He Wasn't Man Enough
Encyclopedia
"He Wasn't Man Enough" is a song from American R&B recording artist and songwriter Toni Braxton
, and was released as the lead single
from her third studio album
, The Heat (2000). The song was released on March 7, 200 by LaFace Records
. The song was produced by Rodney 'Darkchild' Jenkins
. "He Wasn't Man Enough" is a dance-pop
and R&B inspired song. The song saw differences through the genre with her previous ballads to more uptempo music.
The song had received generally positive reviews from music critics, many praising it as one of Braxton's best work. The song had international success, becoming one of Braxton signature songs, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
, where the single stood for several weeks, and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
for four weeks. This song is her last Top 10 appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 to date. A accompanying music video
was released for the single, featuring Braxton and her friends at a club
, until her ex husband and his new wife crash the groups fun. But until Braxton confronts her that he's a cheat, they plan a trap to show he is, when he unzips his zipper of his pants, and a live camera see's them, and she busts him, with Braxton and her giving a high-five. The song earned Braxton her fourth Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
in 2001.
, Fred Jerkins III
, LaShawn Daniels
and Harvey Mason, Jr.
, while it was produced by Darkchild. The song was recorded in the United States
, while the production of her third studio album. It was recorded between the time of January to February 2000. Threw the production of it, L.A. Reid had said "It's very strong, and very personal to her".
"He Wasn't Man Enough" is a dance
inspired song, which features more mainstream pop music
with strong R&B influences. The vocal range of "He Wasn't Man Enough" starts with a D4# chord to a C6# chord in a chord of G Major. According to Popmatters
, they had praised Braxton for not being another ballad pop song, saying "the track seems to be an attempt to make some headway within the lucrative urban R&B market." The song's length is a total of four minutes and twenty-one seconds at a moderately slow, yet steady pace.
The song earned Braxton her fourth Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
in 2001. According to Billboard.com
, this song is her last Top 10 appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 to date.
gave it a positive review, certificating it with a B rating. He said "From producer Rodney Jerkins' cushiony pulse to its premise (one woman warning another about her ex-beau), the amenable single He Wasn't Man Enough sounds mightily familiar. But it's still no Scrubs, largely thanks to Braxton's husky, mumbly delivery." NME
gave it a positive review, saying that for the track, "Braxton can probably claim the best set of tonsils in soul-pop". Popmatters
gave it a positive review, saying "The lead single sees Toni tapping into the recent success of female assertiveness (TLC, Kelis, Destiny’s Child & Pink) with the hit single “He Wasn’t Man Enough.” Produced by the ubiquitous Darkchild, the track seems to be an attempt to make some headway within the lucrative urban R&B market.
the week of May 6, 2000 where it stayed there for several weeks. The song also peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
for four weeks. The song had debuted at number five on the UK Singles Chart
on the issue date of 29 April, 2000. The song had debuted at number six on the Australian Singles Chart, until it eventually peaked at number five in that country. The song had debuted at number thirty-six on the New Zealand Singles Chart, and later rose to number five after seven weeks on the charts. The song received platinum
by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand
(RIANZ), selling over 15,000 copies there. The song had debuted at number number ninty-nine on the French Singles Chart until it fell out. Then it re-entered at number seventy-four on the charts, and eventually peaked at number fifteen, becoming the biggest jump of the issue date of 1 July, 2000. The song had debuted at number twenty-one on the Dutch Top 40
, until it peaked at number five on there charts, staying in there for seventeen weeks.
directed by Bille Woodruff from February 25–26, 2000, starts out with Braxton as an animated superhero
who unzips her shirt to ward off villains. Next, she is shown dancing in a red cylinder-like hallway. The shot turns to a club where her ex (played by Keri Lewis of Mint Condition) and his current wife (played by Robin Givens
) walk in. Givens looks Braxton up and down and flashes her wedding ring
at her. Braxton scoffs because she'd had him first and knows what a cheat he is.
The video flashes between Braxton dancing in the hallway and the club scene. At one point, the two women are in the bathroom of the club and Braxton lets her know why she dumped her husband. They set up an act where Braxton goes into a private room with him, and gets him to drop his pants; all the while he is on camera, and everyone at the club, including his current wife, is watching. At the end, Givens busts in and throws the ring at him, and the two women give each other a high five.
The video also features cameo appearances by Rodney Chester
and Tamar Braxton
.
(Arista 74321 75146 2)
Promo CD Single
(LaFace CDX 2239)
Australian CD Single
(Arista / LaFace 74321 75785 2)
US Promo CD
(LaFace 73008 24463 2)
US/EU Maxi CD
(LaFace LFPCD-4444)
Official versions
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
, and was released as the lead single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from her third studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, The Heat (2000). The song was released on March 7, 200 by LaFace Records
LaFace Records
LaFace Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment.-Company history:LaFace was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid & Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful...
