"Another Sad Love Song"
Single by Toni Braxton
from the album Toni Braxton
B-side"Give U My Heart"
ReleasedJune 11, 1993 (1993-06-11)
StudioLaCoCo, Doppler (Atlanta)
Length5:01
LabelLaFace
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Toni Braxton singles chronology
"Love Shoulda Brought You Home"
(1992)		 "Another Sad Love Song"
(1993)		 "Breathe Again"
(1993)
Music video
"Another Sad Love Song" on YouTube

"Another Sad Love Song" is a song by American singer-songwriter Toni Braxton. Written and produced by Daryl Simmons and Babyface, featuring additional production from L.A. Reid, it was released as the lead single and its opening track from Braxton's self-titled debut album (1993) on June 11, 1993, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. Lyrically, it talks about Braxton complaining that every song played on the radio is a reminder of her ex-boyfriend.

"Another Sad Love Song" received widespread acclaim from music critics and earned Braxton her first-ever Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards. It proved to be a success, giving Braxton her first top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Adult Contemporary, while narrowly missing the top position of Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs by peaking at number two. Internationally, the song reached the top twenty in Canada and the United Kingdom, the top thirty in Iceland and the Netherlands, and the top forty in Scotland and on a composite Eurochart Hot 100.

Three different music videos for the song were produced. The first version was filmed in 1992 in black-and-white and featured the original music. The second version was filmed in May 1993 and was shown in color with exterior scenes from the first version. The third version was remixed to appeal to a wider audiences and was primarily shown in Europe. "Another Sad Love Song" has been performed at most of Braxton's concerts, and is featured on many of her greatest hits collections, including Ultimate Toni Braxton (2003), Platinum & Gold Collection (2004), The Essential Toni Braxton (2007) and Breathe Again: The Best of Toni Braxton (2009).[1]

Background and composition

After Braxton released her first solo single, "Love Shoulda Brought You Home", in 1992, as the soundtrack of the film Boomerang, which became her first top-40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, she released "Another Sad Love Song" as the lead single from her self-titled debut album, Toni Braxton, on June 11, 1993.[2]

"Another Sad Love Song" was written and produced by Babyface and Daryl Simmons, with L.A. Reid also producing it.[1] Lyrically, "Another Sad Love Song" talks about Braxton complaining that every song played on the radio is a reminder of her ex-boyfriend. In the chorus, she sings, "It’s just another sad love song/Rackin’ my brain like crazy/Guess I’m all torn up/Be it fast or slow/It doesn’t let go/Or shake me/And it’s all because of you."[3]

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from the majority of the music critics. Ron Wynn of AllMusic named it a highlight from the album, writing that "Braxton's husky, enticing voice sounds hypnotic on the dismayed track."[4] Daryl Easlea of BBC Music praised that it "showed how well an accomplished production team could perform when married with a superior vocalist."[5] Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Braxton cleanly proves herself as a future diva on this slow and rhythmic urban ballad". He added, "The cool thing about Toni is that she's clearly not afraid to get vocally raw and raspy, even when the instrumentation is as smooth as it is here. That kind of edge places this already delicious jam head-and-shoulders above the ever-crowded competitive ranks."[6] Mitchell May of Chicago Tribune was very positive, writing that on the track, "the ache in her voice is all too real."[7] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report described it as "another L.A., Babyface and Daryl Simmons masterpiece by an artist with a great future".[8]

Connie Johnson of Los Angeles Times praised Braxton for "going to town on the soul-infused track."[9] Ralph Tee from Music Week's RM Dance Update stated that she "steps out with a vocal Whitney would be proud of on a stylish, medium-paced two stepper that grows on you."[10] Another editor, James Hamilton, deemed it a "superb sultry slinky jogger".[11] A reviewer from People Magazine called its intro "coiling, almost eerie", "bolstered by her full-throated alto."[12] John McAlley of Rolling Stone was extremely positive, writing that, "Another Sad Love Song – with its dynamic vocal, gargantuan hook and clever song-with-in-a-song lyric – surely ranks with 'End of the Road', 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' and 'Every Little Step' as one of LaFace's greatest triumphs." McAlley also wrote the song "reinforces Braxton's lovelorn persona, as do several other midtempo ballads that L.A., Babyface and Daryl Simmons have front-loaded into Toni Braxton."[13]

