Heartbreaker

Album: Heartbreaker (1982)
Charted: 2 10
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb of The Bee Gees. The Brothers Gibb also added their vocals, which are clearly heard during the chorus. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jeff - Austin, TX
  • This song is about a one-sided relationship, one where Dr. Phil would tell Dionne that "he's just not that into you." She knows that he's no good for her, but has to fight through the feelings she has in order to give him up.
  • Warwick wasn't thrilled about this song, but she knew that recording something written by The Bee Gees was in the best interests of her career, and sure enough, it became her biggest hit since "I'll Never Love This Way Again."

    She recalled to The Mail on Sunday's Event magazine: "It came about when my boss Clive Davis met Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees at a wedding and he told him he had always been a fan of mine and had a song for me. Clive put us in touch."

    "I was not initially keen on the track but it ended up going platinum. I had no criteria on how to pick a hit record. I didn't want to record."

Comments: 9

  • Frank from ChicagoBacharach-David are my favorite songwriters, but Heartbreaker is my favorite Dionne Warwick song.
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenI always thought it would have been an even bigger hit, had it been labeled "Dionne Warwick, featuring the Bee Gees."
  • Andrew from Philadelphia I love Dionne. It's so ironic that Dionne hated some of her biggest hits. This was Warwick's last solo single to reach the Top 10 in the United States
  • Donna from Ft. Lauderdale, FlI went with my then-boyfriend to a Johnny Mathis Christmas concert in touring through Chicago in the mid-1980s. She was a guest artist and performed this song which was still very popular. They were both such legends, I was excited to see them in person. He was amazing. She on the other hand was a disappointment. I don't know if she was fighting a head cold or a sore throat, but she just kind of warbled blandly through her solos and duets. Hey, stuff like that happens when you're on the road, anyone can have an off night. But I think she would have won us over more if she had addressed this openly or made a small joke. She just entered and left the stage asap. By contrast Mathis bantered very easily with the audience throughout the night!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 9th 1983, "Heartbreaker" by Dionne Warwick peaked at #10 (for 2 weeks) on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it had entered the chart on October 3rd, 1982 and spent 22 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on December 12th, 1982 it reached #1 (for 1 week) on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, #2 in Australia & the U.K., and #14 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    Ms. Warwick, born Marie Dionne *Warrick, celebrated her 73rd birthday less than a month ago on December 12th (2013)...
    * Surfed the internet and can't find the reason behind why her last name was changed from Warrick to Warwick???
  • Aimee from Plant City, FlGreat song and one of my favorites! The Bee Gees just get it. I wish they'd record again!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyThis is just one of five different songs that have charted with the title of "Heartbreaker"; the others are by Pat Benatar, Dolly Parton, Grand Funk Railroad, & Mariah Carey...
  • Les from Joplin, MoAlthough her biggest Top 10 hits have been when she has collaborated with other artists, this one and "I'll Never Love This Way Again" are the very best of her 50-year career!
  • Tanya from La Verne, CaA great tune by Dionne and the Gibbs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.