"Break the Rules"
Single by Charli XCX
from the album Sucker
Released19 August 2014 (2014-08-19)
Recorded2014
Genre
Length3:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Charli XCX singles chronology
"Boom Clap"
(2014) 		"Break the Rules"
(2014) 		"Doing It"
(2015)
Music video
"Break the Rules" on YouTube

"Break the Rules" is a song by English singer Charli XCX from her second studio album, Sucker (2014). It was released on 19 August 2014 as the album's second single. In a 2020 interview with Red Bull, XCX stated that she regrets recording the track.[1]

Composition

"Break the Rules" (2014)
A 20-second sample of "Break the Rules", an electronic rock song.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Break the Rules" is an electro-rock and alternative rock song,[2][3] set against a "propulsive" synth-pop groove.[4] The song is written in the key of E♭ major in common time with a tempo of 124 beats per minute. "Break the Rules" follows a chord progression of C5–B♭5–A♭5–E♭5–F5, and Charli's vocals span from B♭3 to C5.[5]

Critical reception

Cosmopolitan listed "Break the Rules" at number five on its 2014 best songs list.[6] Ahead of the release of her 2022 album Crash, Consequence of Sound ranked the song as Charli's best,[7] which she disagreed with.[8]

Music video

The music video for "Break the Rules" was directed by Marc Klasfeld and premiered on 25 August 2014.[9][10] The video was filmed at Birmingham High School while class was in session, so the lyrics "getting high and getting wrecked" had to be muted during playbacks.[11] According to Charli, the video draws inspiration from films such as Carrie (1976), The Craft (1996) and Jawbreaker (1999).[10][12] It features a cameo from actress Rose McGowan, the star of Jawbreaker, as a school chaperone.[10]

Usage in media

The song was used in trailers for the 2015 film Goosebumps. It was also featured in the 2016 film Good Kids.[13] The song was also used in a 2016 Dish Network commercial and as the theme song of season 7 of Vietnam's Next Top Model. It is also used in both trailers for the 2020 film My Spy.

Track listings

  1. "Break the Rules" – 3:23
  1. "Break the Rules" (Tiësto Remix) – 4:25
  2. "Break the Rules" (Odesza Remix) – 4:00
  3. "Break the Rules" (Broods Remix) – 2:52
  1. "Break the Rules" – 3:23
  2. "Break the Rules" (Tiësto Remix) – 4:25
  1. "Break the Rules" – 3:23
  2. "Break the Rules" (Tiësto Remix) – 4:25
  3. "Break the Rules" (ODESZA Remix) – 4:00
  4. "Break the Rules" (Broods Remix) – 2:52
  5. "Boom Clap" – 2:49

Credits and personnel

Credits for "Break the Rules" are adapted from CD liner notes[18][19]

Recording locations
Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Break the Rules"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[47] Platinum 70,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[48] Gold 40,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[49] Gold 200,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[51] Gold 500,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Break the Rules"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Canada 19 August 2014 Digital download Atlantic [52]
United States [53]
Australia 10 October 2014 [54]
Ireland
[55]
United Kingdom 12 October 2014 [56]
Finland 17 October 2014 Atlantic [57]
Norway [58]
Sweden [59]
France 27 October 2014 [60]
Ireland 31 October 2014 Digital download (remixes)
  • Asylum
  • Atlantic
 [61]
United Kingdom 2 November 2014 [62]
France 3 November 2014 Atlantic [63]
Australia 21 November 2014
  • CD single
  • digital download (remixes)
 Warner [17][64]
United States 24 November 2014 Digital download (remixes) Atlantic [65]
Germany 16 January 2015 CD single Warner [16]

References

  1. ^ Cooper, Wilbert L. "A Conversation with Charli XCX". Red Bull. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  2. ^ Villa, Lucas (19 August 2014). "Charli XCX premieres 'Break the Rules' single, announces new album 'Sucker'". AXS. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  3. ^ Menyes, Carolyn (18 August 2014). "LISTEN: Charli XCX Drops Defiant New Single 'Break The Rules', Announces New Album 'Sucker' for October [AUDIO]". Music Times.
  4. ^ Wood, Mikael (2 December 2014). "Rising recording star Charli XCX brings her 'pop circus' to town". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Break the Rules". www.musicnotes.com. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  6. ^ Thompson, Eliza (1 December 2014). "The 50 Best Songs of 2014". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  7. ^ Jones, Abby (16 March 2022). "Charli XCX's 10 Best Songs". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  8. ^ Charli [@charli_xcx] (16 March 2022). "Agree" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Wilson, Ethan (25 August 2015). "Charli XCX "Break The Rules" (Marc Klasfeld, dir.)". VideoStatic. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  10. ^ a b c Lipshutz, Jason (25 August 2014). "Charli XCX's 'Break the Rules' Video: Watch The 'Boom Clap' Star Defy Rose McGowan". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  11. ^ Ganz, Caryn (12 December 2014). "Charli XCX: Up All Night With 2014's Breakout Pop Star". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  12. ^ Schillaci, Sophie (25 August 2015). "EXCLUSIVE: On Set With Charli XCX for Her Prom-Themed 'Break the Rules' Video". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  13. ^ Charli XCX (9 July 2015). ""Break The Rules" on the new Goosebumps Movie trailer..." Retrieved 15 November 2015 – via Facebook.
  14. ^ "iTunes – Music – Break the Rules – Single by Charli XCX". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). 19 August 2014.
  15. ^ "iTunes – Music – Break the Rules (Remixes) – Single by Charli XCX". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). 31 October 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Break the Rules (2track)" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Break The Rules: Schoolies Edition by Charli XCX". Sanity. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  18. ^ "Break the Rules" (CD liner notes). Charli XCX. Warner Music International. 2014.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules (2015, CD)". Discogs.
  20. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  21. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  22. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  23. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  24. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  25. ^ "Chart Search". Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Charli XCX. Retrieved 19 April 2016.[permanent dead link]
  26. ^ Charli XCX — Break the Rules. TopHit. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  27. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201503 into search. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  28. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  29. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  30. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  31. ^ "Chart Track: Week 42, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.
  32. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  33. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  34. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules". VG-lista. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  35. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  36. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  37. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  38. ^ "Charli XCX: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  39. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  40. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  41. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  42. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2015". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  43. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2015". Ultratop. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  44. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2015". Ultratop. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  45. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2015" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  46. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  47. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  48. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Charli XCX – Break the Rules". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  49. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Charli XCX; 'Break the Rules')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  50. ^ "British single certifications – Charli XCX – Break the Rules". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  51. ^ "American single certifications – Charli XCX – Break the Rules". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  52. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (CA). Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  53. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (US). Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  54. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". zdigital (AU). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  55. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (IE). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  56. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (UK). Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  57. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (FI). Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  58. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (NO). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  59. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (SE). Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  60. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX" (in French). 7digital (FR). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  61. ^ "Break The Rules (Remixes) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (IE). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  62. ^ "Break The Rules (Remixes) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (UK). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  63. ^ "Break The Rules (Remixes) (2014) | Charli XCX" (in French). 7digital (FR). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  64. ^ "Break The Rules (2014) | Charli XCX". zdigital (AU). Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  65. ^ "Break The Rules (Remixes) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (US). Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.

External links

Charli XCX
Authority control databases
Categories