Breakdown (Tantric song)

"Breakdown"
Single by Tantric
from the album Tantric
Released	May 21, 2001
Format	CD
Genre	Post-grunge
Length	3:10
Label	Maverick Records
Tantric singles chronology
Breakdown (2001) Astounded (2001)

"Breakdown" is the debut single by post-grunge band Tantric and the lead single from their self-titled debut album. It is the band's most successful song, having reached #1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks and helped the album achieve platinum status in 2001.

Lyrically, "Breakdown" describes a person filled with resentment and self-disgust. The music video, which found substantial airplay on MTV2, follows this theme and is based around high school. In combination with the band's acoustic-heavy sound, "Breakdown" also utilizes a digital effect at the end of the chorus. The tightly produced arrangement makes for a well balanced ratio of hard rock and pop.

Guitarist Todd Whitener came up with the song while sitting in an Amsterdam hotel. He described the meaning behind "Breakdown" in an interview with MTV:

"That song's pretty much about being pooped on and realizing that life is going to move on and you just have to keep your head high. Things will work out in the end, as long as you stay positive."

Appearances

The song was included on the soundtrack to the 2001 film Driven and The Shield: Music from the Streets in 2005. It was also featured on the Spin This, Monitor This!, and Noize compilations.

Charts

Year	Chart	Position
2001	Billboard Hot 100	106
2001	Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	1
2001	Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	4

References

Preceded by "Outside" by Aaron Lewis featuring Fred Durst

Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks number-one single March 31, 2001

Succeeded by "Duck and Run" by 3 Doors Down