Broken-Hearted Girl
Encyclopedia
"Broken-Hearted Girl" is a song by America
n recording artist Beyoncé Knowles
. It was written by Knowles, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen
and Tor Erik Hermansen
, and was produced by Knowles and Stargate
for Knowles' third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Having previously been announced as the album's sixth single, it was delayed, with "Sweet Dreams
" released instead. "Broken-Hearted Girl" later became the album's seventh overall single, and was first released on August 28, 2009. It was, however, never serviced as a single in the United States.
An R&B
and pop
ballad
, the song features a moderate tempo
as well as uses piano
, string
s and drum
s. It received generally positive reviews and mixed from critics, who praised Knowles' vocal effort and the song's use of piano, however criticizing the production. It appeared on several singles charts
, and reached the top twenty in Australia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Germany and Ireland. The accompanying music video
for "Broken-Hearted Girl" reminisces on a former relationship, and shows some scenes in reverse. The song was part of Knowles' set list
on her I Am... Tour.
-ballad
written by Beyoncé Knowles
, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and co-written and produced by Stargate
. The song was recorded at Roc the Mic Studios in New York City
. A demo recorded by Babyface was posted online following the release of I Am... Sasha Fierce. "Broken-Hearted Girl" is written in D minor
, with a tempo
of 84 beats per minute in common time
signature. The production and melody is backed by strings
and a drum machine
beat. Mariel Concepcion of Billboard
wrote that Knowles "belts emotively" on the song's hook, "I don't want a broken heart / And I don't want to play the broken-hearted girl". Emma Edmonson of The Sun wrote that Knowles sings about heartache and ex-boyfriends in the song. "Broken-Hearted Girl" uses a chord progression
of Dm–B–F(add9)–F–C/E, while Knowles' vocal range spans from the low note of F4
to the high note of F6
. Mikkel Eriksen of Stargate described the song's conception:
" was released instead. "Broken-Hearted Girl" was then subsequently released as the album's seventh single. It was first released in Australia and New Zealand on August 28, 2009, though in October and November 2009 it was also released in other territories. A dub remix of the song by Alan Braxe
was featured as the fourth track on the European maxi-single. Prefix Magazine's Matthew Richardson found it "pleasingly clubby" and reminiscent of the work of Leona Lewis
.
said that "The piano-balladry of 'Broken-Hearted Girl' is simply more Celine Dion
than Aretha Franklin
". Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond of Village Voice
called the song "romantic-comedy soundtrack fare". Elysa Gardner from USA Today
picked "Broken-Hearted Girl" as one of the songs of I Am... Sasha Fierce to "consider" downloading, while Jennifer Vineyard of MTV News
noted the dominance of piano and strings in the song, adding that Beyoncé's "voice shows restraint, and singing in a lower register gives her more vocal power". Tracey Ford of The Boomboox found similarities between "Broken-Hearted Girl" and "Irreplaceable
" (2006).
Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy
gave the single three stars out of five, commending the piano and strings and Beyoncé's "emotion-filled vocals", but criticizing the drum sounds. The review concludes that although the song is not as "magnetic" as "Crazy in Love" and "If I Were a Boy
", and singles from Destiny's Child
's "still-peerless" Writing's on the Wall
and Survivor, it is "more proof that Beyoncé is one of the finest pop singers of her generation." More mixed to negative reviews came from The A.V. Club
Michaelangelo Matos, who felt that "Broken-Hearted Girl" is "unfinished", and Jessica Suarez of Paste
, who wrote that Knowles' "commanding voice sounds unusually thin" during the song. She also called the piano "weepy", and was unconvinced by the lyrics.
at number fifty-six on October 3, 2009. It rose to number twenty-seven on November 14, 2009, and slipped off the chart in December 2009 after twelve weeks. It also peaked at number twelve on the UK R&B Chart
. The song was successful across Europe, reaching number thirty-seven on the European Hot 100 Singles: it peaked at number twenty in the Irish Singles Chart
, where it lasted nine weeks, and attained top twenty places on the Czech Republic Airplay Chart, and the German Singles Chart
. It made the top forty in Austria and Slovakia. and also appeared on the Swiss Singles Chart
and the Belgian Tip Charts
. In Australia, the song spent two weeks at a number fourteen high on the ARIA Singles Chart
, and nine weeks in the top fifty. It reached a peak of number ten on the Brazilian Hot 100 Airplay
.
