Give Your Heart a Break

"Give Your Heart a Break"
Single by Demi Lovato
from the album Unbroken
B-side "Aftershock"
"Yes I Am"
Released January 23, 2012
Format Digital download
Recorded 2011
Genre Pop
Length 3:25
Label Hollywood
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Josh Alexander
  • Billy Steinberg
Demi Lovato singles chronology
"Skyscraper"
(2011)		 "Give Your Heart a Break"
(2012)		 "Heart Attack"
(2013)
Music video
"Give Your Heart a Break" on YouTube

"Give Your Heart a Break" is a song by American recording artist Demi Lovato. The song was released on January 23, 2012, as the second and final single from her third studio album Unbroken (2011). The song was written and produced by Josh Alexander and Billy Steinberg. "Give Your Heart a Break" is a dance-pop ballad that comprises the use of instruments like drums, violin and strings. The latter two, according to music critics, are reminiscent of those used in Coldplay's "Viva la Vida". Lyrically, the song chronicles the protagonist's attempt to win over her lover who has been hurt in a previous relationship and is fearful of committing again.

"Give Your Heart a Break" received critical acclaim from contemporary music critics, praising the production as well as Lovato's vocals. The single debuted at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has peaked at #16 on the chart, as well as reaching #1 on Billboard Pop Songs chart. The song has debuted at 22 in New Zealand and has so far peaked at #9, marking the first time Lovato had two top 10 singles from one album in the country.

Background

Originally, it was announced the second single from the album "Who's That Boy" (featuring Dev), but later was scrapped due to Dev's pregnancy. "Give Your Heart a Break" was written and produced by Josh Alexander and Billy Steinberg, who are known for their work on The Veronicas' sophomore studio album, Hook Me Up, as well as JoJo's "Too Little Too Late".[1][2] Alexander is credited with having a bigger hand in the song's production, handling all the instruments while programming, recording and engineering the song.[1] Chris Garcia shared engineering credits with Alexander while Scott Roewe is credited with providing logic and pro tools technology.[1] According to MTV, Lovato explained that despite the play on the word "heartbreak" in the title, the song is about the exact opposite. "Last year I began working on a song about a different kind of love," she said. "It's a song about showing someone you love that you're the one right in front of them. This is a song about faith."[3] It was recorded and selected for inclusion in Lovato's third studio album, Unbroken, which was released on September 20, 2011. Hollywood Records serviced the song to mainstream radios on January 23, 2012 in the United States.

Composition

"Give Your Heart a Break" is an uptempo dance-pop ballad song, with a length of three minutes and twenty five seconds.[4] The song incorporates teen pop and pop-rock styles, electro-pop beats, and rock music influences.[3][4][5] The song uses the instruments such as the suspenseful strings[3] that combines with a rhythmic drum.[5] It also features a violin, which, according to Cristin Maher of PopCrush, sounds similar to that used in Coldplay's "Viva la Vida".[5] Maher also notes the song as a mix between contemporary pop and old school pop from the 1980s and 1990s.[5] According to the digital music sheet published at Musicnotes.com by Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc., "Give Your Heart a Break" is written in the key of G♭ major.[4] It is set in common time and has a moderate tempo of 123 beats per minute.[4] The song follows the chord progression of C♭2–G♭–A♭m7 (add 4)–D♭. Lovato's vocals span two octaves, from E♭3 to E♭5.[4]

Reception

Critical reception

"Give Your Heart a Break" received general acclaim from music critics. Joe DeAndrea of AbsolutePunk praised "Mistake" and "Give Your Heart a Break" as ballads going "far and beyond anything in Lovato's prior arsenal. It sets a mark as to what should be expected from similar artists such as her, but in the process, distancing herself from being grouped with them becoming a solo entity."[6] Jason Scott of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer noted that the song, along with "Mistake" and "Hold Up", feature "electrically forceful instrumentation".[7] Jocelyn Vena of MTV complimented it as a smart dance song, along with "Hold Up".[3] Cristin Maher of PopCrush praised the song as "captivating", while writing "'Give Your Heart a Break'’ is a mix between contemporary pop and old-school pop from the '80s and '90s."[5] Maher also cites Billy Steinberg as an influence for the song's "harmonious hybrid sound", noting his collaborations with Cyndi Lauper, Madonna and The Bangles as the reason.[5]

