written by David Foster & Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds

David Foster and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds are two of the world’s most talented and successful music producers. They owned the Nineties with their countless hit singles and expressed mutual admiration and respect. During those years, Foster had the chance to produce Babyface, also a skilled singer, on a couple of occasions. The two hitmakers with Linda Thompson composed the Celine Dion anthem, “The Power Of The Dream,” for the 1998 Olympic Games in Atlanta . At the end of the decade, Foster and Babyface co-wrote another beautiful ballad entitled “This Time Next Year.”

The song was originally sung by UK singer Shola Ama on her 1999 cd “In Return.” A definitive version of “This Time Next Year” was given by r&b star Toni Braxton on her 2001 Christmas release “Snowflakes.” Braxton wasn’t new to Foster’s touch. Her most important hit, “Un-Break My Heart,” was produced by the Canadian music-maker for her multi-platinum cd “Secrets” that came out in 1996 on Babyface’s LaFace label. Babyface was a mentor for the soul superstar and he would co-write and produce some of Braxton most famous hits like “You’re Makin’ Me High,” “Breathe Again” and “Another Sad Love Song.” Babyface oversaw her “Snowflakes” cd, again out on LaFace, even though he only co-produced “This Time Next Year” with collaborator Daryl Simmons. Babyface left the reminder of the album to other producers including Keri Lewis, Simmons and his LaFace partner LA Reid. “This Time Next Year” is easily one of the highlights on “Snowflakes.” Composed by two pop heavyweights like Foster and Babyface, it obviously has a killer melody with an elegant arrangement to support Braxton’s flawless vocal performance singing the bittersweet lyrics. It seems like “This Time Next Year” was originally recorded for Braxton’s “Secret” cd, but was eventually finished a few years later to be included on “Snowflakes.”

Both Foster and Babyface kept their string of hits going in the new millennium and they crossed paths on several occasions. For example, every time Foster had a high-profile charity or an important tour, you can be sure that he asked his pal Babyface to be part of the line-up. Singing Babyface’s own hits or something from the Foster files always awards stellar results.

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Lead & Backing Vocals: Toni Braxton
Acoustic Piano: Vance Taylor
Keyboards & Percussion: Daryl Simmons
Classical Guitar: Sonny Lallerstedt
Electric Guitar: Michael Thompson
Bass: Nathan East
Drum Programming: Tony Williams
Drum Overdub: Scott Meeder
Backing Vocals: Anthony Daniels, Babyface, Chanté Moore & Heather Mitchell

String Arrangement by Jeremy Lubbock

Produced by Babyface & Daryl Simmons
Co-Produced by Toni Braxton

Lyrics

This time next year I’ll be home lighting candles
Trying to just get on with my life
And this time next year hope I’m through
with the hurting
Trying to get you out of my mind

So, don’t try to play like you’re not that concerned
And don’t try to say that your heart doesn’t burn
So, tell me

How can you say that our love isn’t special?
How can you say
That our love wasn’t true?
And how can you say
You can take it or leave it
When I’m missing you and you know
You’ll be missing me, too?

[Chorus]
This time next year I’ll be out buying presents
And something will remind me of you
And this time next year I’ll be out having dinner
And run into some friends we both knew

Oh, don’t try to play like you won’t be concerned
And don’t try to say that your heart doesn’t yearn
Oh, tell me

[Chorus]

Come early Christmas morning
I’ll be having my coffee and I’ll think of you
And the things we used to do
And you know it will be breaking my heart
Cause the holidays are special
it will always play a part
In my heart

[Chorus]

written by Steve Mac & Wayne Hector

“Pulse,” released in the spring of 2010, was Toni Braxton’s comeback album.
The R&B diva signed a new contract with Atlantic Records and worked for almost two years to carefully pick and record material for this new release. Among the producers and songwriters enlisted were Harvey Mason Jr., Simon Franglen, Chuck Harmony, Troy Taylor and David Foster. Foster and Braxton collaborated on some of her previous projects and especially on the smash “Un-Break My Heart” in 1996 that owned the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 for eleven weeks.

This time around, the Canadian super-producer was asked to work on a cover of a Delta Goodrem song entitled “Woman.” Co-written by successful UK producer/songwriter, Steve Mac, “Woman”  was originally included on the Australian pop sensation’s  2007 hit album, “Delta.” Mac, who cites Foster among his most important influences, collaborated with his idol on Braxton’s version.
“Woman” is a good adult contemporary ballad with poignant lyrics and an heartfelt performance by the singer with her effective low rich tone. The keyboard-driven arrangement is Foster at his dramatic best and the production is the usual state-of-the-art affair. “Woman” was also the fourth single released from the album but it didn’t chart. “Pulse” got positive reviews but sales weren’t good even though it debuted at #1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart and made the top ten on Billboard’s 200.