, who previously directed "Déjà Vu" and "Ring the Alarm
" for Knowles. The beginning of the video is shot in black-and-white
, and shows Knowles in a car crying before walking along a beach. While crying in the car, recalled memories of Knowles and her partner spending time there previously are displayed. In a current-time scene, Knowles then walks on the beach for a while only to later remove an article of clothing, tossing it at the camera. She later walks into the water with teary eyes singing into the camera. Midway through the song, the video transitions into full color, where Knowles is seen in a green dress with a red rose. A scene shows Knowles repairing a rose, a reverse cut of her pulling the petals off. The video returns to black and white memories, and ends with Knowles returning to her car, smiling, and driving off.
. The recording of the song was previewed on Yahoo! Music
on November 25, 2010 prior to the video's release on November 29. Jayson Rodriguez of MTV News concluded that Knowles showed her softer side while performing the song. Duane Lamonte, a contestant of the sixth season
of The X Factor UK
covered the song during one of his audution.
Digital EP
Australia, Germany and New Zealand digital EP
Europe single
Brazil and Germany CD single
Amazon France digital download
Europe maxi single
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
n recording artist Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
. It was written by Knowles, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
and Tor Erik Hermansen
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
, and was produced by Knowles and Stargate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
for Knowles' third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Having previously been announced as the album's sixth single, it was delayed, with "Sweet Dreams
Sweet Dreams (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Sweet Dreams" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce . Originally titled "Beautiful Nightmare", the song leaked in March 2008, eight months prior to the album's release. Written and produced by Knowles, James Scheffer, Wayne Wilkins, and...
" released instead. "Broken-Hearted Girl" later became the album's seventh overall single, and was first released on August 28, 2009. It was, however, never serviced as a single in the United States.
An R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
, the song features a moderate tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
as well as uses piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, string
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
s and drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s. It received generally positive reviews and mixed from critics, who praised Knowles' vocal effort and the song's use of piano, however criticizing the production. It appeared on several singles charts
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
, and reached the top twenty in Australia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Germany and Ireland. The accompanying music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Broken-Hearted Girl" reminisces on a former relationship, and shows some scenes in reverse. The song was part of Knowles' set list
Set list
A set list, or setlist, is a document that lists the songs that a band or musical artist intends to play, or has played, during a specific concert performance...
on her I Am... Tour.
Background and composition
"Broken-Hearted Girl" is a mid-tempo pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
-ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
written by Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and co-written and produced by Stargate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
. The song was recorded at Roc the Mic Studios in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. A demo recorded by Babyface was posted online following the release of I Am... Sasha Fierce. "Broken-Hearted Girl" is written in D minor
D minor
D minor is a minor scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. In the harmonic minor, the C is raised to C. Its key signature has one flat ....
, with a tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
of 84 beats per minute in common time
Time signature
The time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat....
signature. The production and melody is backed by strings
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
and a drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
beat. Mariel Concepcion of Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
wrote that Knowles "belts emotively" on the song's hook, "I don't want a broken heart / And I don't want to play the broken-hearted girl". Emma Edmonson of The Sun wrote that Knowles sings about heartache and ex-boyfriends in the song. "Broken-Hearted Girl" uses a chord progression
Chord progression
A chord progression is a series of musical chords, or chord changes that "aims for a definite goal" of establishing a tonality founded on a key, root or tonic chord. In other words, the succession of root relationships...
of Dm–B–F(add9)–F–C/E, while Knowles' vocal range spans from the low note of F4
F (musical note)
F is a musical note, the fourth above C. It is also known as fa in fixed-do solfège.When calculated in equal temperament with a reference of A above middle C as 440 Hz, the frequency of Middle F is approximately 349.228 Hz. See pitch for a discussion of historical variations in...
to the high note of F6
F (musical note)
F is a musical note, the fourth above C. It is also known as fa in fixed-do solfège.When calculated in equal temperament with a reference of A above middle C as 440 Hz, the frequency of Middle F is approximately 349.228 Hz. See pitch for a discussion of historical variations in...
