Break Your Heart

Album: Ophelia (1998)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Natalie Merchant wrote this song of encouragement for her second solo album, Ophelia. In her 2005 VH1 Storytellers appearance, she talked about writing it. "I wrote this song 'Break Your Heart' for a lot of the young people that I know, 'young' being under 22 - I consider that young. And I just wanted to acknowledge to them that I understand that we reach a point where our innocence is lost, no matter how sheltered our lives may be. We reach a point of a certain amount of disillusionment when we realize that people struggle and they despair and they can be, at times, cruel and selfish.

    And the lesson to learn from that, hopefully, is – pardon me if I get didactic for a moment and talk about lessons – but is that even though we're surrounded at times by hopelessness or helplessness that we shouldn't feel like we have no hope and that we can't help.

    So, that's what 'Break Your Heart' is about.
  • N'Dea Davenport of The Brand New Heavies sings on this track with Merchant.
  • In the video, Merchant is seen carrying a bag of groceries up a set of stairs, while Davenport tries to navigate them with a baby and a stroller. Oblivious people bump into them and knock over Merchant's groceries, but in the end, they help each other out and find support.

    The clip was directed by Sophie Muller and shot at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.