She has won 7 Grammy Awards. The RIAA named Braxton as one of the top selling R&B artists of all time.
She first burst onto the scene in 1992 on the Boomerang soundtrack, after Anita Baker turned down the opportunity. In 1993 Toni released her self-titled debut album, which stayed at the top of the charts for a year and was a critically acclaimed album.
Toni released her sophomore effort, Secrets in 1996 which also did very well on both R&B and Pop charts. From that album Toni got two #1 hits; "You're Making Me High "and "Unbreak My Heart", which spent 14 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard top 100, and was a worldwide hit. After 5 Grammy awards and a little break, Toni Braxton came back strong with her 2000 album The Heat. Though not as successful as her first two albums, The Heat went on to sell 4 million copies and spawned the huge hits "He Wasn't Man Enough"and "Just Be A Man About It".
Toni has released two further albums, 2002's More Than a Woman and 2005's Libra. Toni's sixth studio album Pulse was released in May 2010 via Atlantic Records. The singles "Yesterday" and "Hands Tied" were the biggest hits. Subsequent singles to be released from "Pulse" include "Make My Heart" and "Woman."
In January 2011, the WE Television Network confirmed that it had signed Toni and the rest of the Braxton family for a reality series, Braxton Family Values, which will be marketed as one of the network's flagship shows. The series debuted April 12, 2011, and looks at the relationship between Toni, her mother, and her four sisters; Trina, Tamar, Traci and Towanda — all aspiring singers themselves — along with the interpersonal relationships of each family member. The show also looked at Braxton's heavily publicized separation from estranged husband, singer Keri Lewis. Toni parted ways with her long time manager Vincent Herbert (who was also the husband of sister Tamar Braxton at the time), and signed a new management deal with Los Angeles-based entertainment/production company 'The Collective'.
In 2014, Toni released a collaborative album with Babyface entitled Love, Marriage & Divorce; primarily inspired by their individual divorces (Toni with Keri, and Babyface with Tracey Edmonds). The album was supported by the singles "Hurt You", "Where Did We Go Wrong" and "Roller Coaster"; and won Best R&B Album in the 57th Annual Grammy Awards (2015).
Toni's long-awaited eighth album Sex & Cigarettes was released on Def Jam in March 2018, which was supported by the singles "Deadwood", "Long as I Live" and "FOH". The album also featured a sole guest appearance from singer Colbie Caillat, and was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album in the 61st awards ceremony (2019).
Signing to Island Records in 2020, Toni released her ninth album Spell My Name in August 2020, featuring collaborations with H.E.R. & Missy Elliott. The album was released to positive reception, but was her lowest-charting album yet, peaking at #163 on the Billboard 200.
Maybe
Toni Braxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me boy what's it really gonna be
Spending time for a while
Oh daddy come close
I'm straight up feeling your style
I love the way you make me feel
When you keep it real
When you're holding me
Oh you look sexy when you're touching me
When you're bumping me gently
Sitting here waiting in my Vicky's
In the mirror imagining you're with me
Petit Cheri and I'm smelling real nice
and Jouet cold, chillin' on ice
Coming over at a half past ten
And I'm wondering if I'm really gonna let him in
Give in
Give it up
Let it go
Or tell him no, or
Should I give him some?
Maybe
Is this the night for fun?
Maybe
Check it out
So here it is, and he comes right in
And I fix us drinks
And I start to think
About what I'm gonna do
Will a brother be true
As he sizes my body up and down
Can he beat the odds
Can he play it safe
Will he make me hot
Will he hit the spot that I love a lot
Will he leave me hanging, lonely, desperately
Will he go and tell all his friends
That we did it and we did it again
Had me weak between the sheets
Will he say I was a real big freak
Maybe I should slow it down
Cool off my flow, relax
And let him know that if this gets out
No more, no glove, no love
Oh no, or
Should I give him some?
(I don't know)
Maybe
Is this the night for fun?
Maybe
Should I just give him some?
Maybe
Is this the night for fun
Maybe
Maybe
Pretty baby
Love me
Like a lady
Should I say yes or no
Should I just let it go
Should I slow down my roll
Let me think 'cause I really don't know
Don't know what to do about it baby
If I do will I regret it
Maybe I should just forget it
What about if he ain't got no dough
Tell me I should let him go
Maybe
Should I give him some
Pretty baby
Maybe, Maybe.
The song "Maybe" by Toni Braxton is about a woman who is contemplating whether or not to have physical intimacy with her partner. She questions if he is trustworthy and if it is the right time for this step in their relationship. The lyrics show her weighing the pros and cons of the situation, considering the potential risks and rewards. She is unsure of what to do, and the chorus repeats the word "Maybe" to emphasize her indecisiveness.
