Toni Braxton is an American singer, songwriter, and actress, known for her soulful R&B ballads and powerful voice. Her career began in the early 1990s and has spanned over three decades, earning her several Grammy Awards and worldwide recognition as a music icon. Her songs are a blend of R&B, pop, and soul, which has been appreciated by her fans around the globe.
Braxton’s music career has produced numerous hit songs, and in this list of the Top 10 Best Toni Braxton Songs of All Time, we have compiled her most popular and beloved tracks. From her first big hit “Another Sad Love Song” to her iconic ballad “Un-Break My Heart,” each song has captured the hearts of her fans with its emotional and relatable lyrics, and Braxton’s signature soulful voice. Other songs on this list include “Breathe Again,” “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” and “Let It Flow.” With her timeless music and exceptional talent, Toni Braxton has solidified her place as one of the most influential and celebrated R&B artists of all time.
1. “Take This Ring”
“Take This Ring” is a powerful ballad by Toni Braxton that showcases her signature soulful voice. The song tells the story of a woman who is heartbroken by a failed relationship and decides to return her engagement ring. Braxton’s emotive delivery captures the pain and vulnerability of the situation, as she sings about the difficulty of letting go of a love that wasn’t meant to be. The melancholic melody is backed by a stripped-down production that highlights Braxton’s vocals and allows her to convey the raw emotion of the lyrics. The chorus features a soaring vocal performance, with Braxton pleading for her lover to take the ring back and end their relationship for good. “Take This Ring” is a standout track from Braxton’s album “More Than a Woman” and showcases her ability to deliver a powerful, heartfelt ballad that resonates with listeners.
2. “Hands Tied”
“Hands Tied” is a soulful R&B track from Toni Braxton’s 2010 album, “Pulse”. The song, produced by Daryl Simmons and written by him along with Toni Braxton and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, features Braxton’s signature sultry vocals over a mid-tempo beat and smooth melody. The lyrics tell the story of a woman who is caught in a complicated and passionate love affair, with the title referencing the feeling of being helpless and unable to break free. The chorus, with its catchy hook “Got my hands tied, my hands tied, my hands tied”, is both playful and seductive, showcasing Braxton’s range and emotive delivery. The track also features some impressive guitar work and a groovy bassline that give the song an added layer of depth and energy. “Hands Tied” is a standout track from Braxton’s discography and highlights her ability to convey raw emotion through her music.
3. “Another Sad Love Song”
“Another Sad Love Song” is a 90s R&B classic that showcases Toni Braxton’s powerful vocals and emotive delivery. Released in 1993, it was the lead single from her debut self-titled album and quickly became a hit, reaching number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s lyrics describe the aftermath of a painful breakup, with Braxton singing about the loneliness and heartbreak that comes with losing someone you love. The track’s smooth production and catchy hook, along with Braxton’s signature soulful voice, make it an unforgettable and timeless ballad. It received critical acclaim and helped establish Braxton as a major player in the R&B scene. “Another Sad Love Song” remains a staple in Braxton’s discography and is still beloved by fans to this day.
4. “I Love Me Some Him”
“I Love Me Some Him” is a soulful and emotional ballad by Toni Braxton that showcases her vocal prowess and depth of emotion. Released in 1997 as the second single from her album “Secrets,” the song features Braxton singing about a love that has ended, but how she will always love the person regardless. The track features a slow and steady beat, with Braxton’s powerful voice taking center stage. She expertly navigates the lyrics, conveying both heartache and love with each note. The chorus is particularly impactful, with Braxton belting out the line, “I love me some him, I’ll never love this way again” over a backdrop of strings and piano. The song’s production is simple, allowing Braxton’s voice to take the lead, and it’s a testament to her talent as a vocalist. “I Love Me Some Him” is a standout track in Braxton’s catalog and is beloved by fans for its raw emotion and beautiful melody
5. “I Belong to You”
“I Belong to You” is a soulful ballad by American singer Toni Braxton, released as a single in 1994 from her self-titled debut album. The song was written by the legendary Babyface and features his signature smooth R&B sound. Braxton’s powerful vocals, backed by a minimalistic yet effective instrumental arrangement, express a deep sense of devotion to her lover, declaring that she belongs to him and he belongs to her. The track peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 10 in several other countries, cementing Braxton’s status as a rising star in the R&B world. The song was also nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards. “I Belong to You” remains one of Braxton’s most beloved and memorable songs, with its heartfelt lyrics and soulful delivery capturing the essence of her signature sound.
