Secrets (Toni Braxton album)

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• Arista* Babyface
• Keith Crouch
• David Foster
• R. Kelly
• L.A. Reid
• Tony Rich
• Soulshock & Karlin
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Secrets is the second studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on June 18, 1996, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. The album was nominated for Best Pop Album at the 1997 Grammy Awards. Secrets has been certified eight-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Worldwide, the album has sold over 15 million copies. In support of the album, Braxton embarked on the Secrets Tour, playing dates in North America and Europe from August 1996 to October 1997.

Composition

The album's first song "Come On Over Here" is a "finger-poppingly upbeat", sultry groove track produced by Tony Rich. It was described as "a neo-Motown composition".<ref name="ew"/> The second track and lead single, the airily funky "You're Makin' Me High", was produced by Babyface and Bryce Wilson.<ref name="ew"/> It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.<ref name="cduniverse">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The third track "There's No Me Without You" is a romantic song.<ref name="rollingstone"/> The fourth track and second single "Un-Break My Heart" is a ballad written by Diane Warren.<ref name="unbreak-allmusic">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Warren played the finished song to Arista Records president Clive Davis, who thought it would be perfect for Braxton. With background vocals by Shanice Wilson and production by David Foster, the song spent 11 weeks at number one on pop radio stations and 14 weeks at number one on adult contemporary radio in late 1996.<ref name="unbreak-allmusic"/> It also won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1997.<ref name="cduniverse"/> It is a song of blistering heartbreak, as Braxton sings to her former lover, begging him to return to her and undo all the pain he has caused.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The fifth track "Talking in His Sleep" is about adultery.<ref name="rollingstone"/>

The sixth track "How Could an Angel Break My Heart" was co-written by Babyface and Braxton and features saxophonist Kenny G.<ref name="ew"/> Over a "lulling" ballad melody, the lyrics detail a lover's wayward behavior.<ref name="ew"/> "Let It Flow", included on the soundtrack to Waiting to Exhale, eventually became a staple of urban contemporary radio.<ref name="ew"/> The song is a sultry tune that requires the singer to reach down to her lowest register.<ref name="ew"/> On "Why Should I Care", Braxton ascends to a high, breathy croon,<ref name="ew"/> while on "I Don't Want To", R. Kelly provides the soft bump-and-grind sound,<ref name="cduniverse"/> in a song about a romance in denial,<ref name="ew"/> and "I Love Me Some Him" was written by Andrea Martin and Gloria Stewart and produced by Soulshock & Karlin.

Singles

The album's lead single, "You're Makin' Me High", earned Braxton her first number-one single on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. Its B-side, "Let It Flow", was an airplay success and was featured on the soundtrack to the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale. The second single, "Un-Break My Heart", became a commercial success worldwide, peaking at number one on the Hot 100 for 11 consecutive weeks, number one on the Hot Dance Club Play, and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, while topping the charts in several other countries. The third single from the album, "I Don't Want To", reached the top 20 of the Hot 100 and the top 10 of the R&B chart. Its B-side, "I Love Me Some Him", was a major airplay success domestically. The fourth official single, "How Could an Angel Break My Heart", which features Kenny G on the saxophone, became another top-40 entry in the United Kingdom, while failing to enter the charts in the US.

Critical reception

Template:Music ratings Secrets received generally positive reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic wrote that Braxton's "vocal talent is what unites Secrets and makes it into a first-rate contemporary R&B collection. Braxton is a singer who can cross over into the smooth confines of adult contemporary radio without losing or betraying the soul that lies at the foundation of her music, and her talent burns at its brightest on Secrets."<ref name="allmusic"/> Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly praised the "core Braxton/Babyface collaborations" on the album as "diverse, witty, and exquisitely modulated", noting Braxton's "technical range" and "ability to deliver SecretsTemplate:' sermons of sensuality—little gospels of good and bad loving—with unusual eloquence."<ref name="ew"/> Robert Christgau, writing in The Village Voice, stated, "The apprentice diva of the debut was modest, composed, virtually anonymous. I'll take the right It Girl anytime—especially one who insists on getting her props."<ref name="christgau"/> David Fricke from Rolling Stone commented, "As designer champagne 'n' anguish R&B goes, Secrets goes down nice and easy."<ref name="rollingstone">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Commercial performance

