Wikipedia

Break My Stride

For the song which features similar lyrics, see Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream.

"Break My Stride" is a song performed by American recording artist Matthew Wilder. It was released in August 1983 as the lead single from his debut album, I Don't Speak the Language, and became a major worldwide hit single for him in late 1983 and spring 1984, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Cash Box Top 100.

"Break My Stride"
Single by Matthew Wilder
from the album I Don't Speak the Language
B-side"Break My Stride (instrumental)"
ReleasedJuly 1, 1983
Recorded1983
Genre
Length3:04
LabelPrivate-I
Songwriter(s)
  • Matthew Wilder
  • Greg Prestopino
Producer(s)
Matthew Wilder singles chronology
"Break My Stride"
(1983) 		"The Kid's American"
(1984)

The song has been covered by many artists throughout the years, including Unique II in 1996 and Blue Lagoon in 2004 (whose versions both charted highly in various places) and, in interpolations, Puff Daddy with his 1997 hit "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" and Aaron Carter on the song "Stride (Jump on the Fizzy)" from his 2001 album Oh Aaron. In 2009, it was interpolated by Matisyahu in the song "Jerusalem".

Composition

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Industry executive Clive Davis signed Wilder to Arista Records in 1981 or 1982, but Wilder was not getting the results he or the producers wanted with finding the style of music that worked for him. Poor and near the end of a frustrating period with the record label, he self-financed the recording of "Break My Stride" in the early hours of the morning at the studio of producer Spencer Proffer. "My relationship with Clive Davis was precisely the impetus for my writing the song. There are lyrics in there that are indirectly referring to the circumstances that were governing my life at that point," said Wilder. They threw a party after the recording, and had the music production team sing the chorus, which can be heard at the end of the song. However, Davis did not see potential in the song or any of the others, and his label let Wilder go. Since Arista had not paid Wilder for any of the songs, he was free to shop them around.[4]

Wilder managed to connect with record promoter Joe Isgro, who had a history of doing legally questionable things to promote and chart certain songs. Isgro released "Break My Stride" off his new record label, Private-I, and created the illusion that it was a massive hit, prompting other radio stations to start playing the song, and propelling Wilder's single into the top 5 of the US Billboard charts.[4]

In musical notation, "Break My Stride" is written in the key of E-flat major with a tempo of 108 beats per minute. The song shifts to F major for the first two choruses and then G major for the final chorus.[5]


Personnel

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Track listings

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7" single
  1. "Break My Stride" – 3:05
  2. "Break My Stride" (instrumental) – 3:05
12" single[6]
  1. "Break My Stride" (Extended Mix) – 5:10
  2. "Break My Stride" (Dub Version) – 4:02

Chart performance

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Included on his 1983 album, I Speak the Language, the single went to number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four in the UK in January/February 1984. On the US Cash Box chart, Wilder's single reached the number two position, where it remained for two weeks in early February.

A remix version reached the top 20 on the dance chart, and the song additionally hit the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, staying there for four weeks. Though "Break My Stride" was Wilder's only UK hit, he also reached the US pop chart with his next two singles, "The Kid's American" (no. 33) and "Bouncing Off the Walls" (no. 52), before turning to behind-the-scenes work on other artists' recordings.

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[33] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[34] Gold 50,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[35] Gold 45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[36] Platinum 600,000‡

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

Unique II version

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"Break My Stride"
 
Single by Unique II
from the album Level II
ReleasedAugust 23, 1996
GenreDance
Length3:10
LabelDance Pool
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Unique II
Unique II singles chronology
"Do What You Please"
(1996) 		"Break My Stride"
(1996) 		"For Tonight"
(1996)
Music video
"Break My Stride" on YouTube

In 1996, Austrian duo Unique II had its most successful hit by covering "Break My Stride". This version of the song was the first international success for the band, peaking at number one in Austria and New Zealand, as well as number two in Australia. The single also charted in Ireland, Italy, Canada, and Scandinavia.

Critical reception

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Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Yep, this is a dance-leaning cover of the Matthew Wilder '80s pop chestnut. It has already saturated radio airwaves throughout Europe, with a number of programmers here already giving it positive feedback. Highly videogenic Viennese songbird Jade Davies chirps her way through the track's Ace of Base-like reggae-inflected groove with engaging energy. She'll have little to no trouble successfully carrying this one into the hearts of folks who prefer familiarity over adventure."[37] Australian music channel Max placed the song at number 903 on their list of the "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2013.[38]

Chart performance

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"Break My Stride" peaked at number-one in Austria and New Zealand. It also entered the top 10 in Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Ireland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at number 33 in September 1996. "Break My Stride" was also a hit in Israel, where it peaked at number six, and in Canada, reaching number 18 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks and number 19 on the RPM Dance chart. The single was awarded with a platinum record in Australia and Austria. In 2002, a new remix of the song peaked at number 55 in Austria.

Track listings

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[52] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[53] Platinum 50,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Blue Lagoon version

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"Break My Stride"
 
Single by Blue Lagoon
from the album Club Lagoon
B-side"Love Is the Key"
ReleasedAugust 9, 2004
Length3:04
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Felix J. Gauder
Blue Lagoon singles chronology
"Break My Stride"
(2004) 		"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me"
(2005)

In 2004, "Break My Stride" was covered by German band Blue Lagoon and became a hit in several European countries, including Austria, Germany, Sweden and Denmark, where it reached the top ten.

