Hooking up w/ producer Michael Jay, Martika landed a deal with Columbia Records. Martika's self-titled debut album was released in the fall of 1988. But it wasn't until 1989 that she broke through in a big way. By January her debut single "More Than You Know" was a US Top 20 smash. Her second single, a haunting ballad about addiction, entitled "Toy Soldiers" spent 2 weeks at #1 in the US during the summer of 1989. Up next was a dance/rock version of the Carole King classic "I Feel The Earth Move" which would eventually score Martika her 3rd Top 40 US hit. This song as well as her previous singles also became huge hits all over the world by charting high in the UK, Australia, Japan and Spain just to name a few. A fourth single was released in Europe and Australia entitled "Water".
After the success of her debut, her label compiled a 4 song EP of Spanish language versions of 3 of her hits ("Water" was included as well but in it's bilingual original state). It was during this time that Martika would perform throughout many Spanish speaking countries, and was heavily promoted to the US Latino market.
During the fall of 1990, Martika returned briefly to acting playing Dahlia Mendez on the CBS drama "Wiseguy". Playing a sultry nightclub singer & girlfriend to the then new lead Steven Bauer, Martika turned heads w/ her sexy outfits & latin jazz standards sprinkled throughout the show. Much like her character's untimely death, the show also was cancelled after failing to catch on with viewers. Luckily for Martika all 4 of her episodes aired.
Martika followed up her debut (which eventually went gold in the US) with 1991's "Martika's Kitchen". Led by the first single, "Love...Thy Will Be Done", a prayer that Martika had written which would later be turned into a song by Prince, Martika would find herself once again on the charts. The song peaked at #10 in the US and was a #1 hit in Australia. Unfortunately a sophmore slump of sorts took its toll on what could have been a huge hit album. The 2nd single, a funky Prince penned and produced tune, failed to set the charts on fire and stalled at #98 in the US. However it did fare better in Europe making it all the way to #1 in Spain. A third single, the C+C Music Factory produced "Coloured Kisses", failed to chart in the US but was a modest hit internationally. Two more singles would see the light of day in Europe, a club only release of yet another Prince produced track "Spirit" made the rounds as did a 4th single "Safe In The Arms Of Love".
It was during 1992 that Martika would walk away from her music career. After a headlining stint at the Expo Sevilla in Sevilla, Spain, Martika walked off the stage and began a long hiatus from music. Rumors of her whereabouts would range from the weird to plain ridiculous.
During this time Martika wrote songs for several artists (Maria Nyler, Tevin Campbell, etc.) as well as lending her voice to several projects (C+C Music Factory's "Música es mi vida" and the Conga Club's "The Happy Song" to name a few). But it was not until 1999 that Martika would come out of musical obscurity by launching a website (the new defunct martika.net) and talk of a new album brought many fans out of the woodwork so to say. At this time several demos leaked on the internet and she even went as far as to release an internet only single "The Journey" available exclusively on mp3.com.
This brief return sort of came and went and it wasn't until the beginning of this decade that Martika would again return. This time as 1/2 of the musical duo Oppera. Along with her musical partner (and husband) Michael Mozart, the duo released their internet only debut "Violince". Since they have released a self-titled follow-up, opened for Pat Benatar.
In 2010 Martika, under the name Vida Edit, starred in the internet series J8DED along w/ her hubby Michael Daemon. The show is currently on hiatus.
Martika is currently working on her first solo album in 20 years. It will see her return to her dance/pop roots. Expect a fall 2011 release.
Also of note rapper Eminem sampled Martika's "Toy Soldiers" in his 2004 hit "Like Toy Soldiers", thus resparking some interest in this often ignored pop star. To boot, in 2007 British shoegaze/alternative rock band My Vitriol covered the song for their A Pyrrhic Victory EP.
Broken Heart
Martika Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't know where to turn, I was so in doubt
I had to find someone to hold, and I met my man
I loved him but I hated him too, his habit's so out of hand
I said, hey, can't you see what you're doing to me?
