Pressured to meet Rhone's deadline for Brandy, Kipper suffered from a case of writer's block during the early writing process but eventually came up with the idea for a sweet, morose R&B ballad that deals with the aches of a teenager's first heartbreak.

A re-recorded duet version of the song featuring additional vocals from Boyz II Men singer Wanya Morris and produced by Danish production duo Soulshock and Karlin, was released as the album's fourth and final single in August 1995.

Norwood and Morris performed their version on numerous occasions, including the 1996 Billboard Music Awards, The Oprah Winfrey Show , and several other televised appearances.

[2] Requested by then Atlantic Records head Sylvia Rhone after hearing their work on "I Wanna Be Down" and "Baby,"[3] Kipper suffered from a case of writer's block during the early writing process.

"[6] The idea for a duet version of "Brokenhearted" originally came up while Norwood was on a two-month stint as the opening act on all-male vocal harmony group Boyz II Men's national tour in early 1995.

"[11] In his review for Entertainment Weekly, Dimitri Ehrlich wrote, "Featuring saccharine sentiments set to turgid arrangements, the seamlessly produced, soulless ballad "Brokenhearted" is something like Lawrence Welk meets Mary J. Blige.

"[12] Rylee Jackson, writing for The Nevada Sagebrush, called it another "example of a song with an excellent remix that has continued to be more relevant than the original.

Featuring Boyz II Men lead singer Wanya Morris, the track is the typical somber R&B slow jam, but also depicts the positive side of heartbreak [...].

"[13] Oprah Daily's Grant Rindnerfelt wrote that "Brandy said that she wasn't feeling particularly inspired the day she recorded "Brokenhearted," but you'd have a hard time telling as she stretches into her upper and lower registers with conviction and bounces off the booming, soulful piano.

"[15] Norwood reunited with Hype Williams, director of her previous videos for "I Wanna Be Down (Human Rhythm Hip Hop Remix)" and "Baby," to film a visual for "Brokenhearted.

"[16] Filming took place inside the Oheka Castle, a mansion located on the North Shore of Long Island, in West Hills, New York.