Break the Rules (Charli XCX song)

2014 single by Charli XCX

"Break the Rules"

Single by Charli XCX
from the album  Sucker
Released| 19 August 2014 (2014-08-19)
Recorded| 2013–2014
Genre|

* Electro-rock
* alternative rock

Length| 3:24
Label|

* Atlantic
* Asylum

Songwriter(s)|

* Charlotte Aitchison
* Steve Mac
* Tor E. Hermansen
* Mikkel S. Eriksen
* Dan Omelio
* Magnus August Høiberg

Producer(s)|

* Steve Mac
* Stargate
* Cashmere Cat

Charli XCX singles chronology
| "Boom Clap"
(2014)  | "Break the Rules"
(2014)  | "Doing It"
(2015)

|
|

Music video
"Break the Rules" on YouTube

"Break the Rules" is a song by English singer Charli XCX from her second studio album, Sucker (2014). It was released on 19 August 2014 as the album's second single. In a 2020 interview with Red Bull, XCX stated that she regrets recording the track.[1]

## Composition

[edit]

"Break the Rules" (2014)

A 20-second sample of "Break the Rules", an electronic rock song.

* * *

Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Break the Rules" is an electro-rock and alternative rock song,[2][3] set against a "propulsive" synth-pop groove.[4] The song is written in the key of E♭ major in common time with a tempo of 124 beats per minute. "Break the Rules" follows a chord progression of C5–B♭5–A♭5–E♭5–F5, and Charli's vocals span from B♭3 to C5.[5]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Cosmopolitan listed "Break the Rules" at number five on its 2014 best songs list.[6] Ahead of the release of her 2022 album Crash, Consequence of Sound ranked the song as Charli's best,[7] which she disagreed with.[8]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Break the Rules" was directed by Marc Klasfeld and premiered on 25 August 2014.[9][10] The video was filmed at Birmingham High School while class was in session, so the lyrics "getting high and getting wrecked" had to be muted during playbacks.[11] According to Charli, the video draws inspiration from films such as Carrie (1976), The Craft (1996) and Jawbreaker (1999).[10][12] It features a cameo from actress Rose McGowan, the star of Jawbreaker, as a school chaperone.[10]

## Usage in media

[edit]

The song was used in trailers for the 2015 film Goosebumps. It was also featured in the 2016 film Good Kids.[13] The song was also used in a 2016 Dish Network commercial and as the theme song of season 7 of Vietnam's Next Top Model. It is also used in both trailers for the 2020 film My Spy.

## Track listings

[edit]

* Digital download[14]

1. "Break the Rules" – 3:23

* Digital download – Remixes[15]

1. "Break the Rules" (Tiësto Remix) – 4:25
2. "Break the Rules" (Odesza Remix) – 4:00
3. "Break the Rules" (Broods Remix) – 2:52

* German CD single[16]

1. "Break the Rules" – 3:23
2. "Break the Rules" (Tiësto Remix) – 4:25

* Australian CD single – Schoolies Edition[17]

1. "Break the Rules" – 3:23
2. "Break the Rules" (Tiësto Remix) – 4:25
3. "Break the Rules" (ODESZA Remix) – 4:00
4. "Break the Rules" (Broods Remix) – 2:52
5. "Boom Clap" – 2:49

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits for "Break the Rules" are adapted from CD liner notes[18][19]

Recording locations

* Recorded at Rokstone Studios, London
* Recorded at Westlake Audio, Los Angeles
* Mixed at Hot Rock Studios

Personnel

* Songwriting – Charlotte Aitchison, Dan Omelio, Magnus August Høiberg, Tor Erik Hermansen, Steve Mac
* Mixing – Rob Orton
* Engineering – Chris Laws, Dann Pursey, Tony Lake
* Producing – Cashmere Cat, Stargate, Steve Mac
* Programming – Cashmere Cat