In another extensive review, Laurence Green from musicOMH praised the track, calling it an "exceptionally brilliant track," while commenting that she "becomes the true pop heroine; backed up by infinitely bigger, better choruses."[8] Sam Lansky, a writer and editor from MTV's Buzzworthy Blog, lauded the recording for presenting Lovato's vocals as a masterpiece and praised the production as "superb".[2]

Chart performance

The song peaked Billboard Hot 100 at number 16, making Lovato's fourth highest peaking song.[9] Also, it has peaked at number 12 on the US Adult Top 40 chart, number 1 on the US Pop Songs chart and became the longest climb by a female artist to #1 in the Pop Songs chart history. It also reached number 16 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and at number 21 on the US Digital Songs chart. In Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders), the song peaked at number 32, her first appearance and highest position on the chart and spent nine weeks on the chart. In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 33, her third song to chart on the top 40 and has so far peaked at number 9, marking the first time Lovato had two Top 10 singles from one album in the country. In April 2014, the song was certified three-times platinum by the RIAA; as of October 2014, it has sold 2.1 million digital copies.[10]

Music video

Lyric video

The lyric video was released on December 23, 2011 on Lovato's YouTube account channel[11] and later was released by VEVO on March 20, 2012. In the video, Lovato is sitting on the swing and writing the lyrics in a journal, right next to a waterfall and firepit, presumably writing her thoughts in the form of the song. At the end of the video, Lovato closes her journal and leaves it on the swing.

Official video

The music video was filmed in late February 2012 and released on April 2, 2012. The video was directed by Justin Francis. Lovato explained about the video, saying: "The new music video, I'm basically trying to convince a guy that I didn't break his heart, and we get into a fight and I try to win him over again" and "So I do something special for him at the end of the song", she said.[3]

Synopsis

A collage of a photo of Lovato and on-screen love interest (Alex Bechet), created from other smaller images of the pair.

The video is based on Lovato trying to win her boyfriend again (portrayed by Alex Bechet) after a fight, showing him that she is the one meant to be with him. The music video starts with Lovato and her boyfriend having an argument over the phone. After hanging up, she starts singing the song and recollects memories of them together. She is then shown collecting pictures of her and her boyfriend, inter-cut with her walking down a road while singing the second verse, and pasting the photos collected by her on a wall. Each picture has a memory behind it, which is recounted by her. At the end of the video, Lovato's boyfriend looks out the window as he beholds a large collage of pictures, depicting a picture of them smiling. Lovato is shown walking back home, as she turns around and smiles, confident that her plan has worked.

Live performances

On December 31, 2011, Lovato promoted the song at the MTV New Year's Eve's concert, which she co-hosted with Tyler Posey.[12] Lovato performed the song at the People's Choice Awards on January 11, 2012, where she also received the "Best Pop Artist" award afterwards.[13] On March 6, 2012, Lovato sang the single on Today.[14] On March 15, 2012, Lovato performed the single from the top eleven results of American Idol season 11.[15] The song was included on Lovato's set list for a free concert on July 6, 2012 as part of Good Morning America‍‍ '​‍s Summer Concert Series.[16] Lovato performed the song at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show on September 6, 2012.[17] On September 25, 2012, Lovato performed the song on Katie Couric's talk show Katie.[18][19] Lovato performed the song at the VH1 Divas 2012, with the theme dance party on December 16, 2012.[20][21] Lovato performed the song with Fifth Harmony on the second season finale of The X Factor on December 19, 2012.[22]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Unbroken liner notes.[1]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2012 Teen Choice Awards[23] "Choice Summer Song" "Give Your Heart a Break" Nominated
"Choice Love Song" Nominated
Fanta Irresistible Awards "Most Irresistible Song As A Ringtone" Won
Teen Icon Awards "Iconic Song" Won
Fuse Awards "Music Video of the Year" Nominated
2013 Special Awards (Hollywood Records) "The Most Played Song in America" Won

