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Breakdown (Mariah Carey song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Breakdown'" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album 'Butterfly' (1997). The song features rap verses by two of the five members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. The song was released in January 6, 1998 by Columbia Records as the fourth single from 'Butterfly'. Similar to the treatments of the "Butterfly" and "The Roof", "Breakdown" received a limited worldwide release due to Carey's conflict at the time with Sony. The song's lyrics describe the emotions someone feels when their lover suddenly stops loving and leaves them, and the pain, or breakdown, it causes the person. The song was well received by contemporary music critics.
Due to the song's limited release, "Breakdown" did not chart in most major music markets, with the exception of Australia and New Zealand, where it peaked at numbers 38 and four, respectively. In the United States, due to 'Billboard' rules at the time, the song was unable to chart on the Hot 100, but charted at number 53 on the Hot 100 Airplay. In the accompanying music video, Carey goes through a variety of different colorful outfits, with matching make-up. Of the many changes, two scenes predominantly occupy the video. The first in Carey dressed in flamenco-style clothing, while dancing on a chair with two other female dancers. The other features Carey and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony gambling in a casino.
Background
Carey recorded the song at The Hit Factory in New York City throughout 1997. "Breakdown" was one of the first of Carey's album tracks to veer in a hip hop direction, and many were surprised when she contacted Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to record the song because she was considered more of a R&B/adult contemporary artist.
According to author Chris Nickson, "Breakdown" was an important component of 'Butterfly': "'Breakdown' showed Mariah treading forcefully into territory that was new for her and making it her own; it had a melody that simmered under her vocal and a groove that was irresistible." When Carey began recording the album, she had slow and sultry ballads such as "Whenever You Call" and "Butterfly," but also had big R&B and hip hop uptempo numbers like "Honey". For this reason, Carey recorded "Breakdown" in order to fill in the midsection of the album and serve as the album's "backbone."
Composition
"Breakdown" is a slow and sultry song which blends R&B and hip hop genres. It incorporates drum notes, including heavy beats and grooves. The song features rap verses by Krayzie and Wish Bone. As part of "layering the song," background vocals are featured throughout the chorus and sections of the bridge. It is set in the signature common time and is written in the key of E major. It features a basic chord progression of A-F-1. Carey's vocal range in the song spans from the note of B2 to the high note of F5; the piano and guitar pieces range from F3 to G5 as well. The song contains choral lyrics written by Carey, who produced the song's melody and chorus as well. Aside from assisting with its writing and chord progression, Stevie J and Puff Daddy co-produced the song as well.
A different edit of the song, "The Mo' Thugs Remix", features longer raps from Krayzie and Wish Bone and an intro and verse from Layzie Bone, who was absent from the original version. This version can be found on Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's compilation 'The Collection Volume One' (1998).
Release and label controversy
"Breakdown" was the source of controversies when it came to its release. Carey was having a conflict with Columbia Records over the singles choices, as they were already not happy with the album's hip hop transition.
Reception
"Breakdown" garnered general acclaim from music critics. David Browne from 'Entertainment Weekly' praised the song, writing "for most of the album she keeps her notorious octave-climbing chops at bay. Showing some admirable restraint, she nestles herself into downy-soft beats. In 'Breakdown', she demonstrates she can match the staccato, lite-reggae phrasing of her guests, two members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony." Rich Juzwiak from 'Slant' called "Breakdown" "the song of Carey's career," noting its "lyrical strokes as broad and obvious as they are naked. Mariah the chanter flawlessly adapts to their singsong style, largely boxing her multi-octave range into a sly, hypnotic melody so that when she really wails at the end, you really feel it. As with 'The Roof', Carey lunges toward musical maturity by embracing, not shunning hip-hop. This is the height of her elegance and maybe hip-hop-soul's, too."
Chart performance
Released as the third single from 'Butterfly' in 1998 in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia only (in Europe "The Roof" was chosen as the third single instead). Because of conflict between Carey and her record label at the time, it was only given a commercial release in Australia, where it performed modestly and remained in the top 40 for three weeks. A remix of the song was promoted to US radio stations and debuted on the 'Billboard' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in SeptemberOctober 1997. However, it wasn't released commercially in the US until April 1998, as a double A-side with "My All." It reached the top-five on the 'Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart as "My All/Breakdown." However, the song itself independently appeared on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and reached the top 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Rhythmic Airplay charts. In New Zealand, the single performed well, peaking at number four and being certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), denoting shipments of over 7,500 units.Even tho it wasn't released as a single in the UK the song charted with My All on the UK Singles Chart for 1 week peaking at 98 on 5.2.1998.