Secrets debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 (behind Metallica's Load) and at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 170,000 copies in its first week.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The album was certified eight-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 3, 2000,<ref name="RIAA"/> and as of April 2011, it had sold 5,364,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.<ref name="baltimoresun">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It sold an additional 927,000 copies through BMG Music Club.<ref name="bmgclub">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Canada, the album peaked at number four on RPMTemplate:'s albums chart,<ref name="CAN"/> and was certified septuple platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) on December 31, 1997, denoting shipments in excess of 700,000 units.<ref name="CRIA"/>

The album debuted at number 54 on the UK Albums Chart for the week ending June 29, 1996,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> before peaking at number 10 in its 30th week on the chart, on January 25, 1997.<ref name="UK peak"/> On April 1, 1997, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified Secrets double platinum for shipments of over 600,000 copies.<ref name="BPI"/> In continental Europe, the album topped the charts in Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland, while reaching the top five in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, and Sweden, and the top 10 in Ireland.<ref name="ultratop"/><ref name="DEN"/><ref name="IRE"/> In Oceania, the album reached number 11 in both Australia and New Zealand;<ref name="ultratop"/> it has been certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).<ref name="ARIA"/><ref name="RIANZ"/> By May 2010, Secrets had sold 15 million copies worldwide.<ref name="WW sales">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Track listing

Notes

• ^{Template:Note} signifies an additional producer
• ^{Template:Note} signifies a remixer
• ^{Template:Note} signifies a remix producer

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Secrets.<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

Musicians

• Toni Braxton – lead vocals, background vocals Template:Small; all vocals Template:Small; vocal arrangement Template:Small
• Tony Rich – arrangement, all instruments, background vocals Template:Small
• Marc Nelson – background vocals Template:Small
• Shanice Wilson – background vocals Template:Small
• Randy Walker – MIDI programming Template:Small
• Bryce Wilson – drum programming, keyboard programming Template:Small
• Babyface – keyboards Template:Small; guitar Template:Small; background vocals Template:Small; drum programming Template:Small; acoustic guitar, electric guitar Template:Small; synthesizers Template:Small
• Chanté Moore – background vocals Template:Small
• Jakkai Butler – background vocals Template:Small
• Reggie Hamilton – bass Template:Small
• Luis Conte – percussion Template:Small
• Jeremy Lubbock – string arrangement, string conducting Template:Small
• David Foster – arrangement, keyboard programming Template:Small
• Simon Franglen – Synclavier programming Template:Small
• Dean Parks – acoustic guitar Template:Small
• Michael Thompson – electric guitar Template:Small; guitar Template:Small
• L.A. Reid – background vocal arrangement Template:Small
• Tim Thomas – background vocal arrangement Template:Small
• Keith Crouch – arrangement, B3 organ, all other instruments, vocal arrangement Template:Small
• Sherree Ford-Payne – background vocals Template:Small
• Greg Phillinganes – piano Template:Small; Rhodes Template:Small
• Nathan East – bass Template:Small
• Kenny G – saxophone Template:Small
• Reggie Griffin – guitar Template:Small
• R. Kelly – arrangement, background vocals, all instruments Template:Small
• Soulshock & Karlin – arrangement Template:Small
• Andrea Martin – background vocals Template:Small