. Mikkel Eriksen of Stargate described the song's conception:
Originally this was a classic, full R&B track, that we wrote with Babyface. He came in and changed one chord and wrote the lyrics and then he added a falsetto voice that we recorded as a demo. From there we proceeded to change the entire backing track around his vocal. We changed the chords, everything, and this is where that four to the floor piano emerged. The song is in D-minor. I suppose many of our songs are in minor keys. We probably lean towards more a moody, melodic expression. It’s what comes most natural for us.
Release
"Broken-Hearted Girl" was initially selected to be released as the sixth single from I Am... Sasha Fierce. However for undisclosed reasons, "Sweet DreamsSweet Dreams (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Sweet Dreams" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce . Originally titled "Beautiful Nightmare", the song leaked in March 2008, eight months prior to the album's release. Written and produced by Knowles, James Scheffer, Wayne Wilkins, and...
" was released instead. "Broken-Hearted Girl" was then subsequently released as the album's seventh single. It was first released in Australia and New Zealand on August 28, 2009, though in October and November 2009 it was also released in other territories. A dub remix of the song by Alan Braxe
Alan Braxe
Alain Quême, also known as Alan Braxe, is a French electronic music artist. Braxe is most widely known for his collaborative work with electronic bassist Fred Falke and Kris Menace. In 2005 Alan released The Upper Cuts, a collection of his previous released material.-History:Alan Braxe began work...
was featured as the fourth track on the European maxi-single. Prefix Magazine's Matthew Richardson found it "pleasingly clubby" and reminiscent of the work of Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
.
Critical reception
"Broken-Hearted Girl" received both positive and mixed reviews from contemporary music critics, who commended Knowles' vocal effort as well as the song's use of piano. Nevertheless, they criticized its production. Colin McGuire of Pop MattersPopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
said that "The piano-balladry of 'Broken-Hearted Girl' is simply more Celine Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
than Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
". Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond of Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
called the song "romantic-comedy soundtrack fare". Elysa Gardner from USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
picked "Broken-Hearted Girl" as one of the songs of I Am... Sasha Fierce to "consider" downloading, while Jennifer Vineyard of MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
noted the dominance of piano and strings in the song, adding that Beyoncé's "voice shows restraint, and singing in a lower register gives her more vocal power". Tracey Ford of The Boomboox found similarities between "Broken-Hearted Girl" and "Irreplaceable
Irreplaceable
"Irreplaceable" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her second studio album, B'Day . The song was written by Knowles, Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, and produced by Stargate and Knowles...
" (2006).
Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
gave the single three stars out of five, commending the piano and strings and Beyoncé's "emotion-filled vocals", but criticizing the drum sounds. The review concludes that although the song is not as "magnetic" as "Crazy in Love" and "If I Were a Boy
If I Were a Boy
"If I Were a Boy" is a pop song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. It was composed by Toby Gad and BC Jean. Jean initially recorded her version of the song which was rejected by Jean's record company. Knowles then recorded a new version for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce...
", and singles from Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
's "still-peerless" Writing's on the Wall
Writing's on the Wall
"Writing's on the Wall" is a song by Canadian rock band The Tea Party. It was released as a promotional single in Canada. The music video was animated by Stuart Chatwood and Stephen Scott....
and Survivor, it is "more proof that Beyoncé is one of the finest pop singers of her generation." More mixed to negative reviews came from The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
Michaelangelo Matos, who felt that "Broken-Hearted Girl" is "unfinished", and Jessica Suarez of Paste
Paste (magazine)
Paste is a monthly music and entertainment digital magazine published in the United States by Wolfgang's Vault. Its tagline is "Signs of Life in Music, Film and Culture."-History:...