Track listings

Digital download
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Give Your Heart a Break"  Josh Alexander, Billy SteinbergAlexander, Steinberg 3:25
International Digital EP[24]
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Give Your Heart a Break"  Alexander, SteinbergAlexander, Steinberg 3:25
2. "Give Your Heart a Break" (The Alias Club Mix)Alexander, Steinberg  5:58
3. "Aftershock"  Amy Pearson, Shelly Peiken, Leah Haywood, Daniel JamesDreamlab 3:10
4. "Yes I Am"  Dapo Torimiro, Priscilla ReneaDapo 3:01
5. "Give Your Heart a Break" (Instrumental)Alexander, Steinberg  3:25

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
scope="row"Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[25] 32
scope="row"Brazil (Hot 100 Airplay)[26] 39
scope="row"Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[27] 19
Chile (Chile Top 20)[28] 19
scope="row"France (SNEP)[29] 162
Honduras (Honduras Top 50)[30] 21
scope="row"Japan (Japan Hot 100)[31] 91
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20)[32] 11
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[33] 15
scope="row"New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[34] 9
Portugal (Billboard)[35] 20
scope="row"Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[36] 95
Turkey (Turkish Singles Chart)[37] 19
scope="row"UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[38] 194
scope="row"US Billboard Hot 100[39] 16
scope="row"US Digital Songs (Billboard)[40] 21
scope="row"US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[41] 16
scope="row"US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[42] 12
scope="row"US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[43] 16
scope="row"US Latin Pop Songs (Billboard)[44] 38
scope="row"US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[45] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
New Zealand (RMNZ)[46] Gold 7,500*
United States (RIAA)[47] 3× Platinumdagger 2,100,000[10]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

dagger Since May 2013 RIAA certifications for digital singles include on-demand audio and/or video song streams in addition to downloads.[48]

Year-end charts

Chart (2012) Position
Brazil (Billboard Hot Pop Songs)[49] 21
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[50] 67
US Billboard Hot 100[51] 39
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[52] 42
US Adult Pop Songs (Billboard)[53] 42
US Pop Songs (Billboard)[51] 18