. The song was produced by Rodney 'Darkchild' Jenkins
Rodney Jerkins
Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:...
. "He Wasn't Man Enough" is a dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
and R&B inspired song. The song saw differences through the genre with her previous ballads to more uptempo music.
The song had received generally positive reviews from music critics, many praising it as one of Braxton's best work. The song had international success, becoming one of Braxton signature songs, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, where the single stood for several weeks, and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
for four weeks. This song is her last Top 10 appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 to date. A 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...
was released for the single, featuring Braxton and her friends at a club
Club
A club is an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal. A service club, for example, exists for voluntary or charitable activities; there are clubs devoted to hobbies and sports, social activities clubs, political and religious clubs, and so forth.- History...
, until her ex husband and his new wife crash the groups fun. But until Braxton confronts her that he's a cheat, they plan a trap to show he is, when he unzips his zipper of his pants, and a live camera see's them, and she busts him, with Braxton and her giving a high-five. The song earned Braxton her fourth Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to female recording artists for quality R&B songs...
in 2001.
Background and compositon
"He Wasn't Man Enough" was released as the lead single from Braxton's studio album The Heat (2000). The song was written by Rodney JerkinsRodney Jerkins
Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:...
, Fred Jerkins III
Fred Jerkins III
Fred Jerkins III is an American songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with his brother Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. Jerkins has co-written several hit songs with Rodney Jerkins and LaShawn Daniels, among them "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy and Monica, "Say My Name" and "Lose My...
, LaShawn Daniels
LaShawn Daniels
LaShawn Ameen Daniels is an American songwriter, best known for his work with longtime colleague Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. Daniels has written several of the Darkchild Team's hit songs, among them "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy & Monica, "Say My Name" and "Lose My Breath" by Destiny's Child, "You...
and Harvey Mason, Jr.
The Underdogs (duo)
The Underdogs is an R&B/pop production duo composed of Harvey Mason, Jr. and Damon Thomas.-Biography:Harvey Mason, Jr. is the son of Harvey Mason, Sr., a noted session drummer...
, while it was produced by Darkchild. The song was recorded in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, while the production of her third studio album. It was recorded between the time of January to February 2000. Threw the production of it, L.A. Reid had said "It's very strong, and very personal to her".
"He Wasn't Man Enough" is a dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
inspired song, which features more mainstream pop music
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...
with strong R&B influences. The vocal range of "He Wasn't Man Enough" starts with a D4# chord to a C6# chord in a chord of G Major. According to Popmatters
PopMatters
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,...
, they had praised Braxton for not being another ballad pop song, saying "the track seems to be an attempt to make some headway within the lucrative urban R&B market." The song's length is a total of four minutes and twenty-one seconds at a moderately slow, yet steady pace.
The song earned Braxton her fourth Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to female recording artists for quality R&B songs...
in 2001. According to Billboard.com
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...
, this song is her last Top 10 appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 to date.
Critical reception
"He Wasn't Man Enough" had received really positive reception from pop music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic had highlighted the track as a album highlight, where he also said that along with "Gimme Some" was a "skimmering beat". David Browne from Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
gave it a positive review, certificating it with a B rating. He said "From producer Rodney Jerkins' cushiony pulse to its premise (one woman warning another about her ex-beau), the amenable single He Wasn't Man Enough sounds mightily familiar. But it's still no Scrubs, largely thanks to Braxton's husky, mumbly delivery." NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
gave it a positive review, saying that for the track, "Braxton can probably claim the best set of tonsils in soul-pop". Popmatters
PopMatters
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,...
gave it a positive review, saying "The lead single sees Toni tapping into the recent success of female assertiveness (TLC, Kelis, Destiny’s Child & Pink) with the hit single “He Wasn’t Man Enough.” Produced by the ubiquitous Darkchild, the track seems to be an attempt to make some headway within the lucrative urban R&B market.
Chart performance
"He Wasn't Man Enough" had peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
the week of May 6, 2000 where it stayed there for several weeks. The song also peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
for four weeks. The song had debuted at number five on the 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 ...
on the issue date of 29 April, 2000. The song had debuted at number six on the Australian Singles Chart, until it eventually peaked at number five in that country. The song had debuted at number thirty-six on the New Zealand Singles Chart, and later rose to number five after seven weeks on the charts. The song received platinum
Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina del Pinto, which is literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto River." It is a dense, malleable, ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal...
by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand
Recording Industry Association of New Zealand
The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand...
(RIANZ), selling over 15,000 copies there. The song had debuted at number number ninty-nine on the French Singles Chart until it fell out. Then it re-entered at number seventy-four on the charts, and eventually peaked at number fifteen, becoming the biggest jump of the issue date of 1 July, 2000. The song had debuted at number twenty-one on the Dutch Top 40
Dutch Top 40
The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting...
