“ | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" was actually a Def Leppard single [...] and I've always loved that song. Since I was growing up, I thought it was an amazing song and I think [that] when there's a song that you can do a cappella or you can do acoustically, it sort of transcends musical genres, so Randy Jackson, who's been my musical director for a long time, and I co-produced the record together and we decided to try and do my rendition of it [...], we tried to delicately orchestrate the record using live strings and using different percussive elements that hadn't been on the first one and [...] the record had a crescendo, so we started out in one place and ended up in a really big epic moment. I like it a lot because, when I do remakes, I usually do one per album, [and] this is a song a lot of my fans are talking about... | ” |
– Mariah Carey, Charmbracelet November/December 2002 Int'l Promo Tour B-roll package |
"Bringin' On the Heartbreak" is the third single and thirteenth track from Mariah Carey's ninth studio album, Charmbracelet. It was released to contemporary hit radio, adult contemporary radio and hot adult contemporary radio in the United States as the album's third and final single on June 2, 2003 by Island and MonaC Entertainment.[1] The song saw an extremely limited commercial release in late 2003, as it was only released in Europe and was quickly pulled from shelves, making it one of Carey's rarest CD singles.
Background[]
In 2002, Carey decided to cover the song after listening to Def Leppard's 1995 greatest hits album Vault, which contains the song, on the set of the Charmbracelet album photo shoot in Capri.[2] In an interview with Billboard, Carey said that the song is "an example of her musical diversity" and stated that "it was fun to go back to a song that she loved singing when she was in school".[3]
Critical reception[]
The cover was met with positive reviews from a variety of critics.[4] Rolling Stone described the song as "the catchiest cut [on Charmbracelet]...a fascinatingly overblown orchestral remake."[5] Phil Collen praised Carey's cover as a "genuine version of our song"[6] 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."[7] Carey's version was number 24 on VH1's "Least Metal Moments"[8]—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."[9] 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 favorable by naming it "set's crowning glory."[10] The New York Times also reviewed this song favorably: "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."[11] 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."[12] 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."[13]
Cover art[]
The song's main cover art, used on promotional material such as magazine adverts and CD singles sent to radio stations, consists of a black and white picture of Carey seductively looking at the camera while wearing a bandana, with a barely visible green tint filter edited over the image, which seems to defocus the details on her eyes. The words "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" appear in black on the lower left corner in lowercase. Carey's name doesn't appear anywhere on the artwork. This cover art was reused on 2021's Bringin' On the Heartbreak EP, albeit with a new dark green #MC30 border.
For the song's short-lived commercial release in Europe, an alternative cover art was created, using a different picture from the same photo shoot, where Carey looks at the camera in a candid-like way, this time in its original colorized form. The words "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" appear displayed similarly to the first artwork, but this time smaller, in white with a black shadow and on the lower right corner of the cover art. A thick black stripe occupies the entire left edge of the artwork, where Carey's name is displayed in baby blue, using her signature font. A small version of her butterfly logo used from 2002 to 2014, also in baby blue, appears between the words "Mariah" and "Carey".
Both pictures were shot by Richard McLaren and were taken from Carey's 2003 photo shoot for GQ magazine.
Music video[]
The song's video, set to the "RJ-Janman Mix", was shot in Los Angeles on March 8, 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 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.
Live performances[]
Carey debuted the song live on December 7, 2002 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. The song was performed for the first time in the US on December 11, 2002, where it was part of the setlist for Carey's mini concert at Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.
On January 15, 2003, Carey taped the 30-minute special, MTV Presents Mariah Carey, which aired on MTV Base in March 2003 and included a performance of "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" among other songs from Charmbracelet. The song was then performed on BBC's National Lottery Draw on March 23, 2003[14], as part of Carey's UK promotional tour.
The song was later included on the setlists for Carey's appearances at the Today Show Summer Concert Series at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, NY on May 30, 2003 and Z100's Zootopia Concert at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on June 1, 2003.
The song was a regular part of the Charmbracelet World Tour setlist, which began on June 21, 2003, being performed during the first Asian leg and on most shows during the first North American and European legs. The song was eventually cut from the show on November 12, 2003.
Remixes[]
The main remix of the song, dubbed the "RJ-Janman Mix", was used in the song's music video and features a newly recorded solo and extra guitar overdubs performed by Jane's Addiction guitarist, Dave Navarro, as well as a new fade-out ending. A slightly different edit of the "RJ-Janman Mix" with less percussion during the first verse was released commercially as the official single version of the song, being referred to as the "Mainstream Version" on both commercial and promotional CD singles. A third alternate version of the song, the "Mainstream AC Version", saw its newly-recorded electric guitars replaced by acoustic guitars, as well as the tympani present on both album and mainstream versions removed. This version was only included on promotional CD singles across the US and the UK.
Junior Vasquez, Mike Rizzo, Ruanne Emmenes and Deep Influence produced club remixes of the song, which received a wider release on promotional singles than commercial singles and received spins in nightclubs worldwide, which made "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" peak at #5 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.