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[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/woman.mp3|titles=Woman|artists=Toni Braxton]

Lead Vocals: Toni Braxton

Produced by David Foster & Steve Mac

Lyrics

I worked late but you don’t wait up
My bones ache and i’m cleaning the place up
Sometimes i don’t even know why i care

I sit down take off my make-up
I lay down but you don’t wake up
Sometimes i wonder if you know i’m there

I can’t remember the last time you
Told me i’m beautiful, and i can’t remember
the Last time that you said anything at all

I’m a woman
A woman with a heart
And i deserve your all
I’m not some girl who don’t know what she wants
I’m a woman
And i need to be touched
And i need to be loved
’cause being just your woman is not enough

Now i hope that you don’t wake up
When it’s too late to make up
You’ll be the one that’s alone and that’s so sad

In time you’ll find somebody
The truth is she’ll never be me
And that’s when you’re going to miss what we had

All i really needed to hear was “you’re beautiful”
All i really needed to hear was anything at all

I’m a woman
A woman with a heart
And i deserve your all
I’m not some girl who don’t know what she wants
I’m a woman
And i need to be touched
And i need to be loved
’cause being just your woman is not enough

I’m not your friend who only need you sometimes
if i’m your lady
You got to treat me like…

I’m a woman
A woman with a heart
And i deserve your all
I’m not some girl who don’t know what she wants
I’m a woman
And i need to be touched
And i need to be loved
’cause being just your woman is not enough

Written by Diane Warren

Released in 2000, “The Heat” was Toni Braxton’s third album and another huge hit for the singer. It sold over six millions worldwide and was certified multi-platinum in the USA with over two million in sales. Musically, “The Heat” took the performer towards more urban/dance material like the first single, “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” co-written and produced by Rodney Jerkins.

Jerkins was among a list of big music makers involved with this project that also included Babyface, Daryl Simmons, Diane Warren and David Foster. Warren and Foster were already responsible for Braxton’s mega hit “Un-Break My Heart.” This time around, they worked on a couple of killer ballads that were firmly placed in Adult Contemporary territory. One of those songs, “Spanish Guitar,” was released as the third single from the album. Originally written for Céliné Dion who never recorded it, “Spanish Guitar” follows the musical footsteps of “Un-Break My Heart.” It’s a magnificent ballad, perfectly crafted by Foster and beautifully performed by the gifted singer. The song wasn’t commercially available in the U.S. and for this reason only reached #98 on Billboard’s Hot 100. It did make the top twenty on the Adult Contemporary chart and a dance remix of the song skyrocketed to #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart. “Spanish Guitar” had good success worldwide making the Top 40 charts in several countries. The other Diane Warren written, David Foster produced ballad was “I’m Still Breathing.” Again, it is a great example of Adult Pop at its best.

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/spanish_guitar.mp3|titles=Spanish Guitar|artists=Toni Braxton]

Lead Vocals: Toni Braxton
Keyboards: David Foster
Synclavier: Simon Franglen
Guitar: Dean Parks
Background Vocals: Sue Ann Carwell

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

A smoky room, a small cafe
They come to hear you play
And drink and dance the night away
I sit out in the crowd
And close my eyes
Dream you’re mine
But you don’t know
You don’t even know that I am there

I wish that I was in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
And you would play me through the night
‘Till the dawn
I wish you’d hold me in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
All night long, all night long
I’d be your song, I’d be your song

Steal my heart with every note you play
I pray you’ll look my way
And hold me to your heart someday
I long to be the one that you caress with
tenderness
And you don’t know
You don’t even know that I exist

I wish that I was in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
And you would play me through the night
‘Till the dawn
I wish you’d hold me in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
All night long, all night long
I’d be your song, I’d be your song

Te sientas entre la gente
Cierras tu ojos
Y suenas que soy tuyo
Pero yo no siquiera se que estas ahi
Me gustaria tenerte entre mis brazos amor

I sit out in the crowd
And close my eyes
Dream you’re mine
And you don’t know
You don’t even know that I exist

I wish that I was in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
And you would play me through the night
‘Till the dawn
I wish you’d hold me in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
All night long, all night long
I’d be your song, I’d be your song

