Break My Heart Again

"Break My Heart Again" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas. It was released by OYOY for digital download and streaming as a single on February 9, 2018. The song was later included on the deluxe edition of Finneas' debut EP, Blood Harmony (2019). An indie pop ballad, the song's lyrics address Finneas breaking up with his girlfriend through on and off texting. The song received mainly positive reviews from music critics, several of whom praised the music and lyrical content.

"Break My Heart Again"
Single by Finneas
ReleasedFebruary 9, 2018
GenreIndie pop
Length3:58
LabelOYOY
Songwriter(s)Finneas O'Connell
Producer(s)Finneas
Finneas singles chronology
"I'm in Love Without You"
(2017)		 "Break My Heart Again"
(2018)		 "Heaven"
(2018)
Music video
"Break My Heart Again" on YouTube

An accompanying one-take music video was released on April 18, 2019, and was directed by Sam Bennett. In it, the camera moves around Finneas as he sings about losing his loved one. The video received positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised its theme. Finneas performed "Break My Heart Again" as part of a 50-minute livestream for Verizon Communications in April 2020.

Background and composition

"Break My Heart Again" was released as a standalone single for digital download and streaming through Finneas' record label OYOY on February 9, 2018.[1] It was later featured on the deluxe edition of his debut EP Blood Harmony (2019), released on August 7, 2020.[2] The track was written and produced by Finneas.[3]

Critical commentary described "Break My Heart Again" as an indie pop ballad.[4][5][6] Chris Riemenschneider, writing for the Star Tribune, compared the track to the works of John Legend, calling it a "John Legend-style romantic piano ballad".[5] At the start of the song, a stripped back piano appears that accompanies Finneas' vocals. The sound of typing and sending messages is heard for the majority of the song: "Hey you/I'm just now leaving/Can I come around/Later on this evening?/Or do/You need time?/Yes of course/That's fine."[4][7] The lyrics of "Break My Heart Again" are almost entirely composed of real texts between Finneas and a former lover.[8][9] Finneas explained the texting in a statement: "The lyrics in the verses are basically verbatim text conversations I had with an ex-girlfriend. I thought it'd be cool to double illustrate that point so I added text and typing sounds to the production."[7] As the chorus begins, Finneas switches from talking about his interactions with his loved one to admitting his strong emotions and Finneas' voice starts to become layered.[4]

Finneas confesses to being constantly hurt by the one he cares about. He then admits it gets to a point where he's thinking his loved one is wrong for constantly hurting him. Finneas goes on to realize that he may be wrong for always allowing the former to hurt him, "So go ahead and break my heart again/Leave me wonderin' why the hell I ever let you in/Are you the definition of insanity?/Or am I? Oh, it must be nice/To love someone who lets you break them twice."[4] The bridge suggests that the singer is confronting his lover about their issues. Finneas is pressured as he admits that he thought his lover was "the one", but their actions revealed that all they can do is break up and their relationship is over for good.[4] Finneas then reveals they reunited five years later, and the song temporarily comes to a stop. The song starts over again, featuring piano and Finneas' vocals. He confesses that even though time has passed, his ex-lover is still the same. The chorus is then repeated, and stripped back heavier.[4]

Critical reception

"Break My Heart Again" was met with mainly positive reviews from music critics. Kasey Caminiti, writing for DuJour, labeled the song as "soft" and "relatable", while further mentioning that it "highlight[s] the insanity of millennial love stories".[7] Tanis Smither of Earmilk described the song as "raw" and "startlingly honest".[8] Music Connection's Dan Kimpel commended the lyrical content and melody of the song, which he viewed as "gorgeous".[9] For Atwood Magazine, Nicole Almeida cited the track as a "soothing song for the brokenhearted" and stated that it is "proof of [Finneas'] supreme supreme talent".[4] Shaad D'Souza of Paper magazine stated that "Break My Heart Again" is a "traditional-sounding ballad", and complimented the "masterful production work" while opining that the listeners should "stay for the twists".[6] Modestas Mankus, for Our Culture Mag, described the song as "purely emotional" and "simply stunning". He further noted that it is "an emotional and attaching piece that grows on you as it progresses with its subtle touches and its genuineness".[10]

Music video and promotion

A music video for "Break My Heart Again" was uploaded to Finneas' YouTube channel on April 18, 2019.[11] The video was directed by Sam Bennett and choreographed by Monika Felice Smith, while it was shot in one black and white take.[11][12] In the visual, the camera revolves around Finneas as he sings, "So go ahead and break my heart again/Leave me wondering/why the hell I ever let you in/Are you the definition of insanity?/Or am I?/Oh, it must be nice/To love someone/Who lets you break them twice."[8][12] As the video continues, Finneas begins to tug and pull his shirt, portraying how hard it is to let go of someone that you love. A stripped-back piano accompanies his singing, alongside the sounds of typing and sending text messages in the background.[12] The music video was positively received by critics upon its release. Smither described the visual as a "monochromatic canvas".[8] Writing for Alternative Press, Alex Darus called the video a "heart-wrenching black and white video that really put us in our feels".[11] Evelin Mercedes of CelebMix noted the visual for "creatively put[ting] a spin on the idea of meeting someone after experiencing heartbreak and fitting the lyrics perfectly".[12] In April 2020, Finneas "performed "Break My Heart Again" live during a 50-minute livestream for Verizon Communications.[13]

References
  1. Citations regarding the digital release of "Break My Heart Again" in various countries:
  2. Kenneally, Cerys (August 10, 2020). "Finneas releases deluxe edition of debut EP with new version of 'Let's Fall In Love For The Night'". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  3. "Credits / Break My Heart Again / Finneas". Tidal. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  4. Almeida, Nicole (February 8, 2018). "Premiere: Modern Love And Heartbreak in Finneas' 'Break My Heart Again'". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  5. Riemenschneider, Chris (June 1, 2019). "Hitmaker Billie Eilish's producer and only songwriting partner? Her brother". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  6. D'Souza, Shaad (August 7, 2020). "Sound Off: 10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now". Paper. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  7. Caminiti, Kasey. "Meet a Musician From a Family of Indie Darlings". DuJour. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  8. Smither, Tanis. "Artist to Watch: Finneas talks influence and production". Earmilk. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  9. Kimpel, Dan (July 17, 2018). "Songwriter Profile: Finneas". Music Connection. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  10. Mankus, Modestas (February 10, 2018). "Finneas presents 'Break My Heart Again'". Our Culture Mag. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  11. Darus, Alex (April 18, 2019). "Billie Eilish's Brother, Co-Writer Finneas Drops New Heartbreaking Song". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  12. Mercedes, Evelin (April 18, 2019). "Finneas Debuts Black & White Visuals For 'Break My Heart Again' Music Video". CelebMix. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  13. Ahlgrim, Callie (April 24, 2020). "Watch Billie Eilish perform hits like 'Bad Guy' acoustically and explain the meanings of her songs in an intimate, 50-minute livestream". Insider. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
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