Break Up Song (Little Mix song) explained

Break Up Song
Cover:Little Mix - Break Up Song.png
Type:single
Artist:Little Mix
Album:Confetti
Studio:Metropolis Studios
London, UK
Genre:Synth-pop
Label:RCA
Producer:
  • Kamille
  • Goldfingers
Prev Title:One I've Been Missing
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Holiday
Next Year:2020

"Break Up Song" is a song by British girl group Little Mix. It was released on 27 March 2020 as the lead single from the group's sixth studio album Confetti (2020). The group co-wrote the song with Frank Nobel and producers Kamille and Goldfingers a year before it was chosen as the album's lead single. "Break Up Song" received positive reviews from critics and it has been described it as a synth-pop track influenced by 1980s pop music. The song addresses themes of heartbreak and independence after overcoming an ex.[1]

Composition

Little Mix members Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall wrote "Break Up Song" with Frank Nobel, and producers Kamille and Goldfingers.[2] According to Thirlwall, they wrote the song more than a year prior to its release with 1980s pop music and an element of nostalgia in mind, similar to that of their 2015 single "Black Magic".[3] [4] It was one of seven songs that Edwards, Pinnock and Thirlwall composed with Kamille in a single day, after having only one melody from a previous frustrating session.[5] [6] The track's 1980s sound stemmed from a synthesiser they dabbled with in the studio.[3]

A different song was initially chosen as their sixth album's lead single with an accompanying music video already filmed. However, the group opted for "Break Up Song" at the last minute after hearing the demo again during a playback session.[3] The demo had only one verse and main line. Edwards described it as "very basic at the time. The beat was all over the place and it was really, really rough – but it just had something about it."[5] Thirlwall recalled, "We got that jittery feeling that we had with "Shout Out to My Ex" and "Black Magic" where it just felt special."[3]

Thirlwall described the track as "a very feel-good kind of empowerment song about going out and just forgetting about all your woes and troubles". It was also called an "80s-synth pop anthem" about "getting over the end of a relationship".[7]

Critical reception

Glenn Rowley from Billboard described the song as an "80s-inspired anthem that see the members celebrate their independence after ditching the deadbeat men in their lives... the foursome sing over danceable pop production on the track's pulsating chorus."[8] Lewis Corner from Gay Times wrote, "The group are back with an 80s-tinged pop anthem that’ll swoop you out of your isolation blues. 'Break Up Song' is a whopper of a return, pairing love-lorn lyrics with sky-soaring synths.".

Attitude said "After teasing the start of a new musical era, Little Mix are back today with retro-tinged, synth-slick track 'Break Up Song' – and it's making us reach for the legwarmers. As the name implies, it's a track about relationships that didn't last, and the aftermath that comes with them."[9] MTV wrote, "Little Mix officially launched a new era on Friday with the shimmering, shake-him-off anthem 'Break Up Song'. It's a high-gloss single that fuses the perkiness of 'Black Magic' and the blissful liberation of 'Shout Out To My Ex'."[10] i said "'Break Up Song' is an 80s electro-pop opener that encapsulates the jubilant energy found throughout".[11]

Year-end lists

List!data-sort-type="number"
Rank
IdolatorBest Pop Songs of 202126[12]

Promotion

A Little Mix-themed filter on Instagram was made available to the group's followers to promote the track. The song was released on 27 March 2020,[13] and on the same day a Spotify vertical video and a lyric video were both released.[14] [15] The latter was made by Kayleigh, a fan of the band from the Netherlands.[16]

Music video

Little Mix announced the official music video for the song on 7 May 2020 on their social media, and it was released a day later at 9am BST.[17] The music video, directed by Zac Ella, was semi-animated, as the planned video shoot for the song had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] The group filmed portions of the video at home using the original concept.[19] The animation of the video used felt fabric textures to depict the band. In the video, the animated part was focused on the group hosting a Good Morning Britain-style breakfast show on a television channel called LM TV. Leigh-Anne Pinnock plays a news reporter, while Jesy Nelson presents the weather forecast. Perrie Edwards plays a fitness mentor, while Jade Thirlwall tackles the latest fashion, with each of them having their own segment in their respective verses of the song. The video also includes real-life clips of the band dancing to the song while dressed in different styles of 80's clothing.[20]

Live performances

On 21 August 2020, Little Mix performed "Break Up Song" for the first time as part of the set list for their Little Mix Uncancelled concert.[21] [22] The song was later performed on the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in December 2020,[23] with member Jesy Nelson absent from the performance.[24] The song was also performed on their seventh concert tour The Confetti Tour in 2022.

Track listing

Digital download and streaming[25]

  1. "Break Up Song" – 3:20

Digital download and streaming – acoustic[26]

  1. "Break Up Song" – 3:22

Digital download and streaming – Nathan Dawe remix[27]

  1. "Break Up Song" – 3:21

Digital download and streaming – Steve Void remix[28]

  1. "Break Up Song" – 2:57

Streaming – Break Up Song – EP[29]

  1. "Break Up Song" – 3:20
  2. "Break Up Song" – 3:22
  3. "Break Up Song" – 3:21
  4. "Break Up Song" – 2:57

Personnel

Credits adapted from Qobuz.[30]

Commercial performance

"Break Up Song" reached the top ten in the UK, becoming Little Mix's fifteenth top ten single in the country.[31] It was ranked at number 33 on the list of the best-selling songs of 2020 in the UK.[32] "Break Up Song" also charted in six other countries including Ireland, Greece, and Portugal, and reached the top ten of the Australian, Euro and Switzerland Digital Songs Sales charts. It has been certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and certified gold by Pro-Música Brasil (PMB).