, who wrote that Knowles' "commanding voice sounds unusually thin" during the song. She also called the piano "weepy", and was unconvinced by the lyrics.
Chart performance
"Broken-Hearted Girl" debuted on the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at number fifty-six on October 3, 2009. It rose to number twenty-seven on November 14, 2009, and slipped off the chart in December 2009 after twelve weeks. It also peaked at number twelve on the UK R&B Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
. The song was successful across Europe, reaching number thirty-seven on the European Hot 100 Singles: it peaked at number twenty in the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
, where it lasted nine weeks, and attained top twenty places on the Czech Republic Airplay Chart, and the German Singles Chart
Media Control Charts
The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie...
. It made the top forty in Austria and Slovakia. and also appeared on the Swiss Singles Chart
Swiss Music Charts
The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75...
and the Belgian Tip Charts
Ultratop
Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts...
. In Australia, the song spent two weeks at a number fourteen high on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
, and nine weeks in the top fifty. It reached a peak of number ten on the Brazilian Hot 100 Airplay
Brasil Hot 100 Airplay
Brasil Hot 100 Airplay is the official music singles charts in Brazil. It has been compiled by Crowley Broadcast Analysis and published monthly by Billboard Brasil since the release of the magazine, in October 2009....
.
Music video
A video for the single was released on June 16, 2009 on the Above and Beyoncé - Video Collection & Dance Mixes. The video was directed by Sophie MullerSophie Muller
Sophie Muller is a British music video director, noted for her long-time collaborations with artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor, No Doubt, Sade, Shakira, Shakespears Sister, Garbage, Blur, Annie Lennox and Eurythmics.-Background:...
, who previously directed "Déjà Vu" and "Ring the Alarm
Ring the Alarm
"Ring the Alarm" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her second studio album, B'Day . It was composed by Knowles, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, and Sean Garrett...
" for Knowles. The beginning of the video is shot in black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
, and shows Knowles in a car crying before walking along a beach. While crying in the car, recalled memories of Knowles and her partner spending time there previously are displayed. In a current-time scene, Knowles then walks on the beach for a while only to later remove an article of clothing, tossing it at the camera. She later walks into the water with teary eyes singing into the camera. Midway through the song, the video transitions into full color, where Knowles is seen in a green dress with a red rose. A scene shows Knowles repairing a rose, a reverse cut of her pulling the petals off. The video returns to black and white memories, and ends with Knowles returning to her car, smiling, and driving off.
Live performances and cover version
Knowles sang "Broken-Hearted Girl" on her I Am... Tour. A performance was taped and made available on her live album, I Am... World TourI Am... World Tour
I Am... World Tour is a live DVD/CD concert film by American R&B recording artist Beyoncé Knowles who also produced, directed and edited the concert film for her own Parkwood Pictures. The DVD was filmed in presence of more than a million of fans during her worldwide I Am... Tour, running from...
. The recording of the song was previewed on Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...
on November 25, 2010 prior to the video's release on November 29. Jayson Rodriguez of MTV News concluded that Knowles showed her softer side while performing the song. Duane Lamonte, a contestant of the sixth season
The X Factor (UK series 6)
The sixth series of British television music competition The X Factor started on ITV on 22 August 2009 and was won by Joe McElderry on 13 December 2009. Cheryl Cole emerged as the winning mentor for the second consecutive year, the first time in the show's history that a mentor has won back-to-back...
of The X Factor UK
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
covered the song during one of his audution.
