Battered But Not Broken

## Alternative Artwork

Duet at Midnight Version

"**Battered But Not Broken**" is a single released by music producer, television personality and label representative Kandi. It was released on October 14, 2022 through RCA Records as a single for the official soundtrack of the HBO Max series *The Midnight Man ™*. The song was written by Kandi in collaboration with The Weeknd and Steven McKenzie, and self-produced by Kandi.

## Background

In the summer months of 2021, Kandi began writing and recording songs for her first studio album *Downtown*. Thirteen songs made the final cut of the standard edition, while another four were released on the deluxe. A year later Kandi received an offer from successful singer and director The Weeknd regarding the soundtrack for the HBO Max original series *The Midnight Man ™.* As Kandi was already working on the series in both a personal and professional capacity under her production company Kandi Corporation, she was more than willing to hear the request.

The Weeknd asked Kandi if she would be willing to record a song for the deluxe edition of the soundtrack that could also be released as a single. Kandi was too busy at the time to write any new material, but chose to submit an unfinished song written for *Downtown*. The Weeknd and Steven McKenzie would write the remainder of the song before sending the final draft back to Kandi. Liking the changes that her co-writers had made to the track, Kandi sang and produced the song in her home recording studio.

### Artwork

As a thank you gesture for agreeing to release "Battered But Not Broken" as a single, The Weeknd arranged for a photographer to shoot the single cover with Kandi at her home - paid for by his own record label Roc Nation.

## Composition

"Battered But Not Broken" is a contemporary R&B power ballad with a pop-rock flair set in a moderate tempo. It is influenced by big screen movie classics such as Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You", Prince's "Purple Rain", Céline Dion's "My Heart Will Go On", and "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from *Dirty Dancing*. It details the hurt and pain one endures while dealing with the aftermath of their past struggles while showcasing the passion, strength and determination needed to move on from them.

## Release and Promotion

"Battered But Not Broken" was officially released as a single on October 14, 2022, as of one four singles simultaneously released from the deluxe edition of The Midnight Man ™ soundtrack. On October 9, 2022, The Weeknd, Demi Lovato, Troye Sivan and Kandi would announce all four singles on social media as part of a coordinated promotional statement.

### Remixes

Kandi announced a duet version of "Battered But Not Broken" with songwriter The Weeknd on her social media on the evening of October 18, 2022. The "Duet at Midnight" would release directly at midnight on Friday, October 21, 2022. "This Isn't About You" - an album track from *Downtown* - would serve as the B-side to this new version of the song.

## Commercial Performance

"Battered But Not Broken" debuted at the number nine position on the October 16, 2022 issue of the Billboard Hot Singles Chart with over 74 chart points, becoming Kandi's fourth song to chart within the top ten. After the release of the "Duet at Midnight" remix, the song slipped one position to number-ten the following week, while receiving a silver chart certification. On October 30, 2022, the song received both a gold and platinum certification for receiving over 150 and 200 chart points respectively. "Battered But Not Broken" was the 23rd best-performing single of 2022.

## Track Listing

***Digital Download***

***Digital Download (Remix)***