How Could an Angel Break My Heart

"How Could an Angel Break My Heart"
Single by Toni Braxton with Kenny G
from the album Secrets
Released	November 4, 1997
Format	CD single
Recorded	1995
Genre	Easy listening R&B soul smooth jazz
Length	4:20
Label	LaFace
Writer(s)	Toni Braxton, Babyface
Producer(s)	Babyface
Toni Braxton singles chronology
"I Don't Want To"/"I Love Me Some Him" (1997) "How Could an Angel Break My Heart" (1997) "He Wasn't Man Enough" (2000)

"How Could an Angel Break My Heart" is the fourth and final single from Toni Braxton's second studio album, Secrets (1996). The song, co-written by Braxton and Babyface and produced by Babyface, features Kenny G on the saxophone. At the time of this single's release, Secrets had reached eight-time platinum status by the RIAA.

The fact that the single did not manage to chart on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts was a surprise for fans and observers. However, it was potentially influenced by the fact that two of the three singles released from Secrets prior to "How Could an Angel Break My Heart" were double A-sided and their flipsides had also turned into essentially huge airplay hits. This means that at the time this single was released, Braxton had already dominated the charts with five songs from the same album, therefore radio programmers put very little emphasis on the sixth.

Music video

The music video, directed by Iain Softley, followed the lyrical content of the relationship between Braxton and her lover. He has left her for a Caucasian woman and she is left to pick up the pieces.

The remix version of the song has the storyline laid out a little differently, with Babyface singing back to her and duetting with her from the second verse. Babyface's vocals replace Kenny G's saxophone parts.

Track listings and formats

UK CD 1 and European CD single

1. "How Could an Angel Break My Heart" (Album Version) – 4:20
2. "How Could an Angel Break My Heart" (Remix Version featuring Babyface) – 4:21
3. "How Could an Angel Break My Heart" (Album Instrumental) – 4:21
4. "How Could an Angel Break My Heart" (Remix Instrumental) – 4:21

This CD has an error in the tracks. Despite being listed in this way the two instrumentals have been put on in the reverse order. This can be heard clearly as Kenny G's saxophone parts are present on track four and absent in track three, whereas in the vocal versions of the song, this is quite the opposite.

UK CD 2

1. "How Could an Angel Break My Heart" – 4:20
2. "Breathe Again" – 4:29
3. "Another Sad Love Song" – 5:01
4. "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" – 4:56

Charts

Chart (1997)	Peak position
Australian Singles Chart[1]	87
Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)[2]	50
European Hot 100 Singles[1]	83
Irish Singles Chart[3]	16
UK Singles Chart[4]	22
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary[5]	12
Chart (1998)	Peak position
Dutch Top 40[6]	36

References

1. "Chart Data: Toni Braxton". mariah-charts.com. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
2. "ultratop.be – Toni Braxton with Kenny G – How Could An Angel Break My Heart". Ultratop (in Dutch). Retrieved 2008-10-18.
3. "The Irish Charts". IRMA. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
4. "Chart Stats – Toni Braxton With Kenny G – How Could An Angel Break My Heart". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
5. "Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
6. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 2–1998". Top 40 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2009-10-20.