* Bass – Steve Pearce
* Drums – Chris Laws
* Guitar – Dan "Robopop" Omelio
* Keyboards – Steve Mac
* Percussion – Daniel Pursey
* Vocals – Bea Rexstrew, Charli XCX, Katie Littlewood, Kirstin Hume, Macy McCutcheon

|

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Break the Rules"  | Chart (2014–2015)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[20] | 10
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[21] | 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[22] | 17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[23] | 14
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[24] | 69
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[25] | 40
CIS (TopHit)[26] | 119
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[27] | 22
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[28] | 18
France (SNEP)[29] | 13
France Airplay (SNEP)[30] | 5
Germany (Official German Charts)[31] | 4
Ireland (IRMA)[32] | 46
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[33] | 62
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[34] | 31
Norway (VG-lista)[35] | 34
Poland (Dance Top 50)[36] | 42
Scotland (OCC)[37] | 15
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[38] | 13
UK Singles (OCC)[39] | 35
US Billboard Hot 100[40] | 91
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[41] | 36
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[42] | 27

### Year-end charts

[edit]

Year-end chart performance for "Break the Rules"  | Chart (2015)  | Position

|

Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[43] | 57
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[44] | 72
Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[45] | 65
France (SNEP)[46] | 59
Germany (Official German Charts)[47] | 65

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for "Break the Rules"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[48] | Platinum  | 70,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[49] | Gold  | 40,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[50] | Gold  | 200,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] | Silver  | 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[52] | Gold  | 500,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Break the Rules"  Region  | Date  | Format  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Canada  | 19 August 2014  | Digital download  | Atlantic | [53]
United States  | [54]
Australia  | 10 October 2014  | [55]
Ireland  |

* Asylum
* Atlantic

| [56]
United Kingdom  | 12 October 2014  | [57]
Finland  | 17 October 2014  | Atlantic  | [58]
Norway  | [59]
Sweden  | [60]
France  | 27 October 2014  | [61]
Ireland  | 31 October 2014  | Digital download (remixes)  |

* Asylum
* Atlantic

| [62]
United Kingdom  | 2 November 2014  | [63]
France  | 3 November 2014  | Atlantic  | [64]
Australia  | 21 November 2014  |

* CD single
* digital download (remixes)

| Warner | [17][65]
United States  | 24 November 2014  | Digital download (remixes)  | Atlantic  | [66]
Germany  | 16 January 2015  | CD single  | Warner  | [16]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Cooper, Wilbert L. "A Conversation with Charli XCX". Red Bull. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
2. ^ Villa, Lucas (19 August 2014). "Charli XCX premieres 'Break the Rules' single, announces new album 'Sucker'". AXS. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
3. ^ Menyes, Carolyn (18 August 2014). "LISTEN: Charli XCX Drops Defiant New Single 'Break The Rules', Announces New Album 'Sucker' for October [AUDIO]". Music Times.
4. ^ Wood, Mikael (2 December 2014). "Rising recording star Charli XCX brings her 'pop circus' to town". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
5. ^ "Break the Rules". www.musicnotes.com. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
6. ^ Thompson, Eliza (1 December 2014). "The 50 Best Songs of 2014". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
7. ^ Jones, Abby (16 March 2022). "Charli XCX's 10 Best Songs". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
8. ^ Charli [@charli_xcx] (16 March 2022). "Agree" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022 - via Twitter.
9. ^ Wilson, Ethan (25 August 2015). "Charli XCX "Break The Rules" (Marc Klasfeld, dir.)". VideoStatic. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
10. ^ a b c Lipshutz, Jason (25 August 2014). "Charli XCX's 'Break the Rules' Video: Watch The 'Boom Clap' Star Defy Rose McGowan". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
11. ^ Ganz, Caryn (12 December 2014). "Charli XCX: Up All Night With 2014's Breakout Pop Star". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
12. ^ Schillaci, Sophie (25 August 2015). "EXCLUSIVE: On Set With Charli XCX for Her Prom-Themed 'Break the Rules' Video". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
13. ^ Charli XCX (9 July 2015). ""Break The Rules" on the new Goosebumps Movie trailer..." Retrieved 15 November 2015 - via Facebook.
14. ^ "iTunes – Music – Break the Rules – Single by Charli XCX". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). 19 August 2014.
15. ^ "iTunes – Music – Break the Rules (Remixes) – Single by Charli XCX". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). 31 October 2014.
16. ^ a b "Break the Rules (2track)" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
17. ^ a b "Break The Rules: Schoolies Edition by Charli XCX". Sanity. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
18. ^ "Break the Rules" (CD liner notes). Charli XCX. Warner Music International. 2014.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
19. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules (2015, CD)". Discogs.
20. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
21. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
22. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
23. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
24. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
25. ^ "Chart Search". Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Charli XCX. Retrieved 19 April 2016.[permanent dead link]
26. ^ Charli XCX — Break the Rules. TopHit. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
27. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 03. týden 2015 in the date selector. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
28. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
29. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
30. ^ "Top de la semaine". Retrieved 8 February 2015.
31. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
32. ^ "Chart Track: Week 42, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.
33. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
34. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
35. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules". VG-lista. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
36. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
38. ^ "Charli XCX – Break the Rules". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
39. ^ "Charli XCX: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
40. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
41. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
42. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
43. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2015". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
44. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2015". Ultratop. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
45. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2015". Ultratop. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
46. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2015" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
47. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
48. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
49. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Charli XCX – Break the Rules". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
50. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Charli XCX; 'Break the Rules')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
51. ^ "British single certifications – Charli XCX – Break the Rules". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
52. ^ "American single certifications – Charli XCX – Break the Rules". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
53. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (CA). Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
54. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (US). Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
55. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". zdigital (AU). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
56. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (IE). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
57. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (UK). Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
58. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (FI). Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
59. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (NO). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
60. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (SE). Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
61. ^ "Break The Rules (Explicit) (2014) | Charli XCX" (in French). 7digital (FR). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
62. ^ "Break The Rules (Remixes) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (IE). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
63. ^ "Break The Rules (Remixes) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (UK). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
64. ^ "Break The Rules (Remixes) (2014) | Charli XCX" (in French). 7digital (FR). Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
65. ^ "Break The Rules (2014) | Charli XCX". zdigital (AU). Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
66. ^ "Break The Rules (Remixes) (2014) | Charli XCX". 7digital (US). Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.