Track listings and formats[]
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Bringin' On the Heartbreak EP[]
Bringin' On the Heartbreaker EP is a digital extended play that was released on January 22, 2021. This EP marks the twenty-eighth #MC30 release in which every Friday sees a reveal of rare music to celebrate Carey’s music career since her self-titled debut album released in 1990.[15]
Background[]
The release of this EP is part of the #MC30 series in which every Friday sees a release of rare music to celebrate Carey’s music career since her self-titled debut album release in 1990.
The EP comprises thirteen tracks, including the Randy Jackson produced "Mainstream" and "Mainstream AC" versions, as well as a live edit of the song previously available on the American "Through the Rain" and the enhanced "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" CD singles. The EP also saw the availability of the Global Soul, Junior Vasquez and Ruanne Emmenes dance remixes to the the public for the first time.
Surprisingly, neither the "RJ-Janman Mix" used in the music video, the "Global Soul Acapella", exclusive to promotional releases, nor the Deep Influence remixes were included in this new digital release.
Chart performance[]
The EP debuted and peaked at #25 on the Worldwide iTunes Charts on its debut date.[16]
Videos[]
Track listing[]
Bringin' On the Heartbreak EP | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
1. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Mainstream Version) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Carey, Jackson | 4:10 |
2. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Mainstream AC Version) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Carey, Jackson | 4:11 |
3. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Live) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | 4:49 | |
4. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Club Mix) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Mike Rizzo | 8:34 |
5. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Dub) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Mike Rizzo | 7:33 |
6. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Mix Show) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Mike Rizzo | 7:43 |
7. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Radio Edit) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Mike Rizzo | 4:26 |
8. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Club Mix) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Junior Vasquez | 7:13 |
9. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Extended Mix) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Junior Vasquez | 9:45 |
10. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Radio Edit) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Junior Vasquez | 3:55 |
11. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Mix Show) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Junior Vasquez | 6:27 |
12. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Ruanne Emmenes Coffee Dub) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Ruanne Emmenes | 6:10 |
13. | "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Ruanne Emmenes Vocal Capture Mix) | Clark, Willis, Elliott | Ruanne Emmenes | 8:46 |
Total length: | 01:23:42 |
Trivia[]
- The "Ruanne Emmenes Coffee Dub" was originally titled "Ruanne's Roasted Coffee Dub". This can be seen printed on a 2003 promotional CD single for the song.[17]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Gypsy, sittin lookin pretty
A broken rose and laughin' eyes
You're a mystery
Always runnin' wild
Like a child without a home
You're always searchin'
Searchin' for a feelin'
But it's easy come and easy go
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh — I'm sorry but it's true
You're bringin' on the heartache
Takin' all the best of me
Oh can't you see
You got the best of me
Whoah can't you see
[Chorus]
You're bringin' on the heartbreak
Bringin' on the heartache
You're bringin' on the heartache
Bringin' on the heartache
Can't you see
Oh
[Verse 2]
You're such a secret
Misty eyed and shady
Baby, how you hold the key
Oh, you're like a candle
Your flame slowly fadin'
Burnin' out and burnin' me
Can't you see
Just tryin' to say to you
[Pre-Chorus]
You're bringin' on the heartache
Takin' all the best of me
Oh can't you see
You got the best of me
Oh can't you see
[Chorus]
You're bringin' on the hearbreak
Bringin' on the heartache
You're bringin on the heartbreak
Bringin' on the heartache
Can't you see
Can't you see
No
No
No —
[Pre-Chorus]
You got the best of me
Oh can't you see
You got the best of me
Oh can't you see
You're bringin on the heartbreak
Bringin' on the heartache
[Chorus]
You're bringin on the heartbreak
You're bringin on the heartache
References[]
- ↑ R&R Going for Adds
- ↑ "Mariah Carey Says She Loves Def Leppard Cover"
- ↑ "Carey Eager to Start a Fresh Chapter" - Billboard
- ↑ Mariah's Rich Leppard, Barbra's New Job
- ↑ Mariah Carey — Charmbracelet
- ↑ "We don't Carey...she'll have to book"
- ↑ "Mariah's A Knock Out In Russia"
- ↑ "40 Least Metal Moments (40-21)"
- ↑ "Best R&B Versions of Rock/Pop Songs"
- ↑ Billboard
- ↑ "MUSIC; When You Fall, You Get Back Up"
- ↑ "Review: Mariah Carey, Charmbracelet"
- ↑ "Charmbracelet - Mariah Carey | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards"
- ↑ Mariah Carey - Bringin' On The Heartbreak (Live On The National Lottery 2003) - MariahFestive on YouTube
- ↑ Discogs - Bringin' On the Heartbreak - EP
- ↑ Kworb — WW iTunes Album Chart 1/22/2021
- ↑ Discogs - Bringin' On The Heartbreak (The Remixes)