Breakdown (Tantric song)
| "Breakdown" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Tantric | ||||
| from the album Tantric | ||||
| Released | January 9, 2001 | |||
| Genre | Post-grunge[1] | |||
| Length | 3:10 | |||
| Label | Maverick | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | Toby Wright | |||
| Tantric singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Breakdown" on YouTube | ||||
"Breakdown" is a song by American post-grunge band Tantric, released as the band's debut single and as lead single from their self-titled debut album. The song topped the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and reached number four on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The music video found substantial airplay on MTV2.
Background and composition
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".[2]
Lyrically, "Breakdown" describes a high school student filled with resentment and self-disgust. In combination with the band's acoustic-heavy sound, "Breakdown" also utilizes a digital effect at the end of the chorus.
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)[3] | 58 |
| Canada Rock (Nielsen BDS)[4] | 9 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[5] | 6 |
| US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)[6] | 1 |
| US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[7] | 4 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2001) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)[8] | 12 |
| US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[9] | 17 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | January 9, 2001 | Active rock radio | Maverick | [10] |
| Australia | May 21, 2001 | CD | [11] |
References
- ↑ Consequence Staff (May 20, 2024). "50 Best Post-Grunge Songs". Consequence. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ↑ 7 Questions With Tantric MTV.com (2001). Retrieved on 12-15-10.
- ↑ "The Hits Charts (Airplay) : Top 100 singles". Broadcast Data Systems. Archived from the original on May 17, 2001. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ↑ "Canada Album Rock: 06/05/2001-06/11/2001" (PDF). Canadian Music Network. Archived from the original on June 15, 2001. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ↑ "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. May 5, 2001. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. March 31, 2001. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Alternative Airplay". Billboard. May 5, 2001. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-70.
- ↑ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-72.
- ↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1382. December 22, 2000. p. 86.
- ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 21st May 2001" (PDF). ARIA. May 21, 2001. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2026.