Bringin' On the Heartbreak

"Bringin' On the Heartbreak" is a song by English rock band Def Leppard. A power ballad,[3] 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.

"Bringin' On the Heartbreak"
Single by Def Leppard
from the album High 'n' Dry
B-side"Me and My Wine"
Released13 November 1981 (US)
22 January 1982 (UK)[1]
RecordedMarch–June 1981
StudioBattery Studios, London
Genre
Length4:34
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Def Leppard singles chronology
"Let It Go"
(1981)		 "Bringin' On the Heartbreak"
(1981)		 "Photograph"
(1983)
"Bringin' On the Heartbreak (Remix)"
Single by Def Leppard
from the album High 'n' Dry
B-side
  • "Me and My Wine" (remix)
ReleasedJune 1984[2]
Recorded
  • March–June 1981 (original)
  • February 1984 (synth overdubs)
StudioBattery Studios, London
Genre
Length4:34
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Def Leppard singles chronology
"Too Late For Love"
(1983)		 "Bringin' On the Heartbreak (Remix)"
(1984)		 "Animal"
(1987)

Musical style

"Bringin' On the Heartbreak" has been described as glam metal,[4][5] hard rock,[3] 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 U.S. in summer 1981. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" was commercially released in the U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The original version of the song was later included on three of their compilation albums: Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995) (1995) Best of Def Leppard (2004) and Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection (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 U.S. 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 (U.S.)
  1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (remix)
  2. "Me & My Wine" (remix)

Personnel

Charts
Chart (1984–85) Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[12] 61

Mariah Carey version
"Bringin' On the Heartbreak"
European CD single cover
Single by Mariah Carey
from the album Charmbracelet
B-side"Miss You"
ReleasedJune 2, 2003
Recorded2002
Genre
Length4:30
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Steve Clark
  • Pete Willis
  • Joe Elliott
Producer(s)
Mariah Carey singles chronology
"I Know What You Want"
(2003)		 "Bringin' On the Heartbreak"
(2003)		 "U Make Me Wanna"
(2004)
Music video
"Bringin' On the Heartbreak" on YouTube
Alternative cover art
Alternative single cover, used in promotional releases in the United States. Also used for some other releases in the US and the UK omitting "RJ Janman Mix" on the front cover.

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.[15]

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.[16] Rolling Stone described the song as "the catchiest cut [on Charmbracelet]...a fascinatingly overblown orchestral remake."[17] Phil Collen praised Carey's cover as a "genuine version of our song"[18] 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."[19] Carey's version was number 24 on VH1's "Least Metal Moments"[20]—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."[13] 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."[21] 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."[22] 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."[23] 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."[24]

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,[25] 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.[25][26]

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.[27][28]

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.[29]

Track listing and formats
  • European CD single[30]
  1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak (Mainstream Version)" – 4:13
  2. "Miss You" (feat. Jadakiss) – 5:09
  • European enhanced CD single[31]
  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)
  • Bringin' On the Heartbreak EP[32]
  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

Charts
Weekly chart performance
Chart (2003) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[33] 55
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[34] 11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[35] 40
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 28
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[37]
Remixes		 5
US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records)[38] 25

Release history
List of release dates and formats for "Bringin' On the Heartbreak"
Region Date Format Label(s) Ref.
United States June 2, 2003 Contemporary hit radio
[39]
Adult contemporary radio
Hot adult contemporary radio
Italy October 6, 2003 (2003-10-06) Digital download Def Jam
[40]
Belgium October 10, 2003 (2003-10-10) CD
[41]
Poland October 27, 2003 (2003-10-27) Universal Music Polska [42]

