Bringin' On the Heartbreak explained

Bringin' On the Heartbreak
Cover:Def Leppard Bringin' on the Heartbreak single cover.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Def Leppard
Album:High 'n' Dry
B-Side:Me and My Wine
Released:
  • 13 November 1981 (US)
  • 22 January 1982 (UK)[1]
Recorded:March–June 1981
Studio:Battery (London)
Genre:
Length:4:34
Label:Mercury
Producer:Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Prev Title:Let It Go
Prev Year:1981
Next Title:Photograph
Next Year:1983
Bringin' On the Heartbreak
Version:remix
Type:single
Artist:Def Leppard
Album:High 'n' Dry
B-Side:"Me and My Wine" (remix)
Released:June 1984[2]
Recorded:
  • March–June 1981 (original)
  • February 1984 (synth overdubs)
Studio:Battery (London)
Genre:
Length:4:34
Label:Mercury
Producer:Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Prev Title:Too Late for Love
Prev Year:1983
Next Title:Animal
Next Year:1987

"Bringin' On the Heartbreak" is a song by English rock band Def Leppard. A power ballad, it was the second single from their 1981 album High 'n' Dry. The song was written by three of the band's members, Steve Clark, Pete Willis and Joe Elliott.

Musical style

"Bringin' On the Heartbreak" has been described as glam metal,[3] [4] hard rock,[5] and soft rock.[6] Record World said that "Joe Elliot's dramatic vocals and the estranged guitar cries plod over a sledge-hammer beat."[7]

Production

High 'n' Dry was released in the US in summer 1981. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" was commercially released in the US on 13 November, with "Me and My Wine" (a non-album track) and "You Got Me Runnin'" included as B-sides. It did not appear on the US charts, but its music video was picked up by the recently launched television channel MTV and received heavy rotation.[8] The popularity of the video and the exposure the band received caused a resurgence in sales of High 'n' Dry, which subsequently sold over two million copies. It was released in Mexico as "Llevarlo en la Desilusión" with "Yo y mi Vino" ("Me and My Wine"), featuring the cover art from the single "Too Late for Love".

High 'n' Dry was re-issued in May 1984 with two new tracks, one of which was a synthesizer-heavy remix of "Bringin' On the Heartbreak". With a newly-filmed video featuring Phil Collen on guitar, the remix was released as a single and peaked at 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The original version of the song was later included on three of their compilation albums: (1995) Best of Def Leppard (2004) and (2005). The latter compilation ends with the instrumental "Switch 625", as it does in High 'n' Dry. Steve Huey of AllMusic has characterised the song as an "unabashedly dramatic rock ballad."[9]

Music video

The first music video was directed by Doug Smith, and is a live recording of Def Leppard performing the song at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool, England on 22 July 1981. It was originally filmed (along with clips for "Let It Go" and "High 'n' Dry") as part of Don Kirshner's Rock Concert television series on the US network ABC.[10] The second music video, directed by David Mallet, was shot in February 1984 in Jacob's Biscuit Factory in Lake, Dublin, Ireland and features replacement guitarist Phil Collen playing Pete Willis's part.[11] The original version of the second video featuring the remix is only available on the VHS and LaserDisc versions of the band's video compilation release Historia. DVD reissues of Historia, and the band's subsequent video compilations Best of the Videos and Rock of Ages - The DVD Collection replace the remix soundtrack with the original High 'n' Dry LP recording.

Track listing

7" Mercury / 818 779-7 (US)
  1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (remix)
  2. "Me & My Wine" (remix)

Personnel

Charts

Mariah Carey version

Bringin' On the Heartbreak
Cover:Mariah Carey - Bringin' On the Heartbreak (European CD single cover).jpg
Caption:European CD single cover
Type:single
Artist:Mariah Carey
Album:Charmbracelet
B-Side:Miss You
Released:June 2, 2003
Recorded:2002
Genre:
Length:4:30
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:I Know What You Want
Prev Year:2003
Next Title:U Make Me Wanna
Next Year:2004

Background and composition

In 2002, the song was covered by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey for her album Charmbracelet (2002). The reaction from Def Leppard's Joe Elliott was positive.[13]

Carey co-produced her cover of the song with Randy Jackson. The single version also featured a newly recorded solo and extra guitar overdubs performed by Dave Navarro. One of Carey's few songs with a heavy rock influence, it was released as the album's third and final single on June 2, 2003, by Island Def Jam and her own label, MonarC. It was also the final single from MonarC before she shut it down in 2004.

