Breathe Again

Background and composition

After the success of "Another Sad Love Song", "Breathe Again" was released as the second single from Toni Braxton's self-titled album on October 6, 1993. The song was written and produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, with co-production by Daryl Simmons and L.A. Reid. Lyrically, Braxton sings of crumbling and having a nervous breakdown if her boyfriend were to end their relationship, with lines like "If I never feel you in my arms again / If I never feel your tender kiss again / If I never hear I love you now and then / Will I never make love to you once again / Please understand / If love ends / Then I promise you, I promise you, that / That I shall never breathe again."

Critical reception

Ron Wynn of AllMusic named the song a highlight from the album, writing that Braxton's voice sounds hypnotic on the track. Daryl Easlea of BBC Music called it a delicate ballad that fully established Braxton, brought to life by her dreamy, breathy delivery. Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a yearning, R&B-framed ballad, praising Braxton's expressive and moving vocal that lets rough-edged notes mingle with sweet diva-like tones. Alan Jones from Music Week complimented it as pretty and radio friendly.

Maria Jimenez from Music & Media wrote that Braxton's voice is not easily forgotten. A reviewer from People magazine called the song haunting, saying the quaver in her voice says more about love's promise and deceit than many singers manage in a career. John McAlley from Rolling Stone named it the album's best material, concluding that Braxton's love hangover has reached ludicrously epic proportions. Charles Aaron from Spin felt the ballad invokes heartache more than heartbreak, with Braxton's fitful vocal flourishes dazzling.

Steve Pick from St. Louis Post-Dispatch described it as both smooth and edgy, benefiting from Braxton's ability to hint at over-the-top histrionics she never quite falls into. James Hunter from Vibe said Babyface's writing gives Braxton melodic peaks and valleys to explore with her gorgeously detailed, unconceited voice. Mike Joyce from The Washington Post felt the song has a poignancy.

Chart performance

"Breathe Again" was Braxton's first worldwide hit. In the US, it reached number three for three non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 17 weeks in the top ten. On the Cash Box Top 100, it peaked at number two. It also reached number two on the Mainstream Top 40 and number four on both the Adult Contemporary and Hot R&B Singles charts.

The song sold 500,000 copies domestically, earning a gold certification from the RIAA. In the UK, it debuted and peaked at number two on January 15, 1994, becoming her best charting single there along with "Un-Break My Heart." In Australia, it debuted at number 47 on March 20, 1994, reached number two on May 1, 1994, and spent 17 weeks on the chart, ranking at number 20 on the year-end chart for 1994. In New Zealand, it debuted at number 20 on December 12, 1993, climbed to number two in its eighth week, spent four non-consecutive weeks at that position, and logged 21 weeks on the chart, becoming Braxton's best-performing single there.

Music video

The black-and-white music video for "Breathe Again" was shot at Longleat House in Wiltshire, England, under Randee St. Nicholas's direction. It shows Toni Braxton racing through a hedge maze while American model Tyson Beckford, portraying her love interest, searches for her. At the 1994 Billboard Music Video Awards, the clip won Best Clip of the Year in the R&B/Urban category.

Braxton's DVD, From Toni with Love... The Video Collection, includes two additional versions: the European version and the Spanish version. Braxton recalled that the video was originally filmed in color, but director Randee St. Nicholas disliked how the maze looked, saying it resembled piles of dirt or chunks of rock, so she switched it to black and white. Braxton also noted that her stylist struggled to find a 17th-century dress, and that it was very cold during filming while the dress was heavy.