Release history

Country Date Format
United States January 23, 2012 Hot/Modern/AC radio[54]
January 24, 2012 Top 40/Mainstream radio[55]
Europe April 4, 2012 Digital EP[56]
United Kingdom May 14, 2012 Digital download[57]
United States December 11, 2012 DJ Mike D Digital Remix[58]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Unbroken (liner notes). Demi Lovato. Hollywood Records. 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lansky, Sam (January 19, 2012). "Demi Lovato's 'Give Your Heart A Break' Is Basically The Perfect Song. Here's Why". MTV Buzzworthy Blog. Viacom International Inc. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Vena, Jocelyn (March 27, 2012). "Demi Lovato Sets 'Give Your Heart A Break' Video Release". MTV. Viacom International Inc. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Demi Lovato - Give your Heart a Break Music Sheet (Digital Download)". Musicnotes.com. Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Maher, Cristin. "Demi Lovato, ‘Unbroken’ – Album Review". PopCrush. popcrush. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
  6. ↑ DeAndrea, Joe. "Demi Lovato – Unbroken – Album Review". AbsolutePunk. AbsolutePunk, LLC. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
  7. ↑ Scott, Jason (25 September 2011). "Music Review: Demi Lovato – Unbroken". Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Hearst Communications Inc.). Retrieved 25 December 2011.
  8. ↑ Green, Laurence (February 20, 2012). "Demi Lovato - Unbroken | album reviews | musicOMH". MusicOMH. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs & New Music: 1 - 10 Songs | Billboard Music Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Ask Billboard: Baseball Hits, Gwen Stefani's Delay & & Demi Lovato's Best-Selling Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. October 12, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Demi Lovato - Give Your Heart A Break (Lyric video)". YouTube. 2011-12-23. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  12. ↑ Huff, Richard (December 13, 2011). "Demi Lovato and Tyler Posey to host MTV’s live New Year’s Eve telecast 'NYE in NYC 2012'". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  13. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (January 11, 2012). "Favorite Pop Artist Demi Lovato Performs At People's Choice Awards". MTV. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  14. ↑ Eggenberger, Nicole (March 6, 2012). "Demi Lovato Performs 'Give Your Heart a Break' on 'Today' & Talks 'Stay Strong' Documentary". OK Magazine. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  15. ↑ Gratereaux, Alexandra (March 16, 2012). "American Idol: Demi Lovato Performs Live". Fox News Latino. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  16. ↑ Bain, Becky (July 6, 2012). "Demi Lovato Performs On 'Good Morning America': Watch". Idolator. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  17. ↑ Harp, Justin (August 28, 2012). "Demi Lovato to perform on MTV Video Music Awards". Digital Spy. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Demi Lovato Scores #1 Song With "Give Your Heart A Break"". Reuters. September 4, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Demi Lovato Performs "Give Your Heart a Break" on Katie". katiecouric.com. September 25, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  20. ↑ Chance, Molly (November 20, 2012). "'VH1 Divas': Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato to honor Whitney Houston and Donna Summer". Zap2it. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  21. ↑ Golden, Zara (December 16, 2012). "VH1 DIVAS: Demi Lovato's Anthemic "Give Your Heart A Break" Gets The Crowd Jumping (VIDEO)". vh1.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  22. ↑ Fienberg, Daniel (December 19, 2012). "Recap: 'The X Factor' Season 2 Finale - Performances". HitFix. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Breaking Dawn leads the way at Teen Choice Awards nominations". Winnipeg Free Press. June 15, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  24. ↑ "iTunes - Música - Give Your Heart a Break - EP de Demi Lovato". iTunes. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
  25. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Demi Lovato – Give Your Heart a Break" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  26. ↑ "Demi Lovato Album & Song Chart History" Brasil Hot 100 Airplay for Demi Lovato.
  27. ↑ "Demi Lovato Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Demi Lovato.
  28. ↑ "Chile Top 20 - Demi Lovato". top40-charts.com. 12 June 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Demi Lovato – Give Your Heart a Break" (in French). Les classement single.
  30. ↑ "Top 50". Fuzion (in Spanish). El Tiempo. 2012-07-05. Archived from the original on 2012-07-19.
  31. ↑ "Demi Lovato Album & Song Chart History" Japan Hot 100 for Demi Lovato.
  32. ↑ "Demi Lovato". The Official Labenese Top 20. May 26, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  33. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/300744/demi+lovato/chart?f=1188
  34. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Demi Lovato – Give Your Heart a Break". Top 40 Singles.
  35. ↑ "Demi Lovato". acharts.us. May 26, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  36. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert {{{year}}}{{{week}}} into search.
  37. ↑ "Digital Singles Charts - Turkey". Number One Top 20. Archived from the original on 23 November 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  38. ↑ "24, 2013/ Archive Chart: May 24, 2013" UK Singles Chart.
  39. ↑ "Demi Lovato Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Demi Lovato.
  40. ↑ "Demi Lovato Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Digital Songs for Demi Lovato.
  41. ↑ "Demi Lovato Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Demi Lovato.
  42. ↑ "Demi Lovato Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Demi Lovato.
  43. ↑ "Demi Lovato Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay for Demi Lovato.
  44. ↑ "Demi Lovato Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Latin Pop Songs for Demi Lovato.
  45. ↑ "Demi Lovato Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for Demi Lovato.
  46. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Demi Lovato – Give Your Heart a Break". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand.
  47. ↑ "American single certifications – Demi Lovato – Give Your Heart a Break". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  48. ↑ "RIAA Adds Digital Streams To Historic Gold & Platinum Awards". Recording Industry Association of America. May 9, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Brasil Hot Pop". Billboard Brasil (Brasil: bpp) (2): 97. December 2012. ISSN 977-217605400-2
  50. ↑ "Billboard - Music Charts, Music News, Artist Photo Gallery & Free Video". Retrieved 2013-01-11.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 "2012 Year-End Hot 100 songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  52. ↑ "2012 Year-End Adult Contemporary Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  53. ↑ "2012 Year-End Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  54. ↑ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases | Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates |". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  55. ↑ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  56. ↑ "iTunes - Musik – "Give Your Heart a Break - EP" von Demi Lovato". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  57. ↑ Praxis Media. "Radio1 Rodos Greece ::: UK Forthcoming Singles ::: Charts, DJ Promos, Dance, Lyrics, Free Mp3 Samples Downloads". Radio1.gr. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  58. ↑ "Give Your Heart a Break (DJ Mike D Remix) - Single by Demi Lovato". iTunes. Apple, Inc. 2012-12-11. Retrieved 2013-07-03.

External links