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2020)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[33] 4
Canadian Hot Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[34] 49
Croatia (HRT)[35] 43
Euro Digital Songs (Billboard)[36] 2
Greece (IFPI)[37] 81
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[38] 10
Netherlands (Single Tip)[39] 18
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[40] 9
Switzerland Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[41] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (2020)! scope="col"
Position
UK Singles (OCC)84
Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[42] 92
Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[43] 11
Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[44] 79

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Break Up Song"
RegionDateFormatVersionLabel(s)
Various27 March 2020OriginalRCA UK
Nathan Dawe remix
Steve Void remix
StreamingRemix EP
AustraliaContemporary hit radioOriginalSony[45]
Various10 April 2020AcousticRCA UK

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-03-24 . Little Mix to release new single 'Break Up Song' this week . 2022-09-21 . Attitude.co.uk . en . 2022-09-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922112422/https://attitude.co.uk/article/little-mix-to-release-new-single-break-up-song-this-week/23080/ . dead .
  2. Web site: Murray. Robin. 24 March 2020. Little Mix Prep New Single 'Break Up Song'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200325010137/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/little-mix-prep-new-single-break-up-song. 25 March 2020. Clash. 27 March 2020.
  3. Web site: Jade Thirlwall on how Little Mix's new era is all about having fun. Corner. Lewis. Gay Times. 27 March 2020. 28 March 2020. 28 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200328125201/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/133775/little-mix-jade-on-how-this-new-era-is-all-about-having-fun/. live.
  4. Web site: Little mix lança 'Break Up Song': 'Um aperitivo'. Portuguese. Bressani. Giulia. Revista Quem. 27 March 2020. 28 March 2020.
  5. Web site: Little Mix star Perrie Edwards talks new music, panic attacks and knitting. Savage. Mark. BBC News. 27 March 2020. 28 March 2020. 27 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327231446/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52047394. live.
  6. Web site: Entrevista: Perrie Edwards fala sobre 'Break Up Song', nova fase do Little Mix e lamenta não ter vindo ao Brasil. Portuguese. Sehn. Rafaela. Papelpop. 27 March 2020. 29 March 2020. 29 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200329054903/https://www.papelpop.com/2020/03/entrevista-perrie-edwards-fala-sobre-break-up-song-nova-fase-do-little-mix-e-lamenta-nao-ter-vindo-ao-brasil/. live.
  7. Web site: Little Mix to drop new single Break Up Song this week. The List. 24 March 2020. 27 March 2020. 26 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200326181426/https://www.list.co.uk/article/115305-little-mix-to-drop-new-single-break-up-song-this-week/. live.
  8. Rowley . Glenn . 2020-05-08 . Little Mix Unveils Video For '80s-Inspired 'Break Up Song': Watch . 2022-07-03 . Billboard.
  9. Web site: 2020-03-27 . Little Mix get real about their exes on new single 'Break Up Song' . 2022-07-03 . Attitude.co.uk . en . 2021-12-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211208053604/https://attitude.co.uk/article/little-mix-get-real-about-their-exes-on-new-single-break-up-song/23105/ . dead .
  10. Web site: Roth . Madeline . Little Mix Expertly Shake Off Their Exes On The Shimmering 'Break Up Song' . https://web.archive.org/web/20200327115958/http://www.mtv.com/news/3161422/little-mix-break-up-song/ . dead . March 27, 2020 . 2022-07-03 . www.mtv.com.
  11. Web site: Bray . Elisa . 2020-11-05 . Little Mix's Confetti shows a group who have found their voice . 2022-07-04 . inews.co.uk . en.
  12. Web site: The 30 Best Pop Songs. 3 April 2020 . 22 September 2022.
  13. Web site: Let Their New Era Begin! Little Mix Announces "Break Up Song". Idolator. Wass. Mike. 24 March 2020. 27 March 2020.
  14. Web site: Little Mix on Instagram: "Break Up Song vertical video is up on @spotify Link in stories Thank you for all the love, we've missed you guys ". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B-Pc0BsjjUl . 2021-12-24 . registration. Instagram. 27 March 2020. 27 March 2020.
  15. Web site: Little Mix - Break Up Song (Lyric Video). YouTube. LittleMixVEVO. 27 March 2020. 27 March 2020. 12 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210312085527/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa3C3blayWo. live.
  16. Web site: Little Mix's 'Break Up Song' Lyric Video Was Made Entirely By A Fan. Capital FM. 27 March 2020. Music Video. 27 March 2020. 27 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327233754/https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/little-mix/break-up-song-lyric-video-fan-made/. live.
  17. Web site: Little Mix - Break Up Song (Official Video). 8 May 2020. 21 September 2020. Little Mix. YouTube. 4 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201004122542/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zte1KtYNx6Y. live.
  18. News: Little Mix transform into felt in official music video for Break Up Song . . 8 May 2020 . 18 December 2020 . 24 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200824175115/https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/08/little-mix-drop-official-video-break-song-12672577/ . live .
  19. Web site: May 8, 2020. THE BREAK UP SONG VIDEO IS OUT NOW We were so gutted to have to cancel the official video shoot that ourselves and our team had worked so hard on. We loved the concept so much that we had to get creative to make sure you could still all see it! Hope you like it as much as we do #LMTV. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B_612gkABT_ . 2021-12-24 . registration. May 8, 2020. Instagram.
