"You're Makin' Me High" is the lead single from American singer Toni Braxton's second studio album, Secrets (1996). The mid-tempo song represents a joint collaboration between the Grammy Award-winning producer Babyface and Bryce Wilson. The beat of the song was originally for singer-songwriter Brandy, with Dallas Austin pegged to write a lyric to override; however, Braxton had Babyface write lyrics for the song. It was ultimately issued in the United States as a double A-side with "Let It Flow", the airplay hit from the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale.
"You're Makin' Me High" became Braxton's first number-one single on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts; it remained on top for one week on the former and for two weeks on the latter, eventually going Platinum. A remix by David Morales with re-recorded vocals allowed the single to also top the Dance Club Songs chart for two weeks in August 1996. Another remix for urban markets was created featuring rapper Foxy Brown, called the "Groove Mix". A dancehall mix was also recorded featuring Jamaican dancehall DJ Mad Cobra.
Larry Flick from Billboard described the song a "sleek'n'sexy slice o' jeep funk" with a "sophisticated toned and rich production", as well as praising the song's chorus.[3] Peter Miro from Cash Box remarked that Braxton "oozes sensuality with her phrasing on “You’re Makin’ Me High”, mated to tight, cascading backup harmonies, and a crossover-capable baseline. She projects allure sufficient enough to perpetuate her sultry, waif-like mystique."[4] Alan Jones from Music Week declared it as "a nagging and surprisingly sprightly R&B workout", with the singer's "exceptional" vocals and deemed it "an obvious hit".[1] Damien Mendis from the RM Dance Update gave the song five out of five, writing, "Oh my gosh! The ever-reliable Babyface hooks up with Bryce Wilson of Groove Theory to create a definitive true R&B flave that'll leave you begging for more. Check the recipe: phat 'Tell Me'-style beats, Intro/Edie Brickell-ish guitar licks entwined with subtle bass and a floating eastern-sounding moog hook. Toni's effortlessly smooth vocal is textured beautifully with lushly layered backing harmonies. Delicious!"[5] In an retrospective review, Pop Rescue complimented it as a "wonderful mid-tempo song, making the most of the sultry vocals, slinky bass and beats." The reviewer also added that the backing vocals "sound great – adding an extra layer of warmth."[6] Richard Harrington from The Washington Post stated that Braxton "can handle airy, upbeat material", like "You're Makin' Me High". He explained, "With its sinewy synth-line, it has more of a West Coast sound than most LaFace productions, but the impression is more joyful than ominous. A celebration of sexual desire, it also includes a bit of erotic breathing and a coy masturbation reference".[7]
Music videoedit
The music video for "You're Makin' Me High", directed by Bille Woodruff, features Braxton and a group of friends (consisting of actresses Erika Alexander, Vivica A. Fox, and Tisha Campbell) enjoying themselves in luxurious surroundings. An elevator brings up a series of men, some very attractive and others amusingly unattractive. Braxton and her friends "judge" the men using oversized playing cards as score cards. Periodically, one of the women chooses a man to leave with. Braxton chooses Bryce Wilson, whom she dated at the time, and they are shown together in a bathtub of cotton candy and on a dance floor, with Braxton also shown wearing a white bodysuit. The music video premiered on MTV, BET, and VH1 on the week ending May 5, 1996.[8]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
^ abJones, Alan (July 6, 1996). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
^Billboard Staff (October 19, 2023). "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2024. High" is actually one of the defining slow-and-low songs of the '90s, Braxton's signature contralto burrowing deep into a crackling R&B groove.
^You're Makin' Me High / Let It Flow (US CD single disc notes). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records. 1996. 73008-24160-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High / Let It Flow (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records. 1996. 73008-24161-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High / Let It Flow (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records. 1996. 73008-24161-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High / Let It Flow (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records. 1996. 73008-24160-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High / Let It Flow (US cassette single cassette notes). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records. 1996. 73008-24160-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High / Let It Flow (US maxi-cassette single cassette notes). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records. 1996. 73008-24161-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High (UK CD1 liner notes). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 1996. 74321 39540 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High (UK CD2 liner notes). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 1996. 74321 39541 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High (UK cassette single sleeve). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 1996. 74321 39540 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High (European CD single liner notes). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 1996. 74321 38924 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High (Australian CD single liner notes). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 1996. 74321 38923 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^You're Makin' Me High (Japanese CD single liner notes). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 1996. BVCA-8810.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Secrets (US CD album liner notes). Toni Braxton. LaFace Records. 1996. 73008-26020-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"Toni Braxton – You're Makin' Me High". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
^"Billboard: Hits of the World". Billboard. November 16, 1996. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
^Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 51. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
^"RPM Year-End Dance Top 50". RPM. Retrieved October 2, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
^"Jaarlijsten 1996" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
^"Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
^"End of Year Charts 1996". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
^"Årslista Singlar, 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
^"Top 100 Singles 1996" (PDF). Music Week. January 18, 1997. p. 25. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
^"Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Retrieved August 27, 2010.
^"The Year in Music: Hot Dance Music Club Play Singles". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-44.
^"The Year in Music: Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-40.
^"The Year in Music: Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-45.
^"Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Mainstream Titles" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 30. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
^"Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
^"Billboard Top 100 – 1997". Retrieved August 28, 2010.
^"1999 The Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles of the '90s". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-20. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
^"New Zealand single certifications – Toni Braxton – You're Making Me High". Recorded Music NZ.