Give Your Heart a Break

Album: Unbroken (2011)
Charted: 16
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This tender track was released as the second single from American pop singer Demi Lovato's third album, Unbroken. The song was penned by the songwriting partnership of Billy Steinberg and Josh Alexander. Steinberg has written numerous US hits dating back to the mid-1980s, mostly with Tom Kelly composing the music. They include "Eternal Flame," "Like A Virgin" and "True Colors."
  • Demi opened up a bit more about the track in a video that she posted on Twitter. "19-years-old ... sometimes it feels like during that brief time that I've been alive that I've lived through more emotions than people twice my age," she said. "I think that's the reason I sing about love so often in the music I make."
  • The singer explained that despite the play on the word "heartbreak" in the title, the song is about the exact opposite. "Last year I began working on a song about a different kind of love," said Demi. "It's a song about showing someone you love that you're the one right in front of them. This is a song about faith."
  • The song's music video finds Demi hitting difficulties in a relationship. Speaking to MTV News she explained. "The new music video, I'm basically trying to convince a guy that I didn't break his heart, and we get into a fight and I try to win him over again. So I do something special for him at the end of the song."
  • While shooting the video, Demi joked on Twitter about having to get intimate with her co-star, whom she had met not long before cameras started rolling. "It's kind of funny. It's part of the job though. You just try to get through it, but it is kind of awkward at first when you have to act like a couple with someone that you don't know," she said. "He was really sweet, really sweet and really cute."
  • The song has the somewhat dubious distinction of being the first to reach #1 on Billboard's Pop Songs chart whilst falling short of the Hot 100's top 10, since the eligibility rules for the latter tally changed in December 1998.

Comments: 1

  • Asemahle Tamsanqa from CofimvabaIt is the best song that heals your wounds and broken heart I love it so much.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.