I Don't Want To

"I Don't Want To" was written and produced by R. Kelly, who was also responsible for all instruments, background vocals and mixing. Braxton provided both lead and background vocals. It was recorded at Middle Ear Studio, Miami Beach, Florida.{{cite AV media notes |title=Secrets |type=CD liner notes |others=Toni Braxton |publisher=La Face Records |year=1996}} According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Universal Music Publishing Group, "I Don't Want To" is written in the key of B major with a moderate tempo of 109 beats per minute. Braxton's vocal range spans from the low note of F3 to the high note of G4. It follows in the chord progression of B–B9-G#7sus4-G#7–C#m-C#m(maj7)-C#m7-F#7.{{cite web|title=Toni Braxton "I Don't Want To It" Sheet Music|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0062523|website=MusicNotes.com| date=3 March 2008 |publisher=Universal Music Publishing Group|access-date=November 9, 2016}} The midtempo R&B ballad talks about the agony of heartbreak.{{cite magazine|last1=Flick|first1=Larry|title=Reviews & Previews: Singles|magazine=Billboard|date=March 1, 1997|volume=109|issue=9|page=60|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9g4EAAAAMBAJ&q=toni+braxton+i+don%27t+want+to+review&pg=RA1-PA60|access-date=October 10, 2016|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|issn=0006-2510|author-link=Larry Flick}} It also touches upon themes of loss and abstinence.{{cite magazine |last=Fricke |first=David |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tonibraxton/albums/album/235493/review/5942450/secrets |title=Toni Braxton: Secrets |magazine=Rolling Stone |issue=750–751 |page=190 |date=December 26, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015131715/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tonibraxton/albums/album/235493/review/5942450/secrets |archive-date=October 15, 2008 |issn=0035-791X |url-status=dead |access-date=February 18, 2012}}

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic praised R. Kelly's composition, noting that he "demonstrate[s] why [he is] considered [one] of the top songwriters in '90s R&B and soul."{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/secrets-mw0000176469 |title=Secrets – Toni Braxton |publisher=AllMusic. All Media Network |access-date=September 21, 2015}} Larry Flick of Billboard praised its groove, which according to him, "is masterfully woven by R. Kelly," adding: "He smartly keeps the musical melodrama to a minimum, opting instead for a smooth and subtle jeep-soul setting that leaves plenty of room for La B to flex her rich vocal range. A reviewer from Music Week rated the song three out of five, complimenting it as "another surefire hit ballad" from the Secrets album.{{cite magazine|first=|last=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-04-12.pdf|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=April 12, 1997|page=27|accessdate=May 16, 2022}} The magazine's Alan Jones described it as "another stately ballad performed with grace and style. Braxton is A Real Singer, but prefers to take the most direct route between two notes, unlike many of her ability. Another monster hit."{{cite magazine|first=Alan|last=Jones|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-05-10.pdf|title=Talking Music|magazine=Music Week|date=May 10, 1997|page=40|accessdate=May 17, 2022}} David Fricke of Rolling Stone also praised Kelly, noting that "the unruffled tenor of the music, however, puts the focus squarely on Braxton, and she's up to it." He described the song as "a quiet groan of loss and abstinence." Ian Hyland from Sunday Mirror gave it eight out of ten, commenting, "Another aching soul-searcher from the most beautiful woman in America. It should be almost as successful as "Un-Break My Heart" but it's a bit too slow for a dance remix. Not that anyone cares about the song anyway - we just want to see her in that video."Hyland, Ian (May 11, 1997). "He's Got Us All at His Beck and Call". Sunday Mirror. David Sinclair from The Times declared it as a "plush power ballad" from the soul diva, and "a guaranteed smash."Sinclair, David (May 17, 1997). "The week's top pop releases; Records". The Times. Richard Harrington from The Washington Post wrote, "With a slow, deliberate pulse and anguished mood reminiscent of "Breathe Again", it stirs the ashes of emotional burnout for someone who is taking separation as hard as it can be taken."Harrington, Richard (June 23, 1996). "After the Debuts, Precious Seconds". The Washington Post. p. G07.

"I Don't Want To" was released as the album's third single on March 11, 1997. In the United States, the song was released as a double A-side with "I Love Me Some Him".{{cite web|title=I Don't Want To - Toni Braxton | AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/i-dont-want-to-mw0000098162|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=October 10, 2016}} On March 31, 1997, the song was released in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|title=I Don't Want To: Amazon.co.uk|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Dont-Want-CD-2/dp/B000006T3Q/ref=ntt_mus_dp_dpt_16|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=November 10, 2016}} Commercially, "I Don't Want To" proved to be moderately successful in the United States, reaching number nineteen on the US Billboard Hot 100, while peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r235586|pure_url=yes}} |title=Secrets > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles |work=AllMusic |publisher=Rovi Corporation |access-date=October 11, 2008}} The song also became her third consecutive chart-topper on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in July 1997, following "You're Makin' Me High" and "Un-Break My Heart".{{cite magazine|title=Billboard Hot Dance Music|magazine=Billboard|date=July 19, 1997|volume=109|issue=29|page=30|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qA4EAAAAMBAJ&q=toni+braxton+i+don%27t+want+to+number+one+dance+club&pg=PA30|access-date=November 10, 2016|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|issn=0006-2510}} In the United Kingdom, "I Don't Want To" became Braxton's third consecutive top-ten single from Secrets, peaking at number nine. In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 31, and two weeks later climbed to number 21, becoming its peak position. In Sweden, the song debuted at number 57, climbing to number 29 in the second week. Two weeks later, the song peaked at number 15, falling on the two following weeks until it climbed to its peak position once again. It later remained for further six weeks on the charts.

