Bringin' On the Heartbreak

"Bringin' On the Heartbreak" has been described as glam metal,{{cite web|last=Bennett|first=J|date=13 February 2015|title=Cue the Guitar Solos, Here Are Ten Hott Hair Metal Love Ballads for Valentine's Day|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/6e44yn/hott-hair-metal-love-ballads-for-valentines-day|access-date=25 February 2021|website=Vice}}{{cite web|last=DiVita|first=Joe|date=29 April 2020|title=12 Times Pop Artists Covered Rock + Metal Songs|url=https://loudwire.com/pop-cover-rock-metal-songs/|access-date=14 June 2021|website=Loudwire}} hard rock,{{cite magazine|date=17 September 2014|title=100 Best Singles of 1984: Pop's Greatest Year|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-singles-of-1984-pops-greatest-year-163322/def-leppard-bringin-on-the-heartbreak-174863/|access-date=10 October 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone}} and soft rock.{{cite web|last=Kielty|first=Martin|date=13 January 2019|title=The Best Song From Every Def Leppard Album|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/best-def-leppard-songs/|access-date=12 February 2021|website=Ultimate Classic Rock}} Record World said that "Joe Elliot's dramatic vocals and the estranged guitar cries plod over a sledge-hammer beat."{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=November 28, 1981|page=12|accessdate=2023-03-02|title=Single Picks|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/80s/81/RW-1981-11-28.pdf}}

High 'n' Dry was released in the US in summer 1981. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" was commercially released in the US on 13 November, with "Me and My Wine" (a non-album track) and "You Got Me Runnin'" included as B-sides. It did not appear on the US charts, but its music video was picked up by the recently launched television channel MTV and received heavy rotation.Daniel Bukszpan, Ronnie James Dio (2003) [https://books.google.com/books?id=YaDDsg0H35gC&dq=bringin+on+the+heartbreak+MTV&pg=PT47 The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal] The popularity of the video and the exposure the band received caused a resurgence in sales of High 'n' Dry, which subsequently sold over two million copies. It was released in Mexico as "Llevarlo en la Desilusión" with "Yo y mi Vino" ("Me and My Wine"), featuring the cover art from the single "Too Late for Love".

High 'n' Dry was re-issued in May 1984 with two new tracks, one of which was a synthesizer-heavy remix of "Bringin' On the Heartbreak". With a newly-filmed video featuring Phil Collen on guitar, the remix was released as a single and peaked at 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The original version of the song was later included on three of their compilation albums: Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995) (1995) Best of Def Leppard (2004) and Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection (2005). The latter compilation ends with the instrumental "Switch 625", as it does in High 'n' Dry. Steve Huey of AllMusic has characterised the song as an "unabashedly dramatic rock ballad."{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|title=High 'n' Dry - Def Leppard {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/high-n-dry-mw0000189626|access-date=15 September 2007|publisher=AllMusic}}

The first music video was directed by Doug Smith, and is a live recording of Def Leppard performing the song at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool, England on 22 July 1981. It was originally filmed (along with clips for "Let It Go" and "High 'n' Dry") as part of Don Kirshner's Rock Concert television series on the US network ABC.{{Cite web |title=Def Video 1 - High 'N' Dirty 1981 Era |url=http://www.deflepparduk.com/defvideo1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070816055430/http://www.deflepparduk.com/defvideo1.html |archive-date=16 August 2007 |access-date=15 September 2007 |publisher=Def Leppard UK.com}} The second music video, directed by David Mallet, was shot in February 1984 in Jacob's Biscuit Factory in Lake, Dublin, Ireland and features replacement guitarist Phil Collen playing Pete Willis's part.{{Cite web |title=Def Video 2 - Pyromania 1983/High 'N' Dirty 1984 Era |url=http://www.deflepparduk.com/defvideo2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070720043311/http://www.deflepparduk.com/defvideo2.html |archive-date=20 July 2007 |access-date=15 September 2007 |publisher=Def Leppard UK.com}} The original version of the second video featuring the remix is only available on the VHS and LaserDisc versions of the band's video compilation release Historia. DVD reissues of Historia, and the band's subsequent video compilations Best of the Videos and Rock of Ages - The DVD Collection replace the remix soundtrack with the original High 'n' Dry LP recording.

