How Could An Angel Break My Heart is a ballad written by Diane Warren and performed by Toni Braxton. The song was released in 1996 from Braxton's second studio album, Secrets. The song tells the story of a heartbroken person trying to come to terms with a lost love. The lyrics are emotional and relatable, making it a hit for Braxton and a favorite among fans.
Verse 1
I heard he sang a lullaby
I heard he sang it from his heart
When I found out thought I would die
Because that lullaby was mine
The song starts with a hint of pain in the lyrics. It talks about a beautiful lullaby that used to be hers, but now she can hear her ex-lover singing it in his own way. The imagery that is evoked when the singer describes the song as "mine" makes the listener feel the intense emotions of fear, struggle, and despair, which the singer is experiencing.
Chorus
How could an angel break my heart?
Why didn't he catch my falling star?
I wish I didn't wish so hard
Maybe I wished our love apart
The lyrics of the chorus express the singer's heartbreak clearly. She is pointing out the fact that she was devastated and unable to comprehend how an angel, presumably her lover, could break her heart so easily. The use of metaphors, like the "falling star," and the repetition of the question in the first and the second line bring out the feelings of desperation to find answers to her heartbreak.
Verse 2
How could an angel break my heart?
Why didn't he catch my falling star?
I wish I didn't wish so hard
Maybe I wished our love apart
In the second verse, the lyrics become more poignant. Braxton draws a picture of the emptiness after the breakup. She sings about how she wishes she had never wished too hard for something that wasn't meant to be. The repetition of the chorus shows the deep sense of loss that the singer is feeling.
Bridge
How could an angel break my heart?
Oh, my soul is dying, it's crying
I'm trying to understand
Please help me
The bridge portrays the real pain behind the breakup. Braxton reaches out to the "angel" to understand the reason behind the heartbreak. The pleading tone in her voice, accompanied by lyrics that express her agony vividly, makes you feel her pain. She describes how she is struggling with the thought of losing someone she loved and how it is affecting her soul.
Conclusion
The heart-wrenching ballad by Toni Braxton, How Could an Angel Break My Heart is a classic song that still resonates with people today. The lyrics portray the depth of pain that someone can experience when they lose a loved one. The song is a relatable and emotional masterpiece that encapsulates the feelings of despair, pain, and heartbreak when someone we love walks out of our lives.