The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Bille Woodruff and shot on March 4, 1997. The video was filmed during a hectic time in Braxton's career, and after the commercial success from the preceding singles and co-headlining a tour with Kenny G, Braxton was exhausted and it was shot in one day. The video was considered simple, featuring Braxton wandering around in a white room wearing a white tanktop, blue jeans and a built up shoe. The original treatment for the video was a one-take version. Woodruff told MTV News that he shot multiple takes and at the end of the day, the best version would be picked. The video had Braxton walking around a house, trying on various wigs and scrubbing her feet in a bathtub. However, Braxton made a "creative decision to scrap the first shoot in favor of a simpler, non-bathroom video,"{{cite news|last1=MTV News Staff|title=Toni Braxton Leaves The Bathroom For New Video -|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1426567/toni-braxton-leaves-the-bathroom-for-new-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022145320/http://www.mtv.com/news/1426567/toni-braxton-leaves-the-bathroom-for-new-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2016|access-date=November 10, 2016|publisher=MTV News|date=April 23, 1997}} after MTV News staff mentioned while interviewing Braxton that Jewel, Tony Rich, and No Doubt had recently used bathrooms as music video backdrops{{cite news |publisher=MTV News |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1426569/toni-braxton-talks-about-new-single-video/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025075055/http://www.mtv.com/news/1426569/toni-braxton-talks-about-new-single-video/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |date=March 7, 1997 |title=Toni Braxton talks about new single, video |access-date=September 23, 2021}} (in "Who Will Save Your Soul", "Nobody Knows", and "Just a Girl" respectively).

The video for "I Don't Want To" was published on Braxton's official YouTube channel in October 2009. It has amassed more than 41 million views as of April 2023.{{cite web|title=Toni Braxton - I Don't Want To (Official Music Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uesdoK4Mji4|publisher=YouTube|date=October 25, 2009|access-date=September 14, 2021}}

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• US double A-side CD single and cassette single with "I Love Me Some Him"{{cite web|title=Toni Braxton – I Don't Want To / I Love Me Some Him|year=1997 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Toni-Braxton-I-Dont-Want-To-I-Love-Me-Some-Him/release/199221|publisher=Discogs|access-date=November 10, 2016}}

1. "I Don't Want To" (Album Version) – 4:17
2. "I Love Me Some Him" (Album Version) – 5:09

• US double A-side CD maxi single with "I Love Me Some Him"

1. "I Don't Want To" (Album Version) – 4:17
2. "I Don't Want To" (Frankie Knuckles Club Mix) – 10:57
3. "I Don't Want To" (Instrumental) – 4:19
4. "I Love Me Some Him" (Album Version) – 5:09
5. "Un-Break My Heart" (Billboard Award Show Version) – 4:12

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• UK CD 1{{cite web|title=Toni Braxton – I Don't Want To [UK CD 1]|date=12 May 1997 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Toni-Braxton-I-Dont-Want-To/release/199226|publisher=Discogs|access-date=November 10, 2016}}

1. "I Don't Want To" (Album Version) – 4:15
2. "I Don't Want To" (Frankie Knuckles Radio Edit) – 4:17
3. "You're Makin' Me High" (Hot Ice Dancehall Mix featuring Mad Cobra) – 4:50
4. "I Don't Want To" (Franktified Club Mix) – 10:57

• UK CD 2

1. "I Don't Want To" (Album Version) – 4:15
2. "I Don't Want To" (Classic Club Mix) – 10:54
3. "I Don't Want To" (Deep Jays Delight) – 9:02

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• European CD single{{cite web|title=I Don't Want To: Amazon.co.uk|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-dont-want-Toni-Braxton/dp/B000007VVI/ref=ntt_mus_dp_dpt_1|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=November 10, 2016}}

1. "I Don't Want To" (Album Version) – 4:15
2. "I Don't Want To" (Frankie Knuckles Radio Edit) – 4:17
3. "I Don't Want To" (Franktified Club Mix) – 10:57

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=Braxton, Toni|title=I Don%27t Want To|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1997|certyear=1997|access-date=4 September 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Braxton, Toni|title=I Don%27t Want To|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1997|certyear=1997|salesamount=600,000|salesref={{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA76 |title=Best-Selling Records of 1997 |magazine=Billboard|publisher=BPI Communications Inc.|date=January 31, 1998 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |page=76 |issn=0006-2510|volume=110|number=5}}}}

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• List of number-one dance singles of 1997 (U.S.)

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• {{YouTube|uesdoK4Mji4|Toni Braxton – "I Don't Want To" Music Video}}

{{Toni Braxton}}

{{Toni Braxton singles}}

{{R. Kelly}}

{{R. Kelly singles}}

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Category:1990s ballads

Category:1996 songs

Category:1997 singles

Category:Music videos directed by Bille Woodruff

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:Toni Braxton songs

Category:Songs written by R. Kelly

Category:Song recordings produced by R. Kelly

Category:LaFace Records singles

Category:Songs about heartache