"Damaged" is a 2003 R&B

Contemporary R&B

Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...

 song written by Dallas Austin

Dallas Austin

Dallas Austin is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of his most notable clients include Michael Jackson, TLC, Boyz II Men, Pink, Monica, Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Stacie Orrico, Another Bad Creation, Fishbone, Sugababes, Anastacia, Namie Amuro, Kim...

 and Tionne Watkins

Tionne Watkins

Tionne Tenese Watkins better known by her stage name T-Boz, is a four-time Grammy Award–winning American singer, actress, author, and executive producer who rose to fame as the lead singer and one-third of the R&B/hip-hop girl group TLC.-Early life:Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins was born in Des Moines,...

, and was the third single released from TLC

TLC (band)

TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...

's fourth studio album 3D (2002). The song peaked at #53 on the Billboard Hot 100

Billboard Hot 100

The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...

. The lyrics of the song talk about being free and freedom from hurt and pain.

Music video

In the video for the song, a young woman (played by actress Justina Machado

Justina Machado

Justina Machado is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Vanessa Diaz in the HBO drama series Six Feet Under.-Early life:...

) works two jobs to support her family. One day she comes home and finds her boyfriend in bed with another girl. After confronting him, he hits her. She then finds herself stuck in an abusive relationship as well as trying to look after her child. She finds herself torn and unsure of what to do, eventually literally falling to pieces at the end of the video as she crumbles into hundreds of tiny jigsaw puzzle pieces.
It shows other "damaged" women falling to pieces. The lead woman is shown to be put back together by her daughter, and she's happy now.

Formats and track listings

German CD single (51969)

1. "Damaged" – 3:51
2. "Hands Up" (Richard X Extended Remix) – 4:37
3. "Hands Up" (Richard X Radio Remix) – 3:50
4. "Hands Up" (So So Def Remix Radio Mix)
5. "Hands Up" (video) – 4:01

US promo single

1. "Damaged" – 3:51
2. "Damaged" (instrumental) – 3:51

Charts

• These are the peak positions from chart providers.

  Chart (2003)	Peak position
  U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...	53
  New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart	21