Technical

• Tony Rich – production Template:Small
• L.A. Reid – production Template:Small; executive production
• NealHPogue – recording Template:Small
• Leslie Brathwaite – recording Template:Small
• John Frye – recording assistance Template:Small
• Jon Gass – mixing Template:Small
• Babyface – production Template:Small; executive production
• Bryce Wilson – production Template:Small
• Brad Gilderman – recording Template:Small
• Russell Elevado – recording Template:Small
• Paul Boutin – recording assistance Template:Small
• Robbes Stieglitz – recording assistance Template:Small
• Bryan Reminic – recording assistance Template:Small
• "Bassy" Bob Brockmann – mixing Template:Small
• Kyle Bess – recording assistance Template:Small
• Brandon Harris – recording assistance Template:Small
• Richard Huredia – recording assistance Template:Small
• Ivy Skoff – production coordination Template:Small
• David Foster – production Template:Small
• Felipe Elgueta – recording Template:Small
• Mick Guzauski – mixing Template:Small
• Marnie Riley – mixing assistance Template:Small
• Keith Crouch – production, recording Template:Small
• Eugene Lo – recording Template:Small
• Booker T. Jones III – mixing Template:Small
• Jin Choi – recording assistance Template:Small
• Jon Shrive – recording assistance Template:Small
• Bill Kinsley – recording assistance Template:Small
• Brad Haehnel – recording assistance Template:Small
• Al Schmitt – string engineering Template:Small
• Glen Marchese – recording assistance Template:Small
• Larry Schalit – recording assistance Template:Small
• R. Kelly – production, mixing Template:Small
• Peter Mokran – recording, mixing Template:Small
• John Merchant – recording assistance Template:Small
• Frank Gonzales – recording assistance Template:Small
• Ron Lowe – mixing assistance Template:Small
• Soulshock & Karlin – production Template:Small
• Manny Marroquin – recording Template:Small
• Dave Reitzas – string engineering Template:Small
• Herb Powers Jr. – mastering
• Toni Braxton – executive production

Artwork

• Toni Braxton – creative direction
• Davett Singletary – art direction
• D.L. Warfield – design
• Nigel Sawyer – design assistance
• Randee St. Nicholas – photography

Charts

Weekly charts

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Weekly chart performance for Secrets

Chart (1996–1997)	Peak position
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)<ref name="DEN">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	1
European Albums (Music & Media)<ref name="BB-1997-01-18">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	3
Greek Albums (IFPI)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	2
Icelandic Albums (Tónlist)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	5
Irish Albums (IFPI)<ref name="IRE">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	7
Italian Albums (FIMI)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	15
Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	65
Malaysian Albums (RIM)<ref name="BB-1997-01-18"/>	7
Portuguese Albums (AFP)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	3
Spanish Albums (AFYVE)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	25

Year-end charts

1996 year-end chart performance for Secrets

Chart (1996)	Position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	11
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	12
European Albums (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	46
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	65
Swedish Albums & Compilations (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	25
UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	26
US Billboard 200<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	23
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	9

1997 year-end chart performance for Secrets

Chart (1997)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	36
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	11
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	19
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	30
Canadian Albums (SoundScan)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	23
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	10
European Albums (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	5
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	9
Swedish Albums & Compilations (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	51
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	6
UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	28
US Billboard 200<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	9
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	14

2000 year-end chart performance for Secrets

Chart (2000)	Position
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>The first list is the list of best-selling domestic albums of 2000 in Finland and the second is that of the best-selling foreign albums: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	110

Decade-end charts

Decade-end chart performance for Secrets

Chart (1990–1999)	Position
US Billboard 200<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	51

All-time charts

All-time chart performance for Secrets

Chart	Position
US Billboard 200 (Women)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	72

Release history

Release dates and formats for Secrets

Region	Date	Format	Edition	Label	Template:Abbr
United States	June 18, 1996	CD	Standard	Template:Hlist	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Germany	June 24, 1996			BMG	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Japan	July 10, 1996				<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
United Kingdom	July 15, 1996	Template:Hlist		Arista	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
	July 1, 2016	CD	20th Anniversary	Funkytowngrooves	<ref name="20th Anniversary Edition">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Japan	July 20, 2016			Solid	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>