In 'Breakdown', she demonstrates she can match the staccato, lite-reggae phrasing of her guests, two members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony." Rich Juzwiak from Slant called "Breakdown" "the song of Carey's career," noting its "lyrical strokes as broad and obvious as they are naked. Showing some admirable restraint, she nestles herself into downy-soft beats. David Browne from Entertainment Weekly praised the song, writing "for most of the album she keeps her notorious octave-climbing chops at bay. "Breakdown" garnered general acclaim from music critics. Carey was having a conflict with Columbia Records over the singles choices, as they were already not happy with the album's hip hop transition. "Breakdown" was the source of controversies when it came to its release. Release and label controversy įurther information: Number 1's (Mariah Carey album) § Label dispute This version can be found on Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's compilation The Collection Volume One (1998). Ī different edit of the song, "The Mo' Thugs Remix", features longer raps from Krayzie and Wish Bone and an intro and verse from Layzie Bone, who was absent from the original version. Aside from assisting with its writing and chord progression, Stevie J and Puff Daddy co-produced the song as well. The song contains choral lyrics written by Carey, who produced the song's melody and chorus as well. Carey's vocal range in the song spans from the note of B 2 to the high note of F ♯ 5 the piano and guitar pieces range from F ♭ 3 to G ♭ 5 as well. It features a basic chord progression of A ♭-F ♭- 1. It is set in the signature common time and is written in the key of E major. As part of "layering the song," background vocals are featured throughout the chorus and sections of the bridge. The song features rap verses by Krayzie and Wish Bone. It incorporates drum notes, including heavy beats and grooves. "Breakdown" is a slow and sultry song which blends R&B and hip hop genres. Problems playing this file? See media help. For this reason, Carey recorded "Breakdown" in order to fill in the midsection of the album and serve as the album's "backbone." Composition Ī sample of the last chorus, featuring the song's strong vocal moments backed by synth drums. "Breakdown" was one of the first of Carey's album tracks to veer in a hip hop direction, and many were surprised when she contacted Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to record the song because she was considered more of a R&B/ adult contemporary artist.Īccording to author Chris Nickson, "Breakdown" was an important component of Butterfly: "'Breakdown' showed Mariah treading forcefully into territory that was new for her and making it her own it had a melody that simmered under her vocal and a groove that was irresistible." When Carey began recording the album, she had slow and sultry ballads such as "Whenever You Call" and "Butterfly," but also had big R&B and hip hop uptempo numbers like " Honey". Ĭarey recorded the song at The Hit Factory in New York City throughout 1997. Carey, on her decision to work with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony on Butterfly.
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Their reaction was something like, 'Okay.?' I think I shock people with the ideas I have, but I believe the result is okay. I told Bone Thugs-n-Harmony I wanted to record something with them.
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The other features Carey and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony gambling in a casino.
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The first in Carey dressed in flamenco-style clothing, while dancing on a chair with two other female dancers. Of the many changes, two scenes predominantly occupy the video. In the accompanying music video, Carey goes through a variety of different colorful outfits, with matching make-up. In the United States, due to Billboard rules at the time, the song was unable to chart on the Hot 100, but charted at number 53 on the Hot 100 Airplay. The song was well received by contemporary music critics.ĭue to the song's limited release, "Breakdown" did not chart in most major music markets, with the exception of Australia and New Zealand, where it peaked at numbers 38 and four, respectively. The song's lyrics describe the emotions someone feels when their lover suddenly stops loving and leaves them, and the pain, or breakdown, it causes the person. Similar to the treatments of the " Butterfly" and " The Roof", "Breakdown" received a limited worldwide release due to Carey's conflict at the time with Sony. The song was released in early 1998 by Columbia Records as the fourth single from Butterfly. The song features rap verses by two of the five members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. " Breakdown" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album Butterfly (1997).