It may be a staple of break-up playlists and televised singing competitions everywhere, but time has been less than kind to Toni Braxton's classic weepie "Un-Break My Heart." Sure, Braxton's assured vocal performance—graciously favoring emotional connection over technical grandstanding, unlike so many divas of the day—has aged like a fine wine. Lilting over a quiet Spanish guitar (an inspired compositional touch), it builds to a climax that feels genuinely earned and affecting. But that whole soft verse-big chorus-epic key change formula that made writer Diane Warren the queen of '90s balladry? I'm pretty sure it went the way of the Titanic circa "My Heart Will Go On." B
15 years ago this week, "Un-Break My Heart" was the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100.
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