Break My Heart
A vulnerable dance-pop anthem about fearing heartbreak while falling for someone new.
"Break My Heart" is a song by English singer Dua Lipa from her second studio album, Future Nostalgia (2020). Released as the third single on 25 March 2020, just two days before the album, the track is a retro-futuristic dance-pop and disco-funk song with elements of house and 1980s music, set to a Europop beat. Written by Lipa, Ali Tamposi, Stefan Johnson, Jordan K. Johnson, and Andrew Watt, and produced by Watt alongside the Monsters & Strangerz, the song interpolates the guitar riff from INXS's 1987 "Need You Tonight," leading to writing credits for Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence. Lyrically vulnerable, it sees Lipa questioning whether a new love will leave her broken-hearted.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Dua Lipa
- Album
- Future Nostalgia
- Released
- 25 March 2020
- Studio
- Gold Tooth (Beverly Hills); Oddities (London)
- Recorded
- 2019
- Genre
- Dance-pop; disco-funk
- Length
- 3:41
- Label
- Warner
Lore & Background
The song was written, tracked, and produced in one night at Watt's studio. The session started with all writers staring at a "disco" sign, and Watt broke the ice by playing Lipa a simple guitar riff he'd recorded on his phone. Lipa initially thought it wasn't for her, but after playing him half of her Future Nostalgia album, they began with the melody. Watt played a bass lick inspired by "funky music," which Lipa loved, and they synchronized the hook with the bass line. While listening back, they noticed a similarity to INXS's "Need You Tonight" and credited Farriss and Hutchence to avoid legal issues. Lipa admired how this "brought nostalgia even more to the forefront" of the album. Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers overdubbed live drums at the end of the session, adding a disco-funk feel over the existing programmed drum machine part.
Reader's Guide
Commercially, "Break My Heart" reached the top ten in twenty-one countries, including number one in Israel and number six on the UK Singles Chart. It peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song is certified platinum or higher in ten countries, including double diamond in Brazil, diamond in France, double platinum in Australia, and platinum in the UK. It received numerous award nominations, including Song of the Summer at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards and Song of the Year at the 46th People's Choice Awards. Several remixes by Jax Jones, Joris Voorn, and Moon Boots were also released.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which album features Break My Heart?
This track serves as the lead single from Dua Lipa's second studio album, titled Future Nostalgia. It was a crucial release that helped define her sophomore era and pushed the record to global success.
How did Break My Heart perform on the charts?
The single reached Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart upon its release. This commercial success cemented its status as a defining anthem of her sophomore era.
More in Songs & Singles
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