;7" Mercury / 818 779-7 (US)

1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (remix)
2. "Me & My Wine" (remix)

• Joe Elliott – lead vocals
• Phil Collen – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1984 remix recording)
• Steve Clark – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Pete Willis – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Rick Savage – bass, backing vocals
• Rick Allen – drums

{{Infobox song

| name = Bringin' On the Heartbreak

| cover = Mariah Carey - Bringin' On the Heartbreak (European CD single cover).jpg

| alt =

| caption = European CD single cover

| type = single

| artist = Mariah Carey

| album = Charmbracelet

| B-side = Miss You

| released = June 2, 2003

| recorded = 2002

| studio =

• Westlake Recording Studios (Hollywood, CA){{cite AV media notes|others = Mariah Carey|year = 2002|title = Charmbracelet|type = CD liner|publisher = Island / Universal Music|id = 063 540-2 | location = Australia}}
• The Record Plant (Los Angeles, CA){{cite AV media notes|others = Mariah Carey|year = 2002|title = Charmbracelet|type = CD liner|publisher = Island / Universal Music|id = 063 540-2 | location = Australia}}
• Henson Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA){{cite AV media notes|others = Mariah Carey|year = 2002|title = Charmbracelet|type = CD liner|publisher = Island / Universal Music|id = 063 540-2 | location = Australia}}
• Enterprise 2 Studios (Los Angeles, CA){{cite AV media notes|others = Mariah Carey|year = 2002|title = Charmbracelet|type = CD liner|publisher = Island / Universal Music|id = 063 540-2 | location = Australia}}
• Right Track Studios (New York, NY){{cite AV media notes|others = Mariah Carey|year = 2002|title = Charmbracelet|type = CD liner|publisher = Island / Universal Music|id = 063 540-2 | location = Australia}}

| genre =

• R&B
• hard rock{{cite web |last=Morden |first=Darryl |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/mariah-carey/news/mariah-carey-covers-def-leppard-on-new-album--12054461 |date=October 24, 2002 |title=Mariah Carey Covers Def Leppard On New Album |website=Yahoo! |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812220015/http://new.music.yahoo.com/mariah-carey/news/mariah-carey-covers-def-leppard-on-new-album--12054461 |archive-date=August 12, 2011}}

| length = 4:30

| label =

• Island
• MonarC

| writer =

• Steve Clark
• Pete Willis
• Joe Elliott

| producer =

• Mariah Carey
• Randy Jackson

| prev_title = I Know What You Want

| prev_year = 2003

| next_title = U Make Me Wanna

| next_year = 2004

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|iZsZGUBTGpE|"Bringin' On the Heartbreak"}}}}

{{Extra album cover

| header = Alternative cover art

| type = single

| cover = Mariah Carey - Bringin' On the Heartbreak US cover.jpg

| border =

| alt =

| caption = Alternative single cover, used in promotional releases in the United States. Also used for some other releases in the US and the UK omitting "RJ Janman Mix" on the front cover.

}}

}}

In 2002, the song was covered by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her album Charmbracelet (2002). The reaction from Def Leppard's Joe Elliott was positive.Patterson, Spencer. [http://cryoem.berkeley.edu/~nieder/leppard/interviews/lasvegassun.2002-12-06.txt "Leppard's spots"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041127034835/http://cryoem.berkeley.edu/~nieder/leppard/interviews/lasvegassun.2002-12-06.txt |date=27 November 2004 }}. Las Vegas Sun. 6 December 2002 (weekend edition: 8 December 2002). Retrieved 26 January 2006.

Carey co-produced her cover of the song with Randy Jackson. The single version also featured a newly recorded solo and extra guitar overdubs performed by Dave Navarro. One of Carey's few songs with a heavy rock influence, it was released as the album's third and final single on June 2, 2003, by Island Def Jam and her own label, MonarC. It was also the final single from MonarC before she shut it down in 2004.