, until it peaked at number five on there charts, staying in there for seventeen weeks.
Music video
The videoMusic 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...
directed by Bille Woodruff from February 25–26, 2000, starts out with Braxton as an animated superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
who unzips her shirt to ward off villains. Next, she is shown dancing in a red cylinder-like hallway. The shot turns to a club where her ex (played by Keri Lewis of Mint Condition) and his current wife (played by Robin Givens
Robin Givens
Robin Simone Givens is an American model and film, television, and stage actress. She is best known for her role as Darlene Merriman on the television series Head of the Class.-Early life:...
) walk in. Givens looks Braxton up and down and flashes her wedding ring
Wedding ring
A wedding ring or wedding band is a metal ring indicating the wearer is married. Depending on the local culture, it is worn on the base of the right or the left ring finger. The custom of wearing such a ring has spread widely beyond its origin in Europe...
at her. Braxton scoffs because she'd had him first and knows what a cheat he is.
The video flashes between Braxton dancing in the hallway and the club scene. At one point, the two women are in the bathroom of the club and Braxton lets her know why she dumped her husband. They set up an act where Braxton goes into a private room with him, and gets him to drop his pants; all the while he is on camera, and everyone at the club, including his current wife, is watching. At the end, Givens busts in and throws the ring at him, and the two women give each other a high five.
The video also features cameo appearances by Rodney Chester
Rodney Chester
Rodney Chester is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Alex Kirby on the Logo sitcom Noah's Arc.-Biography:Originally from Cocoa Beach, Florida, Chester graduated from Bethune-Cookman College with honors before moving to Los Angeles to pursue dancing, choreography and theater...
and Tamar Braxton
Tamar Braxton
Tamar Braxton-Herbert is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and reality television personality. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the R&B group, The Braxtons. Braxton is the youngest sister of prominent R&B singer Toni Braxton.In 2011, Tamar Braxton reunited with her sisters,...
.
Track listing and formats
CD Single(Arista 74321 75146 2)
- He Wasn't Man Enough (Radio edit) - 3:58
- He Wasn't Man Enough (Extended edit) - 5:35
Promo CD Single
(LaFace CDX 2239)
- He Wasn't Man Enough - 4:21
Australian CD Single
(Arista / LaFace 74321 75785 2)
- He Wasn't Man Enough (Radio edit) - 4:02
- You're Makin' Me High (Classic edit) - 3:38
- He Wasn't Man Enough (Extended edit) - 5:35
- He Wasn't Man Enough (Music video)
US Promo CD
(LaFace 73008 24463 2)
- He Wasn't Man Enough (Album version) - 4:21
- He Wasn't Man Enough (Instrumental) - 4:19
US/EU Maxi CD
(LaFace LFPCD-4444)
- He Wasn't Man Enough (Album version) - 4:21
- He Wasn't Man Enough (Instrumental) - 4:19
- He Wasn't Man Enough (Call Out Research Hook) - 0:10
Official versions
- "He Wasn't Man Enough" (a cappella) – 4:19
- "He Wasn't Man Enough" (JuniorJunior VasquezJunior Vasquez, , is an American club DJ and remixer/producer.-Career:...
Marathon Mix) – 12:06 - "He Wasn't Man Enough" (Junior Instrumental) – 8:06
- "He Wasn't Man Enough" (Peter RauhoferPeter RauhoferPeter Rauhofer is a DJ, remixer and producer who formerly went under the moniker Club 69 as well as Size Queen. A native of Vienna, Austria, he is famous for his remixes of a number of Madonna's songs including "Nothing Really Matters", "American Life", "Nothing Fails, "Nobody Knows Me", "Get...
NYC Club Mix) – 8:42 - "He Wasn't Man Enough" (Peter Rauhofer NYC Dub) – 10:29
- "He Wasn't Man Enough" (Forces of Nature Remix)
- "He Wasn't Man Enough" (Forces of Nature Dub)
Peak positions
| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian 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... |
5 |
| Belgian Singles Chart Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995... (Flanders) |
14 |
| Belgian Singles Chart Ultratop 40 Ultratop 40 singles, often just Ultratop 40, is the weekly chart of best-selling singles in Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region, the french-speaking parts of Belgium. Its equivalent covering the Flanders region is Ultratop 50. Both charts are produced and published by the Ultratop organization... (Wallonia) |
8 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
1 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
4 |
| French Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
14 |
| 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... |
20 |
| 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... |
12 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
5 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart VG-lista VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by... |
13 |
| Swedish Singles Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
10 |
| 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... |
7 |
| 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 ... |
5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 16 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2000) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 10 |