Breathe Again

"Breathe Again" is a song by American R&B singer Toni Braxton. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and produced by Edmonds, L.A. Reid, and Daryl Simmons for Braxton's self-titled debut album (1993). Its lyrics evokes a sense of nostalgia from a relationship that has run its course. The ballad was released as the album's second single in 1993.

This article is about the Toni Braxton song. For other uses, see Breathe Again (disambiguation).
"Breathe Again"
Single by Toni Braxton
from the album Toni Braxton
ReleasedAugust 6, 1993
Recorded1992
Length4:29
LabelLaFace
Songwriter(s)Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
Producer(s)
Toni Braxton singles chronology
"Another Sad Love Song"
(1993)		 "Breathe Again"
(1993)		 "Seven Whole Days"
(1993)
Music video
"Breathe Again" on YouTube

The single peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles and Adult Contemporary charts. "Breathe Again" became one of Braxton's most successful international hits, reaching number two in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and peaking within the top 10 in several European countries and Canada. The song earned Braxton her second consecutive Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1995.

"Breathe Again" was included in all of the greatest hits collections released by Braxton, including Ultimate Toni Braxton (2003), Platinum & Gold Collection (2004), The Essential Toni Braxton (2007), Playlist: The Very Best of Toni Braxton (2008) and Breathe Again: The Best of Toni Braxton (2009).[1]

Background and composition

After the success of the previous single, "Another Sad Love Song", "Breathe Again" was released as the second official single from Toni Braxton's self-titled album, on August 6, 1993. "Breathe Again" was written and produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, with co-production being handled by Daryl Simmons and L.A. Reid.[1] Lyrically, in "Breathe Again", Braxton would crumble and have a nervous breakdown if her boyfriend were to break up with her, singing, "If I never feel you in my arms again/If I never feel your tender kiss again/If I never hear I love you now and then/Will I never make love to you once again/Please understand/If love ends/Then I promise you, I promise you, that/That I shall never breathe again."[2]

Critical reception

"Breathe Again" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Ron Wynn of AllMusic picked the song as a highlight from the album, writing that "Braxton's husky, enticing voice sounds hypnotic on the track."[3] According to Daryl Easlea of BBC Music, the song "fully established Braxton," calling it "a delicate ballad that refused to resort wholly to cliché, it is brought to life by Braxton’s dreamy, breathy delivery."[4] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as "a yearning, R&B-framed ballad." He added, "Once again, her vocal is expressive and moving—mostly due to an unusual willingness to let some rough-edged notes mingle with the sweet diva-like tones. Braxton's earthy personality makes her seem more accessible than a lot of other chest-pounding singers."[5] Also Mitchell May of Chicago Tribune was very positive, writing that "the way her voice throbs when she sings, 'I can't stop thinking about you,' conveys a sense of despair and longing that is rare."[6] John Martinucci from Gavin Report described it as "melancholy".[7] People magazine called the song "haunting", writing that, "The quaver in her voice says more about love's promise and deceit than many singers manage in a career."[8] John McAlley of Rolling Stone called it "the album's best material", writing that "Braxton's love hangover has reached ludicrously epic proportions."[9] Steve Pick from St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted that "here's another sad love song from a sultry alto singer who seems to be getting the best of the LaFace production team's work this year. This pretty tune benefits greatly from Braxton's ability to hint at the over-the-top histrionics she never quite falls into. As a result, it's both smooth and edgy."[10] James Hunter from Vibe said that Babyface's writing on "Breathe Again" "gives the deserving future star melodic peaks and valleys to explore with her gorgeously detailed, unconceited voice."[11]

Chart performance

"Breathe Again" was Braxton's first worldwide hit. In the United States, the song was a success, reaching number three for three non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.[12] It spent 17 weeks in the top ten. On the Billboard genre charts, "Breathe Again" also reached high positions, peaking at number two on the Mainstream Top 40[13] and number four on both the Adult Contemporary and Hot R&B Singles charts.[14][15] It sold 500,000 copies domestically, earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.[16] In the United Kingdom, "Breathe Again" debuted and peaked at number two on January 15, 1994, becoming her best charting-single in the UK along with "Un-Break My Heart".[17]

In Australia, the song debuted at number 47 on the ARIA Singles Chart on March 20, 1994, and reached number two on May 1, 1994, remaining at the same position for two further weeks.[18] It spent 17 weeks on the ARIA Singles Chart and ranked at number 20 on ARIA's year-end chart for 1994.[19] In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 20 on the RIANZ chart on December 12, 1993. In its eighth week, the song climbed to number two, its peak position. It spent four non-consecutive weeks at the position and 21 weeks on the RIANZ chart, becoming Braxton's best-performing single in New Zealand.[20] The song earned a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1995, becoming Braxton's second consecutive Grammy Award in the same category. In Zimbabwe the song was voted as the best song of the year at the end of year music chart and was the most played song of the same year.

