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Breaking the Girl

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"Breaking the Girl"
Song
B-side"Fela's Cock"
"Breaking the Girl"
Song

"Breaking the Girl" is a single released by the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1992, taken from the 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. It is a melodic and emotional ballad that refers to a turbulent relationship between frontman Anthony Kiedis and his then girlfriend - Carmen Hawk, and their subsequent break-up shortly before the recording of Blood Sugar Sex Magik began. It appears on the album as the third track, notably between two groove-laden funk numbers "If You Have to Ask" and "Funky Monks". The bridge of the song makes unique and heavy use of what sounds like an array of strange percussion instruments, which were actually just various pieces of debris taken by drummer Chad Smith from a junkyard for himself, Anthony and Flea to utilize (the same technique was used in "Hump de Bump"). The song also makes notable use of a Mellotron, using the flute patch, creating a soothing yet purposeful tone. It is also the first and only song recorded by the band to be in the 6/8 time signature.

The music video was released in 1992 and was directed by Stéphane Sednaoui, who had previously made the classic video for the Chili Peppers' "Give It Away". While that video was considered weird, "Breaking the Girl" takes it to the next level. It makes heavy, experimental use of vibrant colors, with the background and costumes changing constantly. The Chilis themselves also adopt surreal appearances and behaviour, with Anthony for example having an overall Princess Leia-esque look, complete with robes and a "donut" hairstyle. The "Breaking the Girl" video is one of the only Peppers videos to feature Arik Marshall (who briefly acted as a replacement for guitarist John Frusciante) though he didn't play on the track - the other video being for "If You Have to Ask". The video also features a brief cameo by River Phoenix, who was good friends with members of the band.

The song was put on their Greatest Hits compilation, but the music video was not put on the DVD. The most likely explanation is that it featured Arik Marshall.

"Breaking the Girl" is the first melodic 'ballad' to appear on a Red Hot Chili Peppers album, unless one includes the 30-second-long interlude "Lovin' and Touchin'" on Freaky Styley, the instrumental "Pretty Little Ditty", or the power ballad of sorts, "Knock Me Down", both featured on the Mother's Milk album.

Track list

CD single (1991)

  1. "Breaking The Girl (Edit)"
  2. "Fela's Cock (Previously Unreleased)"
  3. "Suck My Kiss (Live)"
  4. "I Could Have Lied (Live)"

CD single version 2 (1991)

  1. "Breaking The Girl (Edit)"
  2. "Suck My Kiss (Live)"
  3. "I Could Have Lied (Live)"

CD single version 3 (1992)

  1. "Breaking The Girl (Edit)"
  2. "Fela's Cock (Previously Unreleased)"
  3. "Suck My Kiss (Live)"
  4. "I Could Have Lied (Live)"

7" single (1992)

  1. "Breaking The Girl (Edit)"
  2. "Fela's Cock (Unreleased)"

12" single (1992)

  1. "Breaking The Girl (Edit)"
  2. "Fela's Cock (Previously Unreleased)"
  3. "Suck My Kiss (Live)"
  4. "I Could Have Lied (Live)"
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