Breakdown

Album: Tantric (2001)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was Tantric's first single. Three of the members - Todd Whitener (guitar), Jess Vest (bass), and Matt Taul (drums) - were original members of Days Of The New, a very promising band that made some noise with the song "Touch, Peel And Stand" in 1997. After a few incidents, Days Of The New lead singer Travis Meeks fired them, so they recruited Hugo Ferreira to sing and formed Tantric in 1998.

    It took about a year, but Tantric landed a deal with Madonna's Maverick Records, which released "Breakdown" at the end of 2000 a few months ahead of their self-titled debut album. The song went to #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart and Tantric spent the summer touring with 3 Doors Down and Lifehouse. They released another album with Maverick in 2004 called After We Go before moving to a smaller label. By 2007, Ferreira was the only original member still in the lineup. "Breakdown" ended up being their biggest hit.
  • The song is aimed at the kind of person who makes a big mess for everyone around him, but never seems to think he's doing anything wrong. "Maybe you can find the reason that no one else is living this way," Hugo Ferreira asks him in this song.
  • The music video was directed by Marcos Siega, who also did "Last Resort" for Papa Roach and "Chop Suey" for System Of A Down. It shows a kid getting bullied relentlessly at school before someone lends him a hand at the end.

Comments: 4

  • Anthony from North Cape May, NjMeeks is not doing that good at all
  • Randy from Colerain Twp., OhI am surprised that "Astounded" isn't listed- that is also a good song. BTW, how is Travis Meeks doing with the current 'Days Of The New'? It appears to me that he had pulled the same thing as Axl Rose- reforming a new band that simply isn't worth a deuce.
  • Ashley from Moncton, CanadaYes, Tantric is an awesome band, and this is my favourite song from 2001, it just plain rules.
  • Ryan from Salt Lake City, UtTantric is an awesome band with meaningfull lyrics
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.