"Another Sad Love Song" became Braxton's first song to receive a Grammy Award nomination in 1994, for the category "Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female", ultimately winning the award.[14]

Chart performance

"Another Sad Love Song" became Braxton's first top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number seven, while on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the song reached higher, peaking at number 2.[14] The single sold 500,000 copies domestically, earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.[15][16] In 1993, the song charted on the UK Singles Chart, reaching a peak of number 51, on September 18. However, in 1994, the song peaked at number 15, becoming its official peak position, on April 2.[17] Elsewhere, the song performed modestly, reaching number 23 on the Dutch Top 40 chart[18] and number 44 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.[19]

Music video

Braxton in the remix video, singing the song, while rain is falling down her window.

The music video for "Another Sad Love Song" was released in three different versions. The first version was directed by Antoine Fuqua and filmed in 1992 in black-and-white and featured the original music.[20] The second version was directed by Fuqua and Ralph Ziman and filmed in May 1993 and was shown in color with exterior scenes from the first version.[21] The third version was remixed to appeal to a wider audiences and was primarily shown in Europe.[22]

On her DVD, "From Toni with Love... The Video Collection", two versions of the video are also featured: the "black and white" and the "colorful version".[23] Braxton commented that she "was really feeling the song, because I was ending a relationship," she said.[23]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[2] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States June 11, 1993
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 LaFace [2]
Sweden August 30, 1993 CD
[50]
United Kingdom September 6, 1993
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [51]
Japan September 22, 1993 Mini-CD [52]
United Kingdom (re-release) March 21, 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [53]

References

  1. 1 2 "Another Sad Love Song - Toni Braxton | Allmusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "American single certifications – Toni Braxton – Another Sad Love Song". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Single Review: Toni Braxton "Another Sad Love Song"". Bland Is Out There. September 14, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  4. ↑ Wynn, Ron. Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton at AllMusic. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  5. ↑ Easlea, Daryl (2010). "BBC - Music - Review of Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton". BBC Music. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  6. ↑ Flick, Larry (July 17, 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 106. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  7. ↑ May, Mitchell (October 7, 1993). "Toni Braxton Toni Braxton (LaFace)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  8. ↑ Sholin, Dave (July 23, 1993). "Gavin Picks: Albums" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 50. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  9. ↑ Johnson, Connie (September 5, 1993). "Record Rack / In Brief (Toni Braxton, "Toni Braxton")". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  10. ↑ Tee, Ralph (August 21, 1993). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 6. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  11. ↑ Hamilton, James (April 2, 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: Toni Braxton". People Magazine. August 23, 1993. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. 1 2 "Toni Braxton > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved October 14, 2008.
  15. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1993". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 3. BPI Communications. January 15, 1994. p. 73. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  16. ↑ "American certifications – Braxton, Toni – Another Sad Love Song". Recording Industry Association of America.
  17. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 21–1994". Top 40 (in Dutch). Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  19. 1 2 "Toni Braxton – Another Sad Love Song". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Toni Braxton - Another Sad Love Song". YouTube. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Toni Braxton - Another Sad Love Song (Int'l Version)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Toni Braxton - Another Sad Love Song (Remix)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  23. 1 2 "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.
  24. ↑ "Toni Braxton - Another Sad Love Song (UK CD)". Discogs. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Toni Braxton - Another Sad Love Song Collectors EP". Discogs. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  26. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2270." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2298." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  29. ↑ Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 51. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  30. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. May 7, 1994. p. 11. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  31. ↑ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. October 23, 1993. p. 30. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Another Sad Love Song" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (28.10.1993 – 03.11.1993)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). October 18, 1993. p. 20. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 21, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Another Sad Love Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  37. ↑ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 18, 1993. p. 26. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  38. ↑ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). August 28, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  45. ↑
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  46. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1993". Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  47. ↑ "The Year in Music 1993" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 52. December 25, 1993. p. YE-46. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  48. ↑ "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  49. ↑ "1994 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. YE-68. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  50. ↑ "Toni Braxton: Another Sad Love Song". click2music.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on February 25, 2002. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  51. ↑ "Single Releases". Music Week. September 4, 1993. p. 25.
  52. ↑ "アナザー・サッド・ラブ・ソング | トニー・ブラクストン" [Another Sad Love Song | Toni Braxton] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  53. ↑ "Single Releases". Music Week. March 19, 1994. p. 21.
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