Track listing
Australia and New Zealand single- "Broken-Hearted Girl" – 4:39
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" (Catalyst Remix) – 4:46
Digital EP
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" – 4:37
- "Video Phone" (extended remix featuring Lady GagaLady GaGaStefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
) – 5:04 - "Poison" – 4:04
Australia, Germany and New Zealand digital EP
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" – 4:37
- "Video Phone" (extended remix featuring Lady GagaLady GaGaStefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
) – 5:04 - "Poison" – 4:04
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" (music videoMusic videoA music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
) – 4:39
Europe single
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" – 4:38
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" (Alan Braxe Remix) – 3:29
Brazil and Germany CD single
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" – 4:39
- "Video Phone" (Extended Remix featuring Lady GagaLady GaGaStefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
) – 5:04
Amazon France digital download
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" – 4:37
- "Video Phone" (extended remix featuring Lady GagaLady GaGaStefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
) – 5:04 - "Poison" – 4:04
Europe maxi single
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" (Gareth Wyn Remix) – 6:31
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" (Gareth Wyn Remix 128 BPM) – 6:48
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" (Alan Braxe Remix) – 4:18
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" (Alan Braxe Dub Remix) – 7:01
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" (Olli Collins & Fred Portelli Remix) – 6:36
- "Broken-Hearted Girl" (Radio Edit) – 3:29
Credits and personnel
Credits are taken from I Am... Sasha Fierce liner notesLiner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
.
- Jim Caruana – vocals recorderSound recording and reproductionSound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
- Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds – writerSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
- Mikkel Storleer EriksenStargate (production team)This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
– instrumentsMusical instrumentA musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
, recorder, writer - Matt Green – mixerMix engineerA mix engineer, also referred to as "mixing engineer", is a person who, once all instruments, voices, and sounds, etc., have been recorded, creates what is called the final version of a song, hence the term "mix engineer"...
assistant - Tor Erik HermansenStargate (production team)This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
– instruments, writer - Beyoncé Knowles – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, writerWritingWriting is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely... - StargateStargate (production team)This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
– producer - Mark "Spike" StentMark StentMark 'Spike' Stent is a British record producer, and audio engineer who has worked with The KLF, Björk, Keane, Depeche Mode, Muse, Erasure, Hard-Fi, Massive Attack, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Marilyn Manson, Pet Shop Boys, Dave Matthews, No Doubt/Gwen Stefani, CSS, Beth Orton,...
– mixer
Peak positions
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
14 |
| ARIA Urban Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
4 |
| Austrian Singles Chart Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... |
38 |
| Belgian Tip Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Flanders) |
7 |
| Belgian Tip Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Wallonia) |
9 |
| Brazil Billboard Billboard Brasil Billboard Brasil is a monthly Brazilian magazine launched on October 10, 2009, with a print-run of over 40,000 copies. It is distributed nationwide by Brazil's biggest distributor Dinap... Hot 100 Airplay Brasil Hot 100 Airplay Brasil Hot 100 Airplay is the official music singles charts in Brazil. It has been compiled by Crowley Broadcast Analysis and published monthly by Billboard Brasil since the release of the magazine, in October 2009.... |
10 |
| Czech Republic Airplay Chart Rádio Top 100 Oficiální Rádio Top 100 Oficiální is the name of the Czech national airplay chart published by the IFPI Czech Republic on a weekly basis.Besides the main Top 100 record chart, also two component charts are effective. While the Rádio CZ 50 Oficiální features songs released exclusively by Czech and/or Slovak... |
15 |
| European Hot 100 Singles | 37 |
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
14 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
20 |
| Swiss Singles Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
62 |
| Slovakian Airplay Chart Rádio Top 100 Oficiálna Rádio Top 100 Oficiálna is the name of the Slovakian national airplay chart published by the IFPI Czech Republic on a weekly basis since the cancellation of the Slovakian national section on December 31, 2009.... |
39 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
27 |
| UK R&B Chart UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
12 |
End-of-year charts
| Chart (2009) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Urban Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
37 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
189 |
Release history
| Country | Date |
|---|---|
| Australia | August 28, 2009 |
| New Zealand | |
| Europe | October 30, 2009 |
| Germany | November 20, 2009 |
| Brazil | November 23, 2009 |