Music video
Braxton in the video, wearing a "17th-century" dress, running through a maze.

The accompanying music video, directed by Randee St. Nicholas, was filmed in England and is set in black-and-white format. The concept was Braxton running through a maze, clearing her thoughts of a special kind of love. On her DVD, From Toni with Love... The Video Collection, two other versions of the video are also featured: the "European version" and the "Spanish version".[21] On the same DVD, Braxton commented about the video, saying, "This video was originally filmed in color and Randee St. Nicholas, the director, didn't like the maze part, she said it looked like piles of dirt, instead of these beautiful green [...], she said it looked like chunks of rock, so she put it in black and white."[21] About her look, she said, "I remember my stylist was going crazy, trying to find a 17th-century dress, and my hair was short, and I didn't want to wear wigs and my stylist put these little extensions in my hair and It was so cold and the dress was so heavy."[21]

Track listings and formats

US CD single

  1. "Breathe Again" (Radio Edit)
  2. "Breathe Again" (Extended Mix)
  3. "Breathe Again" (Breathless Mix)
  4. "Breathe Again" (Club Mix)
  5. "Breathe Again" (Spanish Version)

UK and German CD single

  1. "Breathe Again" (Radio Edit)
  2. "Breathe Again" (D'Jeep Mix)
  3. "Breathe Again" (Extended Club Mix)
  4. "Breathe Again" (D'Moody Mix)
  5. "Breathe Again" (Breathless Mix)
  6. "Breathe Again" (Spanish Version)

Spanish CD single

  1. "Breathe Again" (Versión en Castellano)
  2. "Another Sad Love Song" (Album Version)

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[19] Platinum 70,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] Platinum 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[49] Silver 200,000^
United States (RIAA)[16] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions
  • In 1996, contemporary jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb presented his version from the album The Music Inside.[50]
  • In 2002, Jazz trumpeter Greg Adams covered the song on his album "Midnight Morning".[51]
  • In 2004, Sweet Tea covered the song on the compilation album Reggae Gold 1994.[52]
  • In 2006, R&B singer Margot B. covered the song on her album Margot B. Inspired.[53]

References
  1. "Breathe Again – Toni Braxton | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  2. "Music Review: Toni Braxton "Breathe Again"". The Bland Is Out There. July 3, 2005. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  3. Wynn, Ron. Toni Braxton – Toni Braxton at AllMusic. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  4. Easlea, Daryl (2010). "BBC – Music – Review of Toni Braxton – Toni Braxton". BBC Music. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  5. Flick, Larry (October 23, 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 91. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  6. May, Mitchell (October 7, 1993). "Toni Braxton Toni Braxton (LaFace)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  7. Martinucci, John (July 23, 1993). "Gavin Picks: Albums" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 50. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  8. "Picks and Pans Review: Toni Braxton". People Magazine. August 23, 1993. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  9. McAlley, John (November 25, 1993). "Toni Braxton: Toni Braxton : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  10. Pick, Steve. (December 10, 1993). "AN UPDATE ON THE MTV SINGLES SCENE". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  11. "Single File". Vibe. November 1, 1993. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  12. "Toni Braxton Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  13. "Toni Braxton Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  14. "Toni Braxton Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  15. "Toni Braxton Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  16. "American single certifications – Toni Braxton – Breathe Again". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 25, 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  17. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  18. "Australian-charts.com – Toni Braxton – Breathe Again". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  19. "1994 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  20. "Charts.nz – Toni Braxton – Breathe Again". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  21. "From Toni With Love...The Video Collection – Sony Music Entertainment Germany". Sony Music. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  22. "Ultratop.be – Toni Braxton – Breathe Again" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  23. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2375." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  24. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2390." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  25. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 8. February 19, 1994. p. 15. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  26. "Offiziellecharts.de – Toni Braxton – Breathe Again". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  27. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (09.12.1993 – 15.12.1993)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  28. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Breathe Again". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  29. "Nederlandse Top 40 – 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  30. "Dutchcharts.nl – Toni Braxton – Breathe Again" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  31. "Norwegiancharts.com – Toni Braxton – Breathe Again". VG-lista. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  32. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  33. "Swedishcharts.com – Toni Braxton – Breathe Again". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  34. "Toni Braxton Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  35. "Toni Braxton Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  37. "1994 Year End Chart: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  38. "Jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  39. "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  40. "RPM Top 100 AC tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  41. "1994 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  42. "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  43. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1994" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  44. "End of Year Charts 1994". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  45. "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. January 14, 1995. p. 9.
  46. "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  47. "1994 Year End Chart: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  48. "New Zealand single certifications – Toni Braxton – Breathe Again". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  49. "British single certifications – Toni Braxton – Breathe Again". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  50. "The Music Inside – Chuck Loeb – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  51. http://www.discogs.com/Greg-Adams-Midnight-Morning/release/5983049
  52. "Reggae Gold 1994 Various Artists – iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  53. "Margot B. Inspired – Margot B. – iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
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