I gave you my heart, but you can set me free
Because I'm not in the mood to be apologized to
He said, please don't cry
Wipe those tears from your eyes
I will survive
I will see you through
He promised me he'd change
And then one day, a baby came
For the past nine months or so, I ain't feeling so sweet
They told me I had to behave myself, so I'd be healthy
I thought I did everything right, now everything's gone wrong
Our baby's got a broken heart, he ain't feeling so strong
My God, what did I do to deserve this from you
I don't think I've ever been so confused
I still feel the pain, even after the bruise
What should I do, tell me what should I do
He said, mama, don't cry
Wipe those tears from your eyes
I will survive
I will see my life through
Please understand
It was not in your hands
You do the best that you can
And I know your love is true
I'm not surprised that I feel so old
Sometimes existence can be so cold
I'll find the strength just to carry on
Am I destined to pay for my every mistake?
Will somebody tell me for how long?
Please understand
It was not in your hands
You do the best that you can
And I know your love is true
Please, don't cry
Wipe those tears from your eyes
I will survive
I will see you through
The lyrics of "Broken Heart" by Martika tell the story of a woman who falls in love with a man who is addicted to drugs and alcohol. She struggles with her feelings for him as she knows that his habits are harmful to her and their relationship. However, she finds solace in his promises to change and his support when she becomes pregnant. Unfortunately, their baby is born with a broken heart, leaving the woman feeling confused and helpless. She questions her own mistakes and wonders if she will be punished for them. Despite these struggles, the man continues to reassure her that he will survive and see her through.
The song touches on themes of love, addiction, and the challenges of relationships. The woman's internal conflict of loving someone who is harmful to her is a common experience among many people. Additionally, the theme of the baby being born with a broken heart can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically, as it can represent the struggle and pain that comes with bringing a child into a difficult situation.
Overall, "Broken Heart" is a powerful and emotional song that tells a relatable story of love and struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
I was only seventeen when my luck ran out
At a young age, I experienced a series of misfortunes that left me with no hope.
I didn't know where to turn, I was so in doubt
I was lost and uncertain about who to turn to or what to do.
I had to find someone to hold, and I met my man
Out of desperation, I sought comfort from a man.
I loved him but I hated him too, his habit's so out of hand
I had mixed feelings towards my partner because of his uncontrollable addiction.
I said, hey, can't you see what you're doing to me?
I confronted my partner about the negative impact of his addiction on our relationship.
I gave you my heart, but you can set me free
I expressed my willingness to let go of the relationship if it was necessary for my own well-being.
Because I'm not in the mood to be apologized to
I was not in a forgiving mindset at the time.
There's more to this life than your drugs and your booze
I reminded my partner that there's more to life than being dependent on substances.
He said, please don't cry
My partner tried to console me by asking me not to cry.
Wipe those tears from your eyes
He encouraged me to wipe away my tears and be strong.
I will survive
He promised to endure the difficulties and overcome them.
I will see you through
He vowed to support me through the hardships.
He promised me he'd change
My partner made a promise to change for the better.
And then one day, a baby came
Soon after, we had a baby.
For the past nine months or so, I ain't feeling so sweet
During the pregnancy, I did not feel physically or emotionally well.
They told me I had to behave myself, so I'd be healthy
Doctors advised me to follow certain guidelines to ensure my and my baby's health.
I thought I did everything right, now everything's gone wrong
Despite my efforts, things did not turn out as planned.
Our baby's got a broken heart, he ain't feeling so strong
Our baby is not physically well and is struggling.
My God, what did I do to deserve this from you
I questioned why life had to be so difficult.
I don't think I've ever been so confused
I was overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do next.
I still feel the pain, even after the bruise
The hurt did not fade even after some time had passed.
What should I do, tell me what should I do
I asked for guidance and clarity during this difficult time.
He said, mama, don't cry
My partner tried to reassure me by asking me not to cry.
Please understand
He asked for understanding and compassion.
It was not in your hands
He reminded me that some things were beyond our control.
You do the best that you can
He acknowledged that we did our best given the circumstances.
And I know your love is true
He reaffirmed his belief in my love for him and our baby.
I'm not surprised that I feel so old
The weight of my struggles made me feel exhausted and aged beyond my years.
Sometimes existence can be so cold
Life can be difficult and unforgiving at times.
I'll find the strength just to carry on
I decided to draw strength from within to keep going despite the challenges.
Am I destined to pay for my every mistake?
I wondered if my hardships were a result of my own mistakes in life.
Will somebody tell me for how long?
I wished for clarity on how long I would have to endure these hardships.
Contributed by Emma V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.