6. “Long As I Live”
“Long As I Live” is a soulful R&B ballad by Toni Braxton from her eighth studio album, “Sex & Cigarettes.” The song was released as the lead single from the album in 2018 and became a commercial success, peaking at number 1 on the Billboard Adult R&B chart. The song’s lyrics speak about a past love that still lingers in the singer’s mind despite moving on. Braxton’s vocals are emotive and powerful, conveying the pain of the past while still looking towards the future. The song’s production is minimalistic, with a simple piano melody and a light drumbeat that allows Braxton’s vocals to take center stage. The song received critical acclaim for Braxton’s vocal performance and the relatability of the lyrics, with many praising it as one of her best songs in recent years.
7. “Breathe Again”
“Breathe Again” is a classic Toni Braxton hit that was released in 1993. The song was written by Babyface and produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, and it quickly became one of Braxton’s signature songs. The emotional ballad tells the story of a woman who is trying to move on from a failed relationship but is still struggling with feelings of love and loss. Braxton’s powerful and soulful vocals perfectly capture the emotions of the song, making it a favorite among her fans. “Breathe Again” was a commercial success, reaching number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1994. With its relatable lyrics and Braxton’s powerhouse vocals, “Breathe Again” has remained a beloved classic in the R&B genre for decades.
8. “He Wasn’t Man Enough”
“He Wasn’t Man Enough” is a Grammy award-winning song from Toni Braxton’s 2000 album “The Heat.” The song is a fierce R&B track with a catchy chorus that showcases Braxton’s soulful vocals. The lyrics tell the story of a woman who has had enough of her ex-lover’s lies and cheating ways and tells him that he wasn’t man enough to handle her. The track’s memorable beat and sassy lyrics quickly made it a hit and one of Braxton’s most popular songs. The song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for three weeks. “He Wasn’t Man Enough” earned Braxton a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2001. The song’s music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, features Braxton performing a sultry dance routine and showcases her glamorous side. “He Wasn’t Man Enough” remains a classic R&B track and a testament to Braxton’s ability to deliver powerful performances with soulful vocals.
9. “Let It Flow”
“Let It Flow” is a soulful ballad by Toni Braxton, released in 1996 as the lead single for the soundtrack of the film “Waiting to Exhale”. The song was written and produced by Babyface and features his signature style of smooth R&B beats combined with Braxton’s powerful vocals. The lyrics speak to the ups and downs of love and relationships, with Braxton expressing the need to let go and allow the natural flow of life to take its course. The song became a commercial success, reaching the top 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earning Braxton a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Its emotional resonance and timeless quality have made it a favorite among fans of both Braxton and R&B music in general.
10. “Un-Break My Heart”
“Un-Break My Heart” is a heart-wrenching ballad performed by Toni Braxton that speaks to the pain of a broken heart and the desire to have things return to the way they were before. The song was released in 1996 and quickly became a massive hit, remaining on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 11 consecutive weeks. Braxton’s soulful vocals bring a sense of raw emotion to the song’s lyrics, which were written by Diane Warren. The song’s melody is based on a classical guitar piece by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo called “Concierto de Aranjuez.” The combination of Braxton’s powerful voice and the beautiful instrumentation make “Un-Break My Heart” a timeless classic. It has been covered by several other artists, but Braxton’s version remains the most popular and beloved.