Critical reception

The cover was met with positive reviews from a variety of critics.[14] Rolling Stone described the song as "the catchiest cut [on ''Charmbracelet'']...a fascinatingly overblown orchestral remake."[15] Phil Collen praised Carey's cover as a "genuine version of our song"[16] and defended it from Def Leppard's more critical fans: "The fans really get it wrong sometimes. She's on our side and it's an honour she's done it. Really, that's the only way we're getting played."[17] Carey's version was number 24 on VH1's "Least Metal Moments"[18] —in a segment subtitled "Bringin' On the Headache"—because many metal fans and musicians did not like the remake. At the same time, Mark Edward Nero of About.com ranked it at number 2 on his list of "Top 5 R&B/Pop Crossover Cover Songs" and said Carey's version is "superior to the original."[19] Asked about Carey's cover version, Joe Elliott told the Las Vegas Sun, "I think she's done a very good job. It's faithful to the arrangement, but not done like a rock song." Referring to Carey's whistle register vocals at the end, Elliott commented that her "astonishing vocal gymnastics toward the end...make Minnie Riperton sound like Tom Waits." Billboard was favourable by naming it "set's crowning glory."[20] The New York Times also reviewed this song favourably: "Another high point is her version of the Def Leppard song Bringin' On the Heartbreak. It starts out as a piano-driven slow jam; then the chorus is interrupted by a dramatic chord progression, and soon Ms. Carey's precise, fluttery voice is turning a power ballad into something more delicate."[21] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine called this cover "daring" and praised its "surprising amount of live instrumentation, which contributes to an overall sense of warmth that's been otherwise missing from Carey's recent work."[22] Rich Juzwiak of Stylus called Mariah's version of the song "epic." In the exception of AllMusic, who gave mixed reviews, stated that its best song on album but also noting that it "isn't even covered all that well."[23]

Chart performance

Similar to the commercial performance of "Boy (I Need You)", the album's second single, "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" failed to enter the US Billboard Hot 100,[24] or the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. It reached the top-thirty in Switzerland, and the top-forty in Belgium; but peaked outside the top-forty in Austria. Junior Vasquez, Mike Rizzo and Ruanne produced club remixes of the song, which received a wider release on promotional singles than commercial singles and received spins in nightclubs worldwide—the song reached the top five on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play.[24] [25]

Promotion

The song's video, set to the RJ Janman remix, was shot in Los Angeles on 8 March 2003 by director Sanaa Hamri, and features cameo appearances by Randy Jackson, Dave Navarro, Evan Marriott (as a helicopter pilot/bodyguard) and model Damon Willis. The single's video is based on the 1979 film The Rose, which featured a rock star (played by Bette Midler) who struggles to find happiness as she goes from her rough "rock and roll" lifestyle to her final high-profile concert.[26] [27]

On 7 December 2002, Carey performed the song along with "Through the Rain" and "My All" in front of a crowd of 50,000 people, at the closing concert of the Mexican Teletón, which took place in the country's Azteca Stadium. Announced as the concert's "star", she performed in a black dress.[28]

Track listing and formats

  1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Mainstream Version) – 4:13
  2. "Miss You" (feat. Jadakiss) – 5:09
  1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Mainstream Version) – 4:13
  2. "Miss You" (feat. Jadakiss) – 5:09
  3. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Live) – 4:52
  4. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Video)
  1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Mainstream Version) – 4:11
  2. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Mainstream AC Version) – 4:11
  3. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Live) – 4:49
  4. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Club Mix) – 8:35
  5. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Dub) – 7:33
  6. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Mix Show) – 7:44
  7. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Radio Edit) – 4:27
  8. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Club Mix) – 7:14
  9. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Extended Mix) – 9:45
  10. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Radio Edit) – 3:56
  11. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Mix Show) – 6:28
  12. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Ruanne Emmenes Coffee Dub) – 6:11
  13. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Ruanne Emmenes Vocal Capture Mix) – 8:47

