Un-Break My Heart
On May 16, 2025, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay delivered a passionate and hauntingly beautiful performance of “Un-Break My Heart” by Toni Braxton, accompanied by the ever-expressive Kevin Wu on piano, during their concert “Tyler’s Suite / I Love the 90’s”, at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. This unforgettable rendition of one of the most iconic heartbreak ballads of the 1990s showcased the chorus’s ability to combine raw emotion with musical precision, creating a deeply affecting moment of collective reflection.
Originally released in 1996, “Un-Break My Heart” became a global sensation and signature hit for Toni Braxton, known for its sweeping melody, dramatic vocal range, and themes of grief, longing, and the aching desire to reverse loss. In LGBTQ+ circles, the song resonates on multiple levels—not just as a tale of romantic devastation, but as a broader anthem of mourning, resilience, and the unspoken ache of love that is silenced, erased, or unreturned.
In this performance, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay reimagined the solo-driven classic as a powerful choral lament. With carefully blended harmonies and expressive phrasing, the ensemble gave voice to the universal experience of heartbreak—not only in love, but in life’s many forms of loss. Each phrase seemed to breathe, drawing the audience into a space of shared vulnerability and emotional release.
Kevin Wu’s piano accompaniment was central to the atmosphere. His delicate yet commanding touch brought out the drama in every chord, echoing the rise and fall of emotion embedded in the original song. The piano swelled and receded like waves of sorrow, supporting the vocal textures with both restraint and intensity.
Presented in the inclusive and acoustically rich sanctuary of Allendale United Methodist Church, the performance took on an almost sacred quality. As the voices of the chorus filled the space, there was a sense of reverence—not just for the music, but for the emotional truth it carried. The moment stood as a quiet but powerful reminder that choral music has the ability to not only uplift and celebrate but also to hold space for sadness, healing, and catharsis.
In the broader arc of the evening—beginning with the emotionally powerful Tyler’s Suite, and evolving into a celebration of 1990s pop culture—“Un-Break My Heart” served as a bridge between reflection and release. It honored the emotional complexities of queer experience: the losses we carry, the love we fight for, and the healing power of being seen, heard, and held in community.
More than a cover of a chart-topping hit, this performance was a musical embrace—inviting the audience to feel deeply, remember fully, and, perhaps, begin to un-break their own hearts.