"Break My Heart (You Really)" was released in most territories as a Double A-side with "Heroine", which according to Siobhan Fahey was to "give a more rounded picture of what I'm about".

[2] "Break My Heart (You Really)" was released as the debut single of Shakespears Sister, the name Siobhan Fahey adopted for her solo career following her departure from Bananarama in 1988.

On stage, Fahey sings the song, as various carnival performers – including a juggler, a contortionist, a strongman, a fire eater, dancers, and more – appear alongside her.

[4] Chris Heath of Smash Hits commented that it "sounds as if it's supposed to be like one of those huge Dead or Alive hi-energy stompers, except that Siobhan sings in a rather unattractive spook-voice".

He also felt that, in contrast to Bananarama's material "where every second was packed with syrupy melody", Fahey's debut single "has the beef but no tune".