Remixes

Global Soul Mixes
Junior Vasquez Mixes
Ruanne Emmenes Mixes
Deep Influence Mixes

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel(s)
United StatesJune 2, 2003Contemporary hit radio[31]
Adult contemporary radio
Hot adult contemporary radio
ItalyDigital downloadDef Jam
BelgiumCD
PolandUniversal Music Polska[32]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Great Rock discography. 212. 22 September 1995 . 9780862415419 . Strong . Martin Charles . Canongate Press .
  2. Book: Great Rock discography. 212. 22 September 1995 . 9780862415419 . Strong . Martin Charles . Canongate Press .
  3. Web site: Bennett. J. 13 February 2015. Cue the Guitar Solos, Here Are Ten Hott Hair Metal Love Ballads for Valentine's Day. 25 February 2021. Vice.
  4. Web site: DiVita. Joe. 29 April 2020. 12 Times Pop Artists Covered Rock + Metal Songs. 14 June 2021. Loudwire.
  5. 17 September 2014. 100 Best Singles of 1984: Pop's Greatest Year. 10 October 2021. Rolling Stone.
  6. Web site: Kielty. Martin. 13 January 2019. The Best Song From Every Def Leppard Album. 12 February 2021. Ultimate Classic Rock.
  7. Record World. November 28, 1981. 12. 2023-03-02. Single Picks.
  8. Daniel Bukszpan, Ronnie James Dio (2003) The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal
  9. Web site: Huey. Steve. High 'n' Dry - Def Leppard Songs, Reviews, Credits. 15 September 2007. AllMusic.
  10. Web site: Def Video 1 - High 'N' Dirty 1981 Era . dead . https://archive.today/20070816055430/http://www.deflepparduk.com/defvideo1.html . 16 August 2007 . 15 September 2007 . Def Leppard UK.com.
  11. Web site: Def Video 2 - Pyromania 1983/High 'N' Dirty 1984 Era . dead . https://archive.today/20070720043311/http://www.deflepparduk.com/defvideo2.html . 20 July 2007 . 15 September 2007 . Def Leppard UK.com.
  12. Web site: Morden . Darryl . Mariah Carey Covers Def Leppard On New Album . October 24, 2002 . . November 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110812220015/http://new.music.yahoo.com/mariah-carey/news/mariah-carey-covers-def-leppard-on-new-album--12054461 . August 12, 2011.
  13. Patterson, Spencer. "Leppard's spots" . Las Vegas Sun. 6 December 2002 (weekend edition: 8 December 2002). Retrieved 26 January 2006.
  14. News: Friedman . Roger . 15 March 2004 . Mariah's Rich Leppard, Barbra's New Job . . dead . 6 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071117090132/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C114174%2C00.html#4 . 17 November 2007.
  15. Walters, Barry. Mariah Carey — Charmbracelet. Rolling Stone. 19 November 2002 (date of publication: 12 December 2002). RS 911. Retrieved 26 January 2006.
  16. Web site: 31 August 2003 . We don't Carey...she'll have to book . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070715154728/http://www.mariahdaily.com/aug03.html . 15 July 2007 . 6 September 2007 . Mariah Daily.
  17. Web site: 30 September 2003 . Mariah's A Knock Out In Russia . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070824040932/http://www.mariahdaily.com/sept03.html . 24 August 2007 . 6 September 2007 . Mariah Daily.
  18. Web site: 40 Least Metal Moments (40-21) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060222015507/http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/86676/episode_featured_copy.jhtml . 22 February 2006 . 6 September 2007 . The Greatest . VH1.
  19. Web site: Nero . Mark Edward . Best R&B Versions of Rock/Pop Songs . 6 September 2007 . . 15 March 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070315131224/http://randb.about.com/od/toppoprockcoverversions/tp/Rock_Covers.htm . dead .
  20. Book: Billboard . 14 December 2002 . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . 0006-2510 . 26 February 2015.
  21. News: Sanneh . Kelefa . 1 December 2002 . MUSIC; When You Fall, You Get Back Up . The New York Times .
  22. Web site: Cinquemani. Sal. 19 November 2002. Review: Mariah Carey, Charmbracelet. 26 February 2015. Slant Magazine.
  23. Web site: Erlewine. Stephen Thomas. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Charmbracelet - Mariah Carey Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. 26 February 2015. AllMusic.
  24. "Mariah Carey: Artist Chart History — Singles"
  25. http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=8317&sort=chartid "Mariah Carey — Bringin' On The Heartbreak"
  26. Web site: Johnson Jr. Billy. Holland. Margy. 18 March 2003. Mariah Carey Video Features 'Joe Millionaire,' Dave Navarro. https://web.archive.org/web/20050309195642/https://launch.yahoo.com/read/news/12029773. 9 March 2005. 26 January 2006. Yahoo! Music.
  27. Web site: 12 March 2003. For The Record: Quick News On Mariah Carey, Russell Simmons And George W. Bush, Da Brat, Meshuggah, Eels & More. https://web.archive.org/web/20150227023659/http://www.mtv.com/news/1470500/for-the-record-quick-news-on-mariah-carey-russell-simmons-and-george-w-bush-da-brat-meshuggah-eels-more/. dead. 27 February 2015. 26 January 2006. MTV.
  28. News: García Navarro . Juan Carlos . 8 December 2002 . Logran una meta más con el Teletón 2002 . es . El-Mexicano.com . 11 June 2014 . 12 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171212193324/http://www.el-mexicano.com.mx/imprime-noticia/6479 . dead .
  29. Web site: Mariah Carey – Bringin' On The Heartbreak CD Single . 26 January 2021 . Discogs.
  30. July 18, 2003. AC Top 30. Radio & Records. 74.
  31. R&R Going for Adds. Radio & Records. October 10, 2021.
  32. Web site: "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" – Single. Polish. Universal Music Polska. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20051031054100/http://www.universalmusic.pl/?atype=item&id=4291&view=1. October 31, 2005.