  20. Web site: Little Mix's incredible 'Break Up Song' video hits over 10 MILLION views . 2021-06-16. Hits Radio. en.
    1. AD Tonight's the night! Watch our exclusive Meerkat Music Show tonight at 8pm
    . LittleMix. 1296800186128388097. 21 August 2020. 16 September 2020.
  22. Web site: Little Mix. 21 August 2020. Little Mix - Compare The Market - Meerkat Music Presents - Holiday. 16 September 2020. YouTube. 29 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200829024644/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4bL6VyFlrA&gl=US&hl=en. live.
  23. News: Duke. Simon. Little Mix's Strictly performance song choice confirmed leaving fans 'beyond excited'. Evening Chronicle. 13 December 2020. 13 December 2020. 13 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201213201051/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/little-mix-strictly-come-dancing-19449727.amp. live.
  24. News: Pearce. Tilly. Where is Jesy Nelson as Little Mix perform Break Up Song on Strictly?. Metro. 13 December 2020. 15 April 2024.
  25. Web site: Break Up Song - Single. Apple Music (GB). 17 April 2021. 28 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200928203641/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/break-up-song-single/1504254436. live.
  26. Web site: Break Up Song (Acoustic Version) - Single. Apple Music (GB). 17 April 2021. 16 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201216024611/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/break-up-song-acoustic-version-single/1505573418. live.
  27. Web site: Break Up Song (Nathan Dawe Remix) - Single. Apple Music (GB). 17 April 2021. 17 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210417022915/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/break-up-song-nathan-dawe-remix-single/1506596356. live.
  28. Web site: Break Up Song (Steve Void Remix) - Single. Apple Music (GB). 17 April 2021. 12 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201212125749/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/break-up-song-steve-void-remix-single/1506602621. live.
  29. Web site: Break Up Song - EP. Apple Music (GB). 17 April 2021. 17 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210417022914/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/break-up-song-ep/1552748811. live.
  30. Web site: Album Break Up Song, Little Mix. Qobuz. 28 March 2020. 28 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200328174430/https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/break-up-song-little-mix/bd5i2piwaosfb. live.
  31. Web site: 24 July 2020 . Little Mix's new single Holiday is the summer smash of 2020 . 22 September 2022 . Gay Times.
  32. Web site: Copsey . Rob . The Official Top 40 biggest songs of 2020 . . 5 January 2021 . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210105064215/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-songs-of-2020__29264/ . 5 January 2021 . live.
  33. Little Mix: Chart History - Australia Digital Song Sales. Billboard. 21 April 2020. 10 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200410053325/https://www.billboard.com/music/little-mix/chart-history/AUS. live.
  34. Little Mix: Chart History - Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales. Billboard. 8 April 2020. 29 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201029215253/https://www.billboard.com/music/little-mix/chart-history/CNS. live.
  35. Web site: Croatia ARC TOP 100. HRT. 5 May 2020. 6 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200606164958/https://radio.hrt.hr/clanak/arc-100-datum-4-svibnja-2020/230056/. live.
  36. Little Mix Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales). Billboard. 8 April 2020. 28 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201028040045/https://www.billboard.com/music/Little-Mix/chart-history/euro-digital-song-sales. live.
  37. Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 13/2020. IFPI Greece. 6 April 2020. 8 February 2021. https://archive.today/20210208094946/http://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html. live.
  38. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 17, 2020. Dutch. Tip parade list from week 17, 2020. Dutch Top 40. 24 April 2020. 28 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200628162439/https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/2020/week-17. live.
  39. Web site: Dutchcharts.nl – Little Mix – Break Up Song. MegaCharts. Dutch. 3 April 2020.
  40. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 6 April 2020. 4 April 2020. 6 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200406105154/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles%3Fchart%3D4841. live.
  41. Little Mix: Chart History - Switzerland Digital Song Sales . Billboard.
  42. Web site: Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2021. Mahasz. hu. 2 February 2022.
  43. Web site: Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2022. Mahasz. hu. 4 February 2023. 3 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203044628/https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/radios/2022. live.
  44. Web site: Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2023. MAHASZ. 29 January 2024. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20240125133848/https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-slagerlistak/radios/2023. 25 January 2024. hu.
  45. Web site: Singles to Radio. The Music Network. 27 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327211159/https://themusicnetwork.com/charts/issues/1282/1282-singles-to-radio/ . 27 March 2020. Australia.

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