"Walking on Broken Glass" is a song written and performed by Scottish singer Annie Lennox, included on her debut solo studio album, Diva (1992). Released on 10 August 1992, the single peaked at number one in Canada, number eight in the United Kingdom and Ireland and number 14 in the United States.
Background and composition
“Walking on Broken Glass” features a Caribbean-inspired piano line at the beginning of the song primarily, and also features within the chorus and at the end of the song, with a mirrored melody on pizzicato strings featured throughout the song. Pitchfork commented on the song: "Like so many Eurythmics’ best records, it takes an incredibly depressing concept—romantic abandonment—and maps it onto an irresistibly danceable tune".[2]Pitchfork praised the song, claiming it to have "harmonic overdubs".[3]
Lennox's songwriting on "Walking on Broken Glass" was hailed for using contrast to create an emotional intensity of a song and to "bring listeners into an emotional maelstrom" as argued by Margaret Jones. Jones further commented "not only do the lyrics create cognitive dissonance with the music; the music contrasts against itself from section to section. What begins as an upbeat, syncopated string part in C major during the chorus follows a deceptive cadence to a lush A-minor chord at the end of each verse. The sudden shifts in key, texture, and rhythm intensify the protagonist's desperation, moving from the determined action of "walking on broken glass" to the anguish of "since you've abandoned me, my whole life has crashed." This harmonic move happens three times in the song, each time gaining more intensity. In the final instance, the move to A minor shifts from being descriptive to making a plea: "take me from the wreckage, save me from the blast."[4]
The song was described by Andy Healy of Albumism as "whether it’s the upbeat calypso-meets-baroque sense of impending disaster expressed in “Walking on Broken Glass” or the trip-hop backed “Stay By Me” that pleads for understanding and acceptance, her voice remains sweet and intoxicating. In particular, the layering of the backing vocals, a Lennox Chorus if you will, offers such beautiful hues and richness that it envelops you and draws you deeper into the track. All delivered with a sense of empathy and unity at play".[5] “Walking on Broken Glass” was described as a "gloriously weird pop song with one of the oddest intros: prancing strings, strutting keyboards, and the enigmatic line". Pop Matters Magazine claimed that "all of that make the track sound like nothing else on pop radio in 1992".[6]
Critical reception
AllMusic editor Thom Jurek viewed the song as a "ubiquitous" hit.[7] Jennifer Bowles from Associated Press described it as a "more upbeat, mocking tune".[8] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that it is a "study in stylistic contrasts; retro-soul vocal musing glides atop a pristine, keyboard-and string-anchored modern-pop environment." He also deemed it a "sophisticated, complex respite from the color-by-numbers fare that crowds radio airwaves."[9] Randy Clark from Cashbox stated that the song "is pretty much straight up, but mature pop, and contains more shattered relationship lyrics (I wonder "why") backed by light percussion, piano, strings and an elaborate background vocal arrangement."[10] Stephanie Zacharek from Entertainment Weekly noted that "the jaunty, Caribbean-flavored "Walking on Broken Glass" (faintly reminiscent of Eurythmics' "Right by Your Side") is laden with sharp-edged metaphors for broken love affairs."[11]
Mike Ragogna from HuffPost wrote that Lennox "rolls out its words Joan Armatrading-style, proclaiming 'Every one of us is made to suffer, every one of us is made to weep.' Then, almost to prove the opposite point, she happily gavottes with the groove."[12] Dennis Hunt from Los Angeles Times named it the "highlight" of the solo debut album and "one of the best tunes she’s ever had."[13] A reviewer from Music Week called it "immediately and extremely commercial, with Annie's voice reaching up from a sea of strings. Polished and superior".[14] Kjell Moe from Norwegian newspaper Nordly stated that the song has "clear Kate Bush-references".[15] Pop Rescue said it is a "pretty catchy track", adding that Lennox' vocals and the backing vocals all "shine perfectly".[16]
Music video
The video for Walking on Broken Glass, showing Lennox
Directed by British director Sophie Muller, the music video for "Walking on Broken Glass" is based in part on the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons, and on period films dealing with the late 18th century, such as Amadeus. John Malkovich, who starred in the former film, is joined by Hugh Laurie, in garb similar to the early 19th-century dress he wore to play the Prince Regent in Blackadder the Third.[17]
The setting of the video is that of a salon evening at the Prince Regent's Carlton House. It presents an assembly of nobles and notables for an evening of society, gambling and dancing, the highlight of which is the arrival and feting of the newlyweds. The groom is played by Malkovich.
Lennox's character wears a royal red in an environment dominated by white, a costuming technique designed to draw attention to her, and sports a 'Turkish' headdress in an environment dominated by wigs of the period. She displays significant pique as she is emotionally wounded by the appearance of her former lover on the arm of his new bride.
Throughout the video, Lennox's character communicates conflicting emotions of jealousy, continued desire, and anger towards the man who still holds her heart. In the process, she spurns the previously welcome advances of the Prince Regent, much to his embarrassment, consumes glass after glass of champagne and grows ever more agitated, until she finally throws herself at Malkovich's character, to the shock and amusement of the partygoers. Lennox's character, realizing that she has made a fool of herself, flees the party in a fury, only to be swept into Malkovich's arms when she reaches the foot of the stairs.
Legacy
Slant Magazine claimed "Walking on Broken Glass" was "one of the most brilliant singles of the era". Walking on Broken Glass and its video cast a suspicious eye on the deliberate façade-maintenance of modern pop by playing up the same mixed signals that equips Diva with its power".[18]
“Fizol” by recording artist Stasio prominently features a sample of “Walking on Broken Glass”. [19]