“Un-Break My Heart” is one of the biggest hits of David Foster’s amazing career. It is just one of several songs written by Diane Warren as well as arranged and produced by Foster that skyrocketed to the top of the charts during the nineties. Right after its release in 1996 as the second single from Toni Braxton’s hit album, “Secrets”, “Un-Break My Heart” reached the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 and kept that position for 11 weeks. It was also # 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart for 14 weeks, # 2 on the Hot r&b/hip-hop chart, plus a dance remix topped the dance charts. It was quickly certified platinum and earned Braxton a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. This slick pop/r&b ballad had a truly irresistible commercial appeal. Braxton cut her vocals using her lower register and Foster has stated he thought it was probably too low to be good. After some uncertainty, he followed fellow producer Babyface’s suggestion and kept it in that key. That final decision gave the song a good part of its magic and put on tape Braxton’s most sensual, effective performance ever. Another important factor to the song’s success is Foster’s brilliant production. He matched the singer’s gorgeous vocals with rich, multi-layered synthesizers plus a well-measured use of programmed percussions. He also enlisted Dean Parks to play the acoustic guitar. The veteran session master becomes the true co-star here; playing his tender phrases as a counterpart to Braxton’s vocals. R&B singer Shanice Wilson also appears on the track singing the background vocals.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/un_break_my_heart.mp3|titles=Un break my heart|artists=Toni Braxton]

Lead Vocals: Toni Braxton
Keyboard Programming: David Foster
Synclavier Programming: Simon Franglen
Acoustic Guitar: Dean Parks
Electric Guitar: Michael Thompson
Background Vocals: Shanice Wilson
Background Vocals Arrangement by L.A. Reid & Tim Thomas
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Don’t leave me in all this pain
Don’t leave me out in the rain
Come back and bring back my smile
Come and take these tears away
I need your arms to hold me now
The nights are so unkind
Bring back those nights when I held you beside me

1-Un-break my heart
Say you’ll love me again
Un-do this hurt you caused
When you walked out the door
And walked outta my life
Un-cry these tears
I cried so many nights
Un-break my heart, my heartTake back that sad word good-bye
Bring back the joy to my life
Don’t leave me here with these tears
Come and kiss this pain away
I can’t forget the day you left
Time is so unkind
And life is so cruel without you here beside me
(repeat 1)Ohh, oh
Don’t leave me in all this pain
Don’t leave me out in the rain
Bring back the nights when I held you beside me
(rpt 1)

Un-break my
Un-break my heart, oh baby
Come back and say you love me
Un-break my heart
Sweet darlin’
Without you I just can’t go on
Can’t go on

Everybody knows about “Unbreak My Heart”, the Toni Braxton/David Foster collaboration that has been on top of the charts for several weeks in 1996, being one of the biggest hits of both their careers, but sure not so many are aware of “Brown Baby”, a song that they did, always in 1996, for a very special project entitled “For Our Children Too”. It was one of the countless times that Foster dedicated his talent for a good cause, this time around being Elizabeth Glaser’s Pediatric AIDS foundation. Foster produced one song for Meryl Streep, in 1991, for the first cd entitled “For Our Children” while for its follow up he got a lot more involved producing half of the record. He produced new recordings for people like Cher, Celine Dion, Babyface, Faith Hill, Natalie Cole that along other big names like Elton John, Luther Vandross, Richard Marx & Seal sang songs dedicated to children. We picked “Brown Baby”, an Oscar Brown tune, covered, among others, by Nina Simone, cause it’s a stunning piece of music with lyrics that every parent can rely to. Braxton sings her heart out on this one, reminding us a little bit of the late, great Billy Holiday and this tells you how moving her performance is. David Foster at the piano and keys and Dan Higgins with his warm sax help her setting the mood with their outstanding talent. It is interesting to note that the last song of the cd is “Love Lights The World”, a Foster/Thompson original, sung by Celine with Peabo Bryson and Color Me Badd, that can only be found here or on the Foster solo record that has the same title.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/brown_baby.mp3|titles=BROWN BABY|artists=Toni Braxton]

Lead Vocals: Toni Braxton
Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
Saxophone: Dan Higgins
Arranged & Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Brown Baby Brown Baby
As you grow up I want you to drink from the plenty cup
I want you to stand up tall and proud
And I want you to speak up clear and loud
Brown Baby Brown Baby Brown Baby

As years go by I want you to go with your head up high
I want you to live by the justice code
And I want you to walk down freedom’s road
You little Brown Baby

So lie away lie away sleeping lie away singing
Lie away sleeping lie away safe in my arms
Till your daddy and you mama protect you
and keep you safe from harm
Brown Baby

It makes me glad you gonna have things that I never had
When out of men’s heart all hate is hurled
Sweetie you gonna live in a better world
Brown Baby Brown Baby Brown Baby