 1 | 125 |
| 8 | Dec 14, 1996 | 1 | 125 |
| 9 | Dec 21, 1996 | 1 | 125 |
| 10 | Dec 28, 1996 | 1 | 125 |
| 11 | Jan 4, 1997 | 1 | 125 |
| 12 | Jan 11, 1997 | 1 | 125 |
| 13 | Jan 18, 1997 | 1 | 125 |
| 14 | Jan 25, 1997 | 1 | 125 |
| 15 | Feb 1, 1997 | 1 | 125 |
| 16 | Feb 8, 1997 | 1 | 125 |
| 17 | Feb 15, 1997 | 1 | 125 |
| 18 | Feb 22, 1997 | 2 | 124 |
| 19 | Mar 1, 1997 | 2 | 124 |
| 20 | Mar 8, 1997 | 3 | 123 |