Break It Down Again

Album: Elemental (1993)
Charted: 20 25
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The song seems to be about getting off one's duff and making big things happen. It was released after Curt Smith walked out on the group, and the group's hard core fans were concerned that the album wouldn't match up to their previous work. This song was a significant success, but it was the last song by Tears for Fears to be a major hit. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
  • Many of the songs on the album were influenced by Smith's departure. "A lot of the songs were written while I was in a sense going through the 'divorce,'" Orzabal told The Washington Post in 1993. "Things like 'Break It Down Again' refer to that to some degree, and 'Fish Out of Water,' obviously. I did psychotherapy for about six years. I stopped going regularly when I'd finished Elemental, which I think probably says something. I think I'm moving on."

    Smith returned to the band in 2004.
  • This was used in the 2013 romantic comedy The To Do List, starring Aubrey Plaza and Bill Hader.

Comments: 3

  • Linda from Atlantic CountyLove this emotional lead singer. Catchy intense tune.
  • Timothy from Aston, PaWhen I first heard this song back in 1993, I was probably one of many who thought they were saying "I touch little boys" in the one line, then I later found out they were really saying "Hot tips for the boys"!
  • Phiilp from Beer Town, Wii saw these guys (guy) at hollywood (FL) racetrack in 1994. they started their set by playing the first three songs on this album exactly in the order and the way they sound on the album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Devo

DevoSongwriter Interviews

Devo founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale take us into their world of subversive performance art. They may be right about the De-Evoloution thing.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.