Break My Stride

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
For the song which features similar lyrics, see Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream.

"Break My Stride"
Single by Matthew Wilder
from the album I Don't Speak the Language
B-side"Break My Stride" (instrumental)
Released1983
Genre
Length3:04
LabelPrivate-I
Songwriters
  • Matthew Wilder
  • Greg Prestopino
Producers
Matthew Wilder singles chronology
"Break My Stride"
(1983) 		"The Kid's American"
(1984)

"Break My Stride" is a song performed by American recording artist Matthew Wilder. It was released in August 1983 as the lead single from his debut album, I Don't Speak the Language, and became a major worldwide hit single for him in late 1983 and spring 1984, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Cash Box Top 100.

The song has been covered by many artists throughout the years, including Unique II in 1996 and Blue Lagoon in 2004 (whose versions both charted highly in various countries) and, in interpolations, Puff Daddy with his 1997 hit "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" and Aaron Carter on the song "Stride (Jump on the Fizzy)" from his 2001 album Oh Aaron. In 2009, it was interpolated by Matisyahu in the song "Jerusalem".

Composition

[edit | edit source]

Industry executive Clive Davis signed Wilder to Arista Records in 1981 or 1982, but Wilder was not getting the results he or the producers wanted with finding the style of music that worked for him. Poor and near the end of a frustrating period with the record label, he self-financed the recording of "Break My Stride" in the early hours of the morning at the studio of producer Spencer Proffer. "My relationship with Clive Davis was precisely the impetus for my writing the song. There are lyrics in there that are indirectly referring to the circumstances that were governing my life at that point," said Wilder. They threw a party after the recording, and had the music production team sing the chorus, which can be heard at the end of the song. However, Davis did not see potential in the song or any of the others, and his label let Wilder go. Since Arista had not paid Wilder for any of the songs, he was free to shop them around.[5]

Wilder managed to connect with record promoter Joe Isgro, who had a history of doing legally questionable things to promote and chart certain songs. Isgro released "Break My Stride" off his new record label, Private-I, and created the illusion that it was a massive hit, prompting other radio stations to start playing the song, and propelling Wilder's single into the top 5 of the US Billboard charts.[5]

In musical notation, "Break My Stride" is written in the key of E-flat major with a tempo of 108 beats per minute. The song shifts to F major for the first two choruses and then G major for the final chorus.[6]

Chart performance

[edit | edit source]

"Break My Stride" reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four in the UK in January and February 1984. On the US Cash Box chart, Wilder's single reached the number two position, where it remained for two weeks in early February. A remix version reached the top 20 on the dance chart, and the song additionally hit the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, staying there for four weeks. Though "Break My Stride" was Wilder's only UK hit, he also reached the US pop chart with his next two singles, "The Kid's American" (number 33) and "Bouncing Off the Walls" (number 52), before turning to behind-the-scenes work on other artists' recordings.

Track listings

[edit | edit source]

7-inch single

  1. "Break My Stride" – 3:05
  2. "Break My Stride" (instrumental) – 3:05

12-inch single

  1. "Break My Stride" (Remix / Club Version) – 5:10
  2. "Break My Stride" (dub version) – 4:02

Personnel

[edit | edit source]

Charts

[edit | edit source]

Certifications

[edit | edit source]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[33] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[34] Gold 50,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[35] Gold 45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[36] Platinum 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] Platinum 600,000‡

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

Unique II version

[edit | edit source]
"Break My Stride"
File:Break my stride (Unique II).jpg
Single by Unique II
from the album Level II
ReleasedAugust 23, 1996
GenreDance
Length3:10
LabelDance Pool
Songwriters
ProducerUnique II
Unique II singles chronology
"Do What You Please"
(1996) 		"Break My Stride"
(1996) 		"For Tonight"
(1996)
Music video
"Break My Stride" on YouTube

In 1996, Austrian duo Unique II had its most successful hit by covering "Break My Stride". This version of the song was the first international success for the band, peaking at number one in Austria and New Zealand, as well as number two in Australia. The single also charted in Ireland, Italy, Canada, and Scandinavia.

Critical reception

[edit | edit source]

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Yep, this is a dance-leaning cover of the Matthew Wilder '80s pop chestnut. It has already saturated radio airwaves throughout Europe, with a number of programmers here already giving it positive feedback. Highly videogenic Viennese songbird Jade Davies chirps her way through the track's Ace of Base-like reggae-inflected groove with engaging energy. She'll have little to no trouble successfully carrying this one into the hearts of folks who prefer familiarity over adventure."[38] Australian music channel Max placed the song at number 903 on their list of the "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2013.[39]

Chart performance

[edit | edit source]

"Break My Stride" peaked at number-one in Austria and New Zealand. It also entered the top 10 in Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Ireland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at number 33 in September 1996. "Break My Stride" was also a hit in Israel, where it peaked at number six, and in Canada, reaching number 18 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks and number 19 on the RPM Dance chart. The single was awarded with a platinum record in Australia and Austria. In 2002, a new remix of the song peaked at number 55 in Austria.

Track listings

[edit | edit source]

CD maxi

  1. "Break My Stride" (FM Track) – 3:16
  2. "Break My Stride" (Prolongation) – 4:57
  3. "Break My Stride" (Native Track) – 5:14

CD maxi – The Remixes

  1. "Break My Stride" (Marc McCan edit) – 5:38
  2. "Break My Stride" (Next Level edit) – 4:37
  3. "Break My Stride" (radio edit) – 3:16

CD maxi – Re-Work 2002

  1. "Break My Stride" (Panamericana radio edit) – 2:50
  2. "Break My Stride" (extended version) – 4:57
  3. "Break My Stride" (Big club mix) – 4:20
  4. "Break My Stride" (original) – 3:16

Charts

[edit | edit source]

Certifications

[edit | edit source]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[53] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[54] Platinum 50,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Blue Lagoon version

[edit | edit source]
"Break My Stride"
File:Break my stride.jpg
Single by Blue Lagoon
from the album Club Lagoon
B-side"Love Is the Key"
ReleasedAugust 9, 2004
Length3:04
Label
Songwriters
ProducerFelix J. Gauder
Blue Lagoon singles chronology
"Break My Stride"
(2004) 		"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me"
(2005)

In 2004, "Break My Stride" was covered by German band Blue Lagoon and became a hit in several European countries, including Austria, Germany, Sweden and Denmark, where it reached the top ten.

Track listings

[edit | edit source]

CD single

  1. "Break My Stride" (radio edit) – 3:04
  2. "Break My Stride" (extended version) – 5:10
  3. "Love Is the Key" – 3:27

CD maxi

  1. "Break My Stride" (radio edit) – 3:01
  2. "Break My Stride" (extended version) – 5:08
  3. "Love Is the Key" – 3:26
  4. "Break My Stride" (a capella reprise) – 1:05
  5. "Break My Stride" (video)

Charts

[edit | edit source]

Weekly charts

[edit | edit source]
Chart (2004–2005) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[55] 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[56] 49
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[57] 1
Denmark (Tracklisten)[58] 10
France (SNEP)[59] 18
Germany (GfK)[60] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[61] 45
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[62] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[63] 15
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[64] 75

Year-end charts

[edit | edit source]
Chart (2004) Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[65] 75
Germany (Media Control GfK)[66] 16

Certifications

[edit | edit source]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI)[67] Gold 150,000^
Sweden (GLF)[68] Gold 10,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

[edit | edit source]

The song serves as the closing credits music for the 2011 film Cedar Rapids.[69] It was featured in a 2012 television commercial for State Insurance of New Zealand.[70] In 2019, it was featured in a U.S. television commercial for Santander Bank.[71]

The song gained more notoriety in 2020 on TikTok, as it was frequently used in TikTok videos – where users would text their friends the lyrics of the song. Matthew Wilder was thrilled at these memes, saying that the results are often bizarre but hilarious.[72] Afterwards, Wilder posted an official lyric video that featured text messages of the song's lyrics.[73]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ^ "Break My Stride", Austrian Singles Chart Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  9. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ^ "Break My Stride", Dutch Singles Chart Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (Retrieved July 27, 2011)
  12. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ^ "Break My Stride", New Zealand Singles Chart Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (Retrieved July 27, 2011)
  14. ^ "Break My Stride", Norwegian Singles Chart Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  15. ^ "Break My Stride", Swedish Singles Chart [1] (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  16. ^ "Break My Stride", Swiss Singles Chart Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  17. ^ "Break My Stride", UK Singles Chart Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  18. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  19. ^ "Break My Stride", US Hot AC [2] (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  20. ^ "Break My Stride", US Hot Black Singles [3] Archived April 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  21. ^ "Break My Stride", US Hot Dance [4] Archived April 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  22. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  23. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  24. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Matt Wilder – Break My Stride" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  25. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 05. týden 2020 in the date selector. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  26. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  27. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  28. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  29. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  30. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  31. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  32. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  33. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  34. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  35. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  36. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). Type Break My Stride in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  37. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  38. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  39. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  40. ^ "Unique II – Break My Stride". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  41. ^ a b "Unique II – Break My Stride" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  42. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3260." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  43. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3253." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  44. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3317." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  45. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  46. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  47. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  48. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Break My Stride". Irish Singles Chart.
  49. ^ "Unique II – Break My Stride". Top 40 Singles.
  50. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  51. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  52. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  53. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  54. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  55. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  56. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  57. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride" (in French). Ultratip.
  58. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride". Tracklisten.
  59. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride" (in French). Le classement de singles.
  60. ^ "Bluelagoon – Break My Stride" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  61. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  62. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride". Singles Top 100.
  63. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride". Swiss Singles Chart.
  64. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  65. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  66. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  67. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  68. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  69. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  70. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  71. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  72. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  73. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Lua error in Module:Authority_control at line 153: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

Retrieved from "http://70.231.62.181/index.php?title=Break_My_Stride&oldid=12009834"