The cover was met with positive reviews from a variety of critics.{{Cite news |last=Friedman |first=Roger |date=15 March 2004 |title=Mariah's Rich Leppard, Barbra's New Job |publisher=Fox News |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,114174,00.html#4 |url-status=dead |access-date=6 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117090132/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C114174%2C00.html#4 |archive-date=17 November 2007}} Rolling Stone described the song as "the catchiest cut [on Charmbracelet]...a fascinatingly overblown orchestral remake."Walters, Barry. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090715091334/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/_/id/265313?rnd=1138309856790&has-player=true&version=6.0.12.1040 Mariah Carey — Charmbracelet]. Rolling Stone. 19 November 2002 (date of publication: 12 December 2002). RS 911. Retrieved 26 January 2006. Phil Collen praised Carey's cover as a "genuine version of our song"{{Cite web |date=31 August 2003 |title=We don't Carey...she'll have to book |url=http://www.mariahdaily.com/aug03.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715154728/http://www.mariahdaily.com/aug03.html |archive-date=15 July 2007 |access-date=6 September 2007 |publisher=Mariah Daily}} and defended it from Def Leppard's more critical fans: "The fans really get it wrong sometimes. She's on our side and it's an honour she's done it. Really, that's the only way we're getting played."{{Cite web |date=30 September 2003 |title=Mariah's A Knock Out In Russia |url=http://www.mariahdaily.com/sept03.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824040932/http://www.mariahdaily.com/sept03.html |archive-date=24 August 2007 |access-date=6 September 2007 |publisher=Mariah Daily}} Carey's version was number 24 on VH1's "Least Metal Moments"{{Cite web |title=40 Least Metal Moments (40-21) |url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/86676/episode_featured_copy.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060222015507/http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/86676/episode_featured_copy.jhtml |archive-date=22 February 2006 |access-date=6 September 2007 |website=The Greatest |publisher=VH1}}—in a segment subtitled "Bringin' On the Headache"—because many metal fans and musicians did not like the remake. At the same time, Mark Edward Nero of About.com ranked it at number 2 on his list of "Top 5 R&B/Pop Crossover Cover Songs" and said Carey's version is "superior to the original."{{Cite web |last=Nero |first=Mark Edward |title=Best R&B Versions of Rock/Pop Songs |url=http://randb.about.com/od/toppoprockcoverversions/tp/Rock_Covers.htm |access-date=6 September 2007 |publisher=About.com |archive-date=15 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315131224/http://randb.about.com/od/toppoprockcoverversions/tp/Rock_Covers.htm |url-status=dead }}

Asked about Carey's cover version, Joe Elliott told the Las Vegas Sun, "I think she's done a very good job. It's faithful to the arrangement, but not done like a rock song." Referring to Carey's whistle register vocals at the end, Elliott commented that her "astonishing vocal gymnastics toward the end...make Minnie Riperton sound like Tom Waits." Billboard was favourable by naming it "set's crowning glory."{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_MQ0EAAAAMBAJ |title=Billboard |date=14 December 2002 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=26 February 2015}} The New York Times also reviewed this song favourably: "Another high point is her version of the Def Leppard song Bringin' On the Heartbreak. It starts out as a piano-driven slow jam; then the chorus is interrupted by a dramatic chord progression, and soon Ms. Carey's precise, fluttery voice is turning a power ballad into something more delicate."{{cite news |last=Sanneh |first=Kelefa |date=1 December 2002 |title=MUSIC; When You Fall, You Get Back Up |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/01/movies/music-when-you-fall-you-get-back-up.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm}} Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine called this cover "daring" and praised its "surprising amount of live instrumentation, which contributes to an overall sense of warmth that's been otherwise missing from Carey's recent work."{{cite web|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|date=19 November 2002|title=Review: Mariah Carey, Charmbracelet|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/mariah-carey-charmbracelet/|access-date=26 February 2015|website=Slant Magazine}} Rich Juzwiak of Stylus called Mariah's version of the song "epic." In the exception of AllMusic, who gave mixed reviews, stated that its best song on album but also noting that it "isn't even covered all that well."{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|title=Charmbracelet - Mariah Carey {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/charmbracelet-mw0000226447|access-date=26 February 2015|publisher=AllMusic}}

Similar to the commercial performance of "Boy (I Need You)", the album's second single, "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" failed to enter the US Billboard Hot 100,[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=mariah carey|chart=all}} "Mariah Carey: Artist Chart History — Singles"]. Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2006. or the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. It reached the top-thirty in Switzerland, and the top-forty in Belgium; but peaked outside the top-forty in Austria. Junior Vasquez, Mike Rizzo and Ruanne produced club remixes of the song, which received a wider release on promotional singles than commercial singles and received spins in nightclubs worldwide—the song reached the top five on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play.[http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=8317&sort=chartid "Mariah Carey — Bringin' On The Heartbreak"]. Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved 26 January 2006.

