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.
if You Dream
Toni Braxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All I've known is empty promises and pain
I need a way out or some type of escape
So I take refuge in this place
Even though the road to glory seems long
The fire in me could win a marathon
Believe there's nothing you can't overcome
If you dream, then you can do anything
If you dream, you're halfway to destiny
If you dream, dream the impossible
If you dream, cause a dream's unstoppable
I could've gave up a long time ago
Though the door I need to get through will always close
Storms and Rain everywhere I go
But I don't give up cause I know
Even if they say you just can't win
Believe you can go where you've never been
And you can fly high with the strength of all your friends
If you dream, then you can do anything
If you dream, you're halfway to destiny
If you dream, dream the impossible
If you dream,
cause a dream's unstoppable
Dream
That you can fly,
Dream
That you can climb
Dream
A mountain, all you gotta do is just
Dream
That you can win,
Dream
With Confidence
Dream
To the very end cause dreamers become champions
Dream
Until it's real,
Dream,
Don't let them kill your
Dream
The fight still is in you, all you gotta do is
Dream,
Just keep the faith,
Dream,
Don't ever break
Don't let it slip away cause all you gotta do
Even though the road to glory seems long
The fire in me could win a marathon
Believe there's nothing you can't overcome
If you dream, then you can do anything
If you dream, you're halfway to destiny
If you dream, dream the impossible
Dream, then you can do anything
Dream, you're halfway to destiny
Dream, dream's unstoppable
Dream, dream, dream
Dream, dream, dream
Dream, dream, dream
Dream, dream, dream
In Toni Braxton's song "If You Dream," the lyrics convey a message of hope and resilience. The song speaks to the struggles and hardships the singer has experienced in life. The opening lines express a feeling of despair and disappointment, with the sun symbolizing happiness and positivity. Despite the singer's history of broken promises and pain, she longs for an escape and finds solace in her dreams.
The lyrics highlight the power of dreams and the ability to overcome obstacles. The singer believes that even though the path to success may seem long, the fire within her will keep her going. She encourages listeners to believe in themselves and their dreams, emphasizing that nothing is impossible if you have the courage to dream. The repetition of the phrase "If you dream, then you can do anything" emphasizes the transformative and empowering nature of dreaming.
The song also acknowledges the presence of challenges and setbacks along the way. The references to storms and rain symbolize the difficulties faced on the journey towards fulfilling one's dreams. However, the singer remains resilient, refusing to give up. Even if others doubt her abilities, she urges herself and others to believe in their potential. The lyrics suggest that with the support and strength of friends, one can soar to great heights.
Overall, "If You Dream" is an optimistic anthem that encourages listeners to hold onto their dreams and chase them relentlessly. It promotes perseverance, resilience, and the belief in the power of dreams to create a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought the sun would shine my way
I never expected to find happiness or success in my life.
All I've known is empty promises and pain
I have experienced disappointment and suffering, with no real fulfillment.
I need a way out or some type of escape
I desire an opportunity to break free from my current circumstances.
So I take refuge in this place
I find solace and comfort in this particular sanctuary or state of mind.
Even though the road to glory seems long
Although achieving greatness may seem difficult and distant.
The fire in me could win a marathon
The passion and determination within me are strong enough to excel and overcome any obstacle.
Believe there's nothing you can't overcome
Have faith that there are no challenges you cannot conquer.
If you dream, then you can do anything
Having aspirations and ambitions empowers you to achieve greatness.
If you dream, you're halfway to destiny
Merely having dreams sets you on a path towards fulfilling your true purpose.
If you dream, dream the impossible
Allow yourself to envision and pursue goals that may seem unimaginable to others.
If you dream, cause a dream's unstoppable
Once you embrace your dreams, they become unstoppable in their pursuit and realization.
I could've gave up a long time ago
There were countless moments where I could have abandoned my aspirations and surrendered.
Though the door I need to get through will always close
The opportunities I require to progress may constantly elude me.
Storms and Rain everywhere I go
Difficulties and challenges follow me wherever I may find myself.
But I don't give up cause I know
I refuse to surrender because I understand the significance of perseverance.
Even if they say you just can't win
Even if others doubt your ability to succeed or prevail.
Believe you can go where you've never been
Maintain faith in your capacity to explore uncharted territories and achieve new heights.
And you can fly high with the strength of all your friends
With the support and encouragement of your loved ones, you can soar to great heights.
Dream
That you can fly,
Dream
That you can climb
Dream
A mountain, all you gotta do is just
Dream
That you can win,
Dream
With Confidence
Dream
To the very end cause dreamers become champions
Dream
Until it's real,
Dream,
Don't let them kill your
Dream
The fight still is in you, all you gotta do is
Dream,
Just keep the faith,
Dream,
Don't ever break
Don't let it slip away cause all you gotta do
Imagine that you have the ability to soar through the sky and conquer any obstacle. Picture yourself scaling a mountain effortlessly. Believe that you are capable of achieving victory with unwavering assurance. Keep dreaming until your aspirations become reality. Refuse to let others discourage or extinguish your dreams. Remember that the fighting spirit exists within you, all you need to do is dream and maintain faith. Never succumb to despair or relinquish your dreams, as they are within your grasp.
Dream, dream, dream
Hold onto your dreams and let them flourish.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DURRELL BABBS, LONNIE N BEREAL, T. N JONES, HARVEY N MASON, ROBERT N NEWT, KRIS N STEVENS, N TEX, J. N VALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind