Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[2]
Rolling Stone[3]
Uncut[4]
USA Today[5]

Breakdown is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on October 5, 1999. A critical and commercial success, the album peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200, went Gold, and earned four Grammy Award nominations. A Limited-Edition version of the album was simultaneously released featuring three bonus tracks.

"Scarecrow" is dedicated to the memory of Matthew Shepard, and his family and friends. "Into the Dark" appeared in episodes of Haven and Night Visions.

Accolades

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2000 GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Music Artist Breakdown Nominated [6]
2000 Grammy Awards Best Rock Album Nominated [7]
Best Rock Song "Angels Would Fall" Nominated
Best Female Rock Vocal Performance Nominated
2001 "Enough of Me" Nominated

Track listing

All songs by Melissa Etheridge, except where noted

  1. "Breakdown" – 3:54
  2. "Angels Would Fall" (Etheridge, Shanks) – 4:39
  3. "Stronger Than Me" – 4:08
  4. "Into the Dark" – 4:59
  5. "Enough of Me" – 4:39
  6. "Truth of the Heart" (Etheridge, Shanks) – 4:31
  7. "Mama I'm Strange" – 4:29
  8. "Scarecrow" – 5:21
  9. "How Would I Know" – 4:15
  10. "My Lover" – 5:45
  11. "Sleep" – 7:10 [standard pressing] / 4:39 [Limited Edition pressing]
  12. "Touch and Go"* – 4:36
  13. "Cherry Avenue"* – 4:29
  14. "Beloved"* – 7:54

* Limited Edition bonus tracks

Personnel

Production

  • Producers: Melissa Etheridge, John Shanks
  • Engineers: Marc DeSisto, Greg Goldman
  • Assistant engineers: John Aguto, Tom Nellen, Geoff Walcha
  • Mixing: Bob Clearmountain, Tom Lord-Alge, Chris Lord-Alge
  • Mastering: Bob Ludwig
  • studio technician: Brett Allen
  • Art direction: Scott Denton Cardew
  • Artwork: Scott Denton Cardew
  • Photography: Barbara Green, Rocky Schenck
  • Hair stylist: Bernhard Tammé

Charts

Chart (1999) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[8] 15
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[9] 45
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[10] 20
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[11] 14
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] 38
US Billboard 200[13] 12
Canadian Album Chart[14] 6
European Albums (Eurotipsheet)[15] 73

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[16] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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