The song's video, set to the RJ Janman remix, was shot in Los Angeles on 8 March 2003 by director Sanaa Hamri, and features cameo appearances by Randy Jackson, Dave Navarro, Evan Marriott (as a helicopter pilot/bodyguard) and model Damon Willis. The single's video is based on the 1979 film The Rose, which featured a rock star (played by Bette Midler) who struggles to find happiness as she goes from her rough "rock and roll" lifestyle to her final high-profile concert.{{cite web|last1=Johnson Jr|first1=Billy|last2=Holland|first2=Margy|date=18 March 2003|title=Mariah Carey Video Features 'Joe Millionaire,' Dave Navarro|url=http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news/12029773|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309195642/https://launch.yahoo.com/read/news/12029773|archive-date=9 March 2005|access-date=26 January 2006|publisher=Yahoo! Music}}{{cite web|date=12 March 2003|title=For The Record: Quick News On Mariah Carey, Russell Simmons And George W. Bush, Da Brat, Meshuggah, Eels & More|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1470500/for-the-record-quick-news-on-mariah-carey-russell-simmons-and-george-w-bush-da-brat-meshuggah-eels-more/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227023659/http://www.mtv.com/news/1470500/for-the-record-quick-news-on-mariah-carey-russell-simmons-and-george-w-bush-da-brat-meshuggah-eels-more/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 February 2015|access-date=26 January 2006|publisher=MTV}}

On 7 December 2002, Carey performed the song along with "Through the Rain" and "My All" in front of a crowd of 50,000 people, at the closing concert of the Mexican Teletón, which took place in the country's Azteca Stadium. Announced as the concert's "star", she performed in a black dress.{{cite news |last=García Navarro |first=Juan Carlos |date=8 December 2002 |title=Logran una meta más con el Teletón 2002 |language=es |work=El-Mexicano.com |url=http://www.el-mexicano.com.mx/imprime-noticia/6479 |access-date=11 June 2014 |archive-date=12 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212193324/http://www.el-mexicano.com.mx/imprime-noticia/6479 |url-status=dead }}

• European CD single{{Citation |title=Mariah Carey - Bringin' On The Heartbreak |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3000591-Mariah-Carey-Bringin-On-The-Heartbreak |language=en |access-date=2022-06-21}}

1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Mainstream Version) – 4:13
2. "Miss You" (feat. Jadakiss) – 5:09

• European enhanced CD single{{Cite web |title=Mariah Carey – Bringin' On The Heartbreak CD Single |url=https://www.discogs.com/Mariah-Carey-Bringin-On-The-Heartbreak/release/819849 |access-date=26 January 2021 |website=Discogs}}

1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Mainstream Version) – 4:13
2. "Miss You" (feat. Jadakiss) – 5:09
3. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Live) – 4:52
4. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Video)

• Bringin' On the Heartbreak EP{{Citation |title=Bringin' on the Heartbreak - Single by Mariah Carey |date=2003-11-25 |url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/bringin-on-the-heartbreak-single/1546569152 |language=en-AU |access-date=2022-06-21}}

1. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Mainstream Version) – 4:11
2. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Mainstream AC Version) – 4:11
3. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Live) – 4:49
4. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Club Mix) – 8:35
5. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Dub) – 7:33
6. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Mix Show) – 7:44
7. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Radio Edit) – 4:27
8. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Club Mix) – 7:14
9. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Extended Mix) – 9:45
10. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Radio Edit) – 3:56
11. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Mix Show) – 6:28
12. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Ruanne Emmenes Coffee Dub) – 6:11
13. "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Ruanne Emmenes Vocal Capture Mix) – 8:47

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;Global Soul Mixes

• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Club Mix) – 8:30
• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Mix Show) – 7:38
• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Dub) – 7:30
• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Global Soul Radio Edit) – 4:53

;Junior Vasquez Mixes

• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Club Mix) – 7:11
• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Extended Mix) – 9:45
• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Junior Vasquez Radio Edit) – 3:54 {{col-2}}

;Ruanne Emmenes Mixes

• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Ruanne Emmenes Vocal Capture Mix) – 8:45
• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Ruanne's Roasted Coffee Dub) – 6:11

;Deep Influence Mixes

• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Deep Influence Anthem) – 11:29
• "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (Deep Influence Radio) – 4:23

{{col-end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Def Leppard}}

{{Mariah Carey singles}}

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Category:1981 singles

Category:1984 singles

Category:2003 singles

Category:Def Leppard songs

Category:Mariah Carey songs

Category:Music videos directed by Sanaa Hamri

Category:1980s ballads

Category:2000s ballads

Category:Song recordings produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange

Category:1981 songs

Category:Songs written by Steve Clark

Category:Songs written by Joe Elliott

Category:Songs written by Pete Willis

Category:Mercury Records singles

Category:Island Records singles

Category:Glam metal ballads

Category:Hard rock ballads

Category:Songs about heartache

Category:Music videos directed by David Mallet (director)