How to Be a Heartbreaker

"How to Be a Heartbreaker" is a song by Welsh singer Marina Diamandis, released under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds, from her second studio album, Electra Heart (2012). It was released on 7 December 2012 by 679 Artists and Atlantic Records as the album's third and final single. Diamandis worked with Ammar Malik, Benny Blanco, Cirkut, Daniel Omelio, and Dr. Luke during the songwriting process, and enlisted Blanco, Cirkut, and Dr. Luke to oversee its production.

"How to Be a Heartbreaker"
Single by Marina and the Diamonds
from the album Electra Heart
Released7 December 2012 (2012-12-07)
Recorded2012
Length3:41
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Marina and the Diamonds singles chronology
"Power & Control"
(2012)		 "How to Be a Heartbreaker"
(2012)		 "Froot"
(2014)
Music video
"How to Be a Heartbreaker" on YouTube

Background and release

Diamandis explained that "How to Be a Heartbreaker" was the only new track on the US edition of her album Electra Heart, and she wrote it "as the UK album was being printed."[1] Lyrically, she stated the song "basically involves four rules on how to be a heartbreaker. It's a guide for everyone!"[1] Despite initially confirming to Digital Spy that "How to Be a Heartbreaker" would be released in the United Kingdom on 15 October 2012,[2] Diamandis ultimately stated via her Twitter page on 22 November 2012 that the UK release of the song would be postponed until spring 2013 because of her US tour in December.[3]

Music video

On 19 September 2012, Marina announced on her Twitter page that the music video for "How to Be a Heartbreaker" would premiere online on 24 September.[4] However, problems occurred on the day of the supposed release, and Diamandis took to her Twitter to explain the situation: "So, someone at my record label won't let me release the video because I look ugly in it apparently and we need more money and time to paint out ugly parts. The video will be out end of the week. If not, I am happy to leak the 'minger' version for my fans."[5] The video premiered on 28 September 2012 on YouTube.[6] Marina also worked on the song for about 6 months prior to being released.

The video was directed by duo Marc & Ish and filmed in late August 2012.[7][8] It opens with Diamandis in a shower surrounded by Speedo-clad male models. It includes various close-up shots of Diamandis and the models throughout the video. She also appears with four different men in various settings, each showing her with a different colored hair ribbon. It includes shots of her walking alone on the beach in some parts of the video, and includes a shot of her holding a platter with a severed and bloodied mannequin head. She dons black hair and various black dresses throughout the video, and her signature heart makeup on her cheek.

Commercial performance

"How to Be a Heartbreaker" was released as the third single off Electra Heart. The song was a commercial success worldwide. In the United Kingdom the song peaked at number 88 and spent one week on the chart.[9] The song ranks as Marina's fifth best-selling track to date in the United Kingdom, with 95,000 combined sales as of February 2019.[10] "How to Be a Heartbreaker" was certified Silver in the United Kingdom in November 2021, denoting sales in excess of 200,000 units.[11] In Denmark the song peaked at number 18 and was certified Platinum.[12] The single was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in June 2021.[13]

Live performances

Diamandis first performed "How to Be a Heartbreaker" live on 29 June 2012 on The Lonely Hearts Club Tour at the HMV Institute in Birmingham.[14] She has since performed the song during most of her Lonely Hearts Club Tour performances and opening performances on Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto Tour, occasionally adding another breakdown after the second chorus. On 9 July 2012, she performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! along with "Primadonna".[15] She has performed the song acoustically on various radio stations and television appearances in Europe and Canada. She also performed the song as part of her "YouTube Presents" streaming performance along with four other songs from Electra Heart on 15 August 2012.[16] Diamandis performed "How to Be a Heartbreaker" live on the season finale of Denmark's X Factor on 22 March 2013, along with "Primadonna".[17]

Other versions

The song was covered by Dean Geyer and Lea Michele on the Glee episode "Feud".[18]

Track listings
  • UK and Irish digital download (EP)[19][20]
  1. "How to Be a Heartbreaker" – 3:41
  2. "How to Be a Heartbreaker" (Kat Krazy remix) – 3:34
  3. "How to Be a Heartbreaker" (Almighty remix) – 5:37
  4. "How to Be a Heartbreaker" (Kitty Pryde remix) – 3:00
  5. "How to Be a Heartbreaker" (Baunz remix) – 7:27
  • Canadian and US digital download (remixes)[21][22]
  1. "How to Be a Heartbreaker" (Dada Life remix) – 6:28
  2. "How to Be a Heartbreaker" (Dada Life remix radio edit) – 3:16