Music video
The accompanying music video for "Breakdown" (released in March 24, 1998) was directed by Carey with the assistance of Diane Martel. It sees her take on the role of various "casino girl" roles, including a cabaret girl, showgirl, cowgirl and lucky charm. The members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, except for Bizzy Bone, make appearances as well. In the music video, Carey plays her part as a cabaret girl, dancing on a chair accompanied by two other females. Other scenes include Carey playing a magician's assistant to Redman, as well as Carey in a main casino hall, where Wish and Krayzie Bone make appearances. While they gamble with a large crowd surrounding them, Carey lounges on the table and cheers for them.
Live performances
Carey performed the song live during her 1998 Butterfly World Tour. Throughout the performances, Carey wore a short beige outfit and long semi-teased up hair, accompanied by male and female dancers. During the song's act, Carey would slowly sway hand-in-hand with other male dancers, giving the illusion of sultry compassion. Carey performed the song a cappella in Chicago during her 2000 Rainbow World Tour. During her Adventures of Mimi Tour in 2006, Carey performed the song during select dates on the tour. The performance included many exotic female dancers, performing seductive pole dances and other similar routines. Carey, while singing, danced light routines on a chair, while wearing a red one piece suit. The song was also performed on select dates of Carey's 2014 The Elusive Chanteuse Show tour. It was also performed as part of the "Car Ride Medley" during The Sweet Sweet Fantasy Tour in Mexico and Hawaii and The Butterfly Returns in 2020.
Track listing and formats
;'US CD single'
# "My All" 3:51
# "Breakdown" 4:58
;'CD maxi-single'
# "Breakdown" (Radio Edit) 4:15
# "Breakdown" (The Mo' Thugs Remix) 4:58
# "Breakdown" (Album Version) 4:44
# "Honey" (Morales Dub Club) 10:58
# "Honey" (Mo' Honey Club) 7:23
;'Breakdown EP'
# "Breakdown" (Radio Edit) 4:17
# "Breakdown" 4:45
# "Breakdown" (The Mo' Thugs Remix) 4:57
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the 'Butterfly' liner notes.
* Mariah Carey vocals, writer (music and lyrics), producer
* Steven Jordan writer (music), producer
* Anthony Henderson writer (lyrics), vocals
* Charles Scruggs writer (lyrics), vocals
* Sean Combs producer
Charts
Weekly charts
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders!Chart (19971998)
!Peak
position
|-
|-
|-
! scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)
|align="center"|98
|-
|-
! scope="row"|US CHR/Rhythmic ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|13
|-
|-
|-
! scope="row"|US Urban ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|9
|}
Year-end charts
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"!Chart (1998)
!Position
|-
! scope="row"|US CHR/Rhythmic ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|68
|-
! scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ('Billboard')
|align="center"|24
|-
! scope="row"|US Rhythmic ('Billboard')
|align="center"|71
|-
! scope="row"|US Urban ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|71
|}
Certifications
Release history
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of release dates and formats for "Breakdown"
! scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date
! scope="col"| Format(s)
! scope="col"| Label(s)
! scope="col"|
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States
| January 6, 1998
|
| rowspan="2"| Columbia
| align="center"|
|-
| April 21, 1998
| CD
| align="center"|
|-
! scope="row"| Various
| August 28, 2020
|
| Legacy
|
|}
References
Further reading
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Category:1997 singles
Category:1998 singles
Category:Mariah Carey songs
Category:Bone Thugs-n-Harmony songs
Category:Music videos directed by Diane Martel
Category:Music videos directed by Mariah Carey
Category:Songs written by Mariah Carey
Category:Songs written by Stevie J
Category:1997 songs
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Sony Music singles
Category:Songs about heartache
Category:Songs written by Wish Bone
Category:Songs written by Krayzie Bone
Category:Contemporary R&B ballads
Category:1990s ballads
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