## External links

[edit]

* "Break the Rules" music video on YouTube

* v
* t
* e

Charli XCX

* Discography
* Songs written
* Awards and nominations
* Live performances

Studio albums|

* True Romance
* Sucker
* Charli
* How I'm Feeling Now
* Crash
* Brat

Mixtapes|

* Super Ultra
* Number 1 Angel
* Pop 2

Soundtrack albums|

* Bottoms (with Leo Birenberg)

Extended plays|

* You're the One
* Vroom Vroom

Singles|

* "Nuclear Seasons"
* "You're the One"
* "You (Ha Ha Ha)"
* "SuperLove"
* "Boom Clap"
* "Break the Rules"
* "Doing It"
* "Famous"
* "After the Afterparty"
* "Boys"
* "Out of My Head"
* "5 in the Morning"
* "Focus" / "No Angel"
* "Girls Night Out"
* "1999"
* "Blame It on Your Love"
* "Dream Glow"
* "Gone"
* "White Mercedes"
* "Forever"
* "Claws"
* "I Finally Understand"
* "Spinning"
* "Good Ones"
* "New Shapes"
* "Beg for You"
* "Baby"
* "Hot in It"
* "Speed Drive"
* "In the City"
* "Von Dutch"
* "360"
* "Guess"
* "Apple"

Featured singles|

* "I Love It"
* "Fancy"
* "Drop That Kitty"
* "Crazy Crazy"
* "Dirty Sexy Money"
* "Girls"
* "Bitches"
* "Spicy"
* "Flash Pose"
* "Ringtone (remix)"
* "Out Out"

Promotional singles|

* "Vroom Vroom"
* "Unlock It"
* "Cross You Out"
* "2099"
* "Click"

Other songs|

* "3AM (Pull Up)"
* "911" (remix)
* "Girl, So Confusing"

Concert tours|

* Girl Power North America Tour
* Charli and Jack Do America Tour (with Bleachers)
* Charli Live Tour
* Crash the Live Tour
* Sweat (with Troye Sivan)

Related articles|

* I'm with the Band: Nasty Cherry

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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