Charts
Chart performance for "How to Be a Heartbreaker"
Chart (2012–2013) Peak
position
CIS (TopHit)[23] 167
Denmark (Tracklisten)[24] 18
Finland Download (Latauslista)[25] 23
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[26] 29
Ireland (IRMA)[27] 21
Poland (Polish Airplay New)[28] 3
Scotland (OCC)[29] 73
UK Singles (OCC)[30] 88
US Pop Digital Songs (Billboard)[31] 42

Certifications
Certifications for "How to Be a Heartbreaker"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[11] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[13] Platinum 1,000,000‡
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[12]
Streaming 		Platinum 1,800,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release dates and formats for "How to Be a Heartbreaker"
Region Date Format Version(s) Label(s) Ref.
Ireland 7 December 2012 Digital download
  • Original
  • Kat Krazy remix
  • Almighty remix
  • Kitty Pryde remix
  • Baunz remix
[20]
United States 8 January 2013 Contemporary hit radio Original Elektra [32][33]
United Kingdom 3 February 2013 Digital download
  • Original
  • Kat Krazy remix
  • Almighty remix
  • Kitty Pryde remix
  • Baunz remix
  • 679
  • Atlantic
 [34]
Canada 12 March 2013 Remixes Elektra [21]
United States [22]

References
  1. Corner, Lewis; Parker-Williams, Amie (3 July 2012). "Marina and the Diamonds talks new UK single 'How to Be a Heartbreaker'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  2. Corner, Lewis (11 July 2012). "Marina and the Diamonds announces UK tour, confirms new single". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  3. Diamandis, Marina [@MarinasDiamonds] (22 November 2012). "Touring my butt off in 'merica in Dec so UK HTBAH single release will now be in spring for UK diamonds. Ill keep you posted w/dates!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 December 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012 – via Twitter.
  4. O'Mance, Brad (19 September 2012). "Marina's putting a new video online on Monday". Popjustice. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  5. Michaels, Sean (25 September 2012). "Marina Diamandis too 'ugly' in new video, according to her US label". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  6. "Marina and the Diamonds release new video following 'ugly' comments from label". NME. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  7. Knight, David (3 October 2012). "Marina & The Diamonds '(How To Be A) Heartbreaker' by Marc & Ish – now signed to Love". Promo News. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  8. Diamandis, Marina [@MarinasDiamonds] (29 August 2012). "BOYS..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2012 – via Twitter.
  9. "how to be a heartbreaker | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  10. "Marina announces new single: Her biggest songs revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  11. "British single certifications – Marina & the Diamonds – How to Be a Heartbreaker". British Phonographic Industry. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  12. "Danish single certifications – Marina and the Diamonds – How to Be a Heartbreaker". IFPI Danmark.
  13. "American single certifications – Marina & the Diamonds – How to Be a Heartbreaker". Recording Industry Association of America. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  14. Gilvear, Kevin (2 July 2012). "Marina and the Diamonds – HMV Institute, Birmingham". The Digital Fix. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  15. Thanh (9 July 2012). "Marina and the Diamonds Performs "Primadonna" on Jimmy Kimmel Live". Elektra Records. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  16. "Marina And The Diamonds YouTube Presents Acoustic Songs 15/08/2012". 16 August 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012 – via YouTube.
  17. Guha, Robin (23 March 2013). "This 'X Factor' Performance Proves Why 'SNL' Needs To Book Marina and the Diamonds". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  18. Rose, Josée (14 March 2013). "'Glee' Recap: Epic Musical Feuds". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  19. "How to Be a Heartbreaker – EP by Marina and The Diamonds". iTunes Store. United Kingdom. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  20. "How to Be a Heartbreaker – EP by Marina and The Diamonds". iTunes Store. Ireland. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  21. "How To Be a Heartbreaker Remixes – Single by Marina and The Diamonds". iTunes Store. Canada. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  22. "How To Be a Heartbreaker Remixes – Single by Marina and The Diamonds". iTunes Store. United States. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  23. Marina — How to Be a Heartbreaker. TopHit. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  24. "Marina and the Diamonds – How to Be a Heartbreaker". Tracklisten. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  25. "Marina & the Diamonds: How to Be a Heartbreaker" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  26. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  27. "Chart Track: Week 50, 2012". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  28. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay New. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  29. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  30. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  31. "Chart Search: Marina and the Diamonds". Billboard Chart Search. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  32. "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  33. "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. January 2013. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  34. "How To Be A Heartbreaker by Marina and the Diamonds". 7digital. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
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