Track listings

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CD single

  1. "Break My Stride" (radio edit) – 3:04
  2. "Break My Stride" (extended version) – 5:10
  3. "Love Is the Key" – 3:27

CD maxi

  1. "Break My Stride" (radio edit) – 3:01
  2. "Break My Stride" (extended version) – 5:08
  3. "Love Is the Key" – 3:26
  4. "Break My Stride" (a capella reprise) – 1:05
  5. "Break My Stride" (video)

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI)[66] Gold 150,000^
Sweden (GLF)[67] Gold 10,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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The song serves as the closing credits music for the 2011 film Cedar Rapids.[68] It was featured in a 2012 television commercial for State Insurance of New Zealand.[69] In 2019, it was featured in a U.S. television commercial for Santander Bank.[70]

The song gained more notoriety in 2020 on TikTok, as it was frequently used in TikTok videos – where users would text their friends the lyrics of the song. Matthew Wilder was thrilled at these memes, saying that the results are often bizarre but hilarious.[71] Afterwards, Wilder posted an official lyric video that featured text messages of the song's lyrics.[72]

References

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  1. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (February 11, 2020). "Got To Keep On Movin': How Matthew Wilder's '80s Deep Cut "Break My Stride" Broke TikTok". Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  2. ^ Lyons, Patrick (February 18, 2020). "The TikTok Revival of Matthew Wilder's 1983 Hit 'Break My Stride' Is Just the Latest Turn in His Unpredictable Career". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Breihan, Tom (November 15, 2022). "Puff Daddy - "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" (Featuring Mase)". The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal the History of Pop Music. New York: Hachette Book Group. p. 227.
  4. ^ a b Pollock, Bruce (October 19, 2012). "Matthew Wilder – "Break My Stride"". Songfacts. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "Break My Stride". Musicnotes. December 9, 2013.
  6. ^ "Discogs.com – Matthew Wilder "Break My Stride" 12"". Discogs. 1983. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  7. ^ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 Singles 1984". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  8. ^ "Break My Stride", Austrian Singles Chart "Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride – austriancharts.at". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2008. (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  9. ^ "Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride". ultratop.be.
  10. ^ "Top Singles – Volume 39, No. 24". RPM). February 18, 1984. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  11. ^ "Break My Stride", Dutch Singles Chart "Dutchcharts.nl – Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride". Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2011. (Retrieved July 27, 2011)
  12. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^ "Break My Stride", New Zealand Singles Chart "Archived copy". Retrieved July 27, 2011. (Retrieved July 27, 2011)
  14. ^ "Break My Stride", Norwegian Singles Chart "Norwegiancharts.com – Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2008. (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  15. ^ "Break My Stride", Swedish Singles Chart [1] (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  16. ^ "Break My Stride", Swiss Singles Chart "Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride – hitparade.ch". Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2008. (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  17. ^ "Break My Stride", UK Singles Chart "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
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  19. ^ "Break My Stride", US Hot AC [2] (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  20. ^ "Break My Stride", US Hot Black Singles [3] Archived April 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  21. ^ "Break My Stride", US Hot Dance [4] Archived April 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  22. ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending January 28, 1984". Cash Box. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012.
  23. ^ "Las canciones más populares en América Latina". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). April 9, 1984. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
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  25. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 05. týden 2020 in the date selector. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
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  27. ^ BigKev. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1984". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on May 16, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  28. ^ "Top 100 Singles of 1984 – Volume 41, No. 17, January 05 1985". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  29. ^ "End of Year Charts 1984". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  30. ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1984". Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  31. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1984/Top 100 Songs of 1984". musicoutfitters.com.
  32. ^ "Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 31, 1984. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  33. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  34. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride". Music Canada. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  35. ^ "Danish single certifications – Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  36. ^ "British single certifications – Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  37. ^ "Billboard: Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  38. ^ "THE TOP 1,000 GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME – 2013". Max. 2013. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  39. ^ "Unique II – Break My Stride". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  40. ^ a b "Unique II – Break My Stride" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  41. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3260." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  42. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3253." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  43. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3317." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  44. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 15. April 12, 1997. p. 15. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  45. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 46. November 16, 1996. p. 22. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  46. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 39. September 28, 1996. p. 20. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  47. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Break My Stride". Irish Singles Chart.
  48. ^ "Unique II – Break My Stride". Top 40 Singles.
  49. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1996" (in German). Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  50. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". ARIA. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  51. ^ "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  52. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  53. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Unique II – Break My Stride" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  54. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  55. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  56. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride" (in French). Ultratip.
  57. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride". Tracklisten.
  58. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride" (in French). Les classement single.
  59. ^ "Bluelagoon – Break My Stride" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  60. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  61. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride". Singles Top 100.
  62. ^ "Blue Lagoon – Break My Stride". Swiss Singles Chart.
  63. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 06.07.2024–12.07.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  64. ^ 2004 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved July 20, 2008)
  65. ^ "Single Jahrescharts 2004" (in German). MTV. Archived from the original on February 6, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  66. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Break My Stride')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  67. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2008" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  68. ^ "Cedar Rapids (2011) Soundtrack". IMDb. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  69. ^ "State Insurance – Ain't Nothing Gonna Break My Stride". The Coopers – Sound Design. 2012. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2019 – via YouTube.
  70. ^ "The Marathon: Santander Bank :60". Santander Bank. 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2019 – via YouTube.
  71. ^ Savage, Mark (January 30, 2020). "Break My Stride singer 'thrilled' by TikTok revival". BBC News. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  72. ^ Deville, Chris (January 29, 2020). ""Break My Stride" Singer Matthew Wilder Is Making The Most His Surprise TikTok Celebrity". Stereogum. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
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