References
  1. Strong, Martin Charles (22 September 1995). Great Rock discography. Canongate Press. p. 212. ISBN 9780862415419.
  2. Strong, Martin Charles (22 September 1995). Great Rock discography. Canongate Press. p. 212. ISBN 9780862415419.
  3. "100 Best Singles of 1984: Pop's Greatest Year". Rolling Stone. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  4. Bennett, J (13 February 2015). "Cue the Guitar Solos, Here Are Ten Hott Hair Metal Love Ballads for Valentine's Day". Vice. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  5. DiVita, Joe (29 April 2020). "12 Times Pop Artists Covered Rock + Metal Songs". Loudwire. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  6. Kielty, Martin (13 January 2019). "The Best Song From Every Def Leppard Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  7. "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. 28 November 1981. p. 12. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  8. Daniel Bukszpan, Ronnie James Dio (2003) The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal
  9. Huey, Steve. "High 'n' Dry - Def Leppard | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2007.
  10. "Def Video 1 - High 'N' Dirty 1981 Era". Def Leppard UK.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2007.
  11. "Def Video 2 - Pyromania 1983/High 'N' Dirty 1984 Era". Def Leppard UK.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2007.
  12. "Def Leppard Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  13. Nero, Mark Edward. "Best R&B Versions of Rock/Pop Songs". About.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2007. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
  14. Morden, Darryl (24 October 2002). "Mariah Carey Covers Def Leppard On New Album". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  15. Patterson, Spencer. "Leppard's spots" Archived 27 November 2004 at the Wayback Machine. Las Vegas Sun. 6 December 2002 (weekend edition: 8 December 2002). Retrieved 26 January 2006.
  16. Friedman, Roger (15 March 2004). "Mariah's Rich Leppard, Barbra's New Job". Fox News. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
  17. Walters, Barry. Mariah Carey — Charmbracelet. Rolling Stone. 19 November 2002 (date of publication: 12 December 2002). RS 911. Retrieved 26 January 2006.
  18. "We don't Carey...she'll have to book". Mariah Daily. 31 August 2003. Archived from the original on 15 July 2007. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
  19. "Mariah's A Knock Out In Russia". Mariah Daily. 30 September 2003. Archived from the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
  20. "40 Least Metal Moments (40-21)". The Greatest. VH1. Archived from the original on 22 February 2006. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
  21. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 14 December 2002. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  22. Sanneh, Kelefa (1 December 2002). "MUSIC; When You Fall, You Get Back Up". The New York Times.
  23. Cinquemani, Sal (19 November 2002). "Review: Mariah Carey, Charmbracelet". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  24. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Charmbracelet - Mariah Carey | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  25. "Mariah Carey: Artist Chart History — Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2006.
  26. "Mariah Carey — Bringin' On The Heartbreak". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved 26 January 2006.
  27. Johnson Jr, Billy; Holland, Margy (18 March 2003). "Mariah Carey Video Features 'Joe Millionaire,' Dave Navarro". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on 9 March 2005. Retrieved 26 January 2006.
  28. "For The Record: Quick News On Mariah Carey, Russell Simmons And George W. Bush, Da Brat, Meshuggah, Eels & More". MTV. 12 March 2003. Retrieved 26 January 2006.
  29. García Navarro, Juan Carlos (8 December 2002). "Logran una meta más con el Teletón 2002". El-Mexicano.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  30. Mariah Carey - Bringin' On The Heartbreak, retrieved 21 June 2022
  31. "Mariah Carey – Bringin' On The Heartbreak CD Single". Discogs. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  32. Bringin' on the Heartbreak - Single by Mariah Carey, 25 November 2003, retrieved 21 June 2022
  33. "Mariah Carey – Bringin' On The Heartbreak" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  34. "Mariah Carey – Bringin' On The Heartbreak" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  35. "Mariah Carey – Bringin' On The Heartbreak" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  36. "Mariah Carey – Bringin' On The Heartbreak". Swiss Singles Chart.
  37. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  38. "AC Top 30". Radio & Records. 18 July 2003. p. 74.
  39. "R&R Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  40. "Bringin' On The Heartbreak Int'l 4 trk" (in Italian). Universal Music Italia. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  41. "Nieuwe Releases Singles Week 41, 10 Oktober 2003" [New Releases Singles Week 41, 10 October 2003] (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 13 February 2004.
  42. ""Bringin' On the Heartbreak" – Single" (in Polish). Universal Music Polska. Archived from the original on 31 October 2005.

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