The lyrics highlight the inner turmoil and vulnerability that can come with making decisions about sex. The woman is concerned about being judged by her partner and by others if she chooses to give in to her desires. She also worries about possible consequences, such as a potential lack of respect or commitment from her partner if they do go through with it. These fears and doubts are common for many people, and the song provides a relatable narrative for those who may be struggling to navigate their own sexual relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Is tonight the night that you take control of me
I wonder if tonight will be the night that you have power over me and my decision making.
Tell me boy what's it really gonna be
I want you to be honest with me and tell me what you expect from me tonight.
Spending time for a while
We have been spending time together for some time now.
Oh daddy come close
Get closer to me, my dear.
I'm straight up feeling your style
I am really liking your unique way of doing things.
I love the way you make me feel
You have a special way of making me feel happy and loved.
When you keep it real
I appreciate your honesty and sincerity.
When you're holding me
I feel safe and loved when you embrace me.
When you're spooning me
I love being close to you and feeling your warmth.
Oh you look sexy when you're touching me
I find you very attractive and appealing when you touch me.
When you're bumping me gently
I love it when you gently touch me and tease me.
Sitting here waiting in my Vicky's
I am sitting here in my Victoria's Secret lingerie, waiting for you.
In the mirror imagining you're with me
I am picturing you being with me while looking at my reflection in the mirror.
Petit Cheri and I'm smelling real nice
I am wearing a perfume called Petit Cheri and I smell really good.
and Jouet cold, chillin' on ice
I have a bottle of champagne called Jouet that is cold and sitting on ice.
Coming over at a half past ten
You are coming over at 10:30 pm.
And I'm wondering if I'm really gonna let him in
I'm debating whether or not I should let you in.
Give in
I am considering giving you what you want.
Give it up
I am considering letting go and giving in to my desires.
Let it go
I am considering giving in and letting go of my inhibitions.
Or tell him no, or
I am also considering saying no to your advances.
Should I give him some?
I am questioning whether or not I should have sex with you.
Maybe
I'm considering it, but I'm still unsure.
Is this the night for fun?
Is tonight the night for us to have some fun together?
Check it out
Let me think about this some more.
So here it is, and he comes right in
You have arrived and entered my space.
And I fix us drinks
I make us some drinks.
And I start to think
I begin to contemplate my decision.
About what I'm gonna do
I am considering what action I should take.
Will a brother be true
I question whether or not you will be honest with me.
As he sizes my body up and down
As you examine my body, I wonder if you're just looking to use me for sex.
Can he beat the odds
I wonder if you're capable of doing what needs to be done.
Can he play it safe
I wonder if you're responsible and will take care of me.
Will he make me hot
I wonder if you will turn me on.
Will he hit the spot that I love a lot
I question if you will be able to satisfy me sexually.
Will he leave me hanging, lonely, desperately
I'm worried that you will leave me feeling lonely and desperate.
Will he go and tell all his friends
I am afraid that you will go and tell your friends about us.
That we did it and we did it again
I am afraid that you will brag about having sex with me.
Had me weak between the sheets
I'm afraid that you'll make me feel weak and vulnerable in bed.
Will he say I was a real big freak
I'm worried that you will label me as a promiscuous woman.
Maybe I should slow it down
I am considering taking it slow and not acting on my desires.
Cool off my flow, relax
I am considering calming myself down and relaxing.
And let him know that if this gets out
I am considering telling you that if you tell anyone about us, we're done.
No more, no glove, no love
If you tell anyone, we're no longer having sex and not even dating.
Oh no, or
I am concerned that you may not honor this agreement.
Should I just give him some?
I am considering having sex with you.
Maybe
I'm still unsure.
Pretty baby
I find you attractive and charming.
Love me
I desire to be loved and cared for by you.
Like a lady
I want you to treat me with respect and dignity.
Should I say yes or no
I'm still debating whether or not to have sex with you.
Should I just let it go
I am wondering if I should just forget about having sex with you.
Should I slow down my roll
I am considering taking things slow and not rushing into anything.
Let me think 'cause I really don't know
I am trying to make the best decision for myself.
Don't know what to do about it baby
I am confused and undecided about what to do.
If I do will I regret it
I am afraid of experiencing regret if I choose to have sex with you.
Maybe I should just forget it
I am considering not having sex with you after all.
What about if he ain't got no dough
I am concerned that you may not be able to provide for me financially.
Tell me I should let him go
I need someone to tell me to walk away from this situation.
Maybe
I'm still unsure about what to do.
Should I give him some
I am still debating whether or not to have sex with you.
Pretty baby
I am attracted to you and find you charming.
Maybe, Maybe
I am still not sure about what to do.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Missing Link Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TONI BRAXTON, KEITH EDWARD CROUCH, SAMUEL GAUSE